R.C. Sproul on the Trinity
One substance, three persons, co-equal and co-eternal
"In God there is one essence, but three subsistences... They are all of the same essence... We say the Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Spirit is God, but we don't say that the Father is the Son... One essence, three subsistences."
THE POSITION
States the historic formula with precision: one essence (ousia), three subsistences (hypostases) — Father, Son, and Spirit each fully God without being each other. Grounds it in Hebrews' description of the Son as "the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person."
1 On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
17 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Founder of Ligonier Ministries and teaching elder in the PCA. Chaired the drafting committee for the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy; best known for The Holiness of God and for popularizing Reformed theology — the five solas and TULIP — for a lay audience.
Cite this page
"R.C. Sproul on the Trinity", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/sproul/trinity (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/sproul/trinity).