Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 8/24/2004

Question
HI,
I was wondering if you could tell me, as i am having an argument with a friend, if the following statements are true or false.  We are arguing about who knows more about the catholic religion, and we have different viewpoints to the following three questions.
 1.) "There are three Gods within one divine personality"   T or F
 2.) "God the father is greater than God the Son and God the Holy Spirit"  T or F
 3.) "When Jesus became man He dide not cease being God"  T or F

Thanks for your time
Emily

Answer
                     Peace

Dear Emily--

Catholic Teaching

Trinity: This word is used by Catholics (and others) to summarize the Apostolic  teaching that within the one true God is three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost(Spirit). They share the same substance so that there are not three Gods, but three persons in the one.
 It is true that Jesus, who is true God, assumed an earthly body when he was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Blessed Virgin, Mary. This body, now glorified, continues to exist. But since the Lord only took on human flesh in these "last days," and since God has always existed, without beginning or end, we must still conclude that having a body is not part of God's unchangeable nature: He exists in eternity as pure spirit, even though he chose for the Son to also take on a human nature in addition to his bodiless, timeless, divine nature.

When Christ spoke of the Father being greater then himself,the context shows He was speaking of His assumed Human nature.
 If You read John 1:1 in most Bibles, you will see the Word (meaning Jesus) was eternal God and shall remain as such.

      Your servant but His First
             george