The Visible Holy Trinity

The Visible Holy Trinity is a study of an important, and for Christians unusual, interpretation of the mysterious visitors of Abraham in Genesis 18-19. For centuries, Christians interpreted this text as a manifestation of the Pre-Incarnate Christ together with two angels.

Around the turn of the fifteenth century, however, the Orthodox Täwahədo tradition of Ethiopia and Eritrea developed a new, characteristically Trinitarian interpretation of this text. It came to have an extraordinary influence on their theology, biblical interpretation, and understanding of divine manifestations in general. According to this perspective, contrary to the widespread belief in Christian circles, the Holy Trinity is not completely invisible. Just as the Son and the Holy Spirit, so also the Father has manifested himself to the prophets in fitting forms.

The resulting reading of Genesis 18-19 distinguished the Orthodox Täwahədo Churches from the rest of the Orthodox and non-Orthodox Churches. The interpretation of Genesis 18-19 generated theological debates and alternative interpretations; it caused controversies, some interpretations became accepted while others were condemned by the church. The development of this interpretation spans a period from the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century. This book studies its origin, its history, its theology, and its impact on the development of Ethiopian and Eritrean Christianity.