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Because Christianity converts cultures from within, the doctrinal formulas as they have developed bear the marks of the ages through which the church has passed. The rhetorical tools of Greek philosophy, especially of [[Neoplatonism]], are evident in the language adopted to explain the church's rejection of [[Arianism]] and [[Adoptionism]] on one hand (teaching that Christ is inferior to the Father, or even that he was merely human), and [[Docetism]] and [[Sabellianism]] on the other hand (teaching that Christ was an illusion, or that he was identical to God the Father). [[Augustine of Hippo]] has been noted at the forefront of these formulations; and he contributed much to the speculative [[Development of doctrine|development]] of the doctrine of the Trinity as it is known today, in the West; the [[Cappadocian Fathers]] ([[Basil the Great]], [[Gregory of Nyssa]], and [[Gregory Nazianzus]]) are more prominent in the East. The imprint of Augustinianism is found, for example, in the western [[Athanasian Creed]], which, although it bears the name and reproduces the views of the 4th century opponent of Arianism, was probably written much later.
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The basis for the doctrine of the Trinity is found in New Testament passages that associate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<ref name="BEoWR" /> Two such passages<ref name="BEoWR">"Trinity". Britannica encyclopaedia of world religions. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2006.</ref> are Matthew's [[Great Commission]]: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"{{bibleref2c|Matt|28:19}} and [[Paul of Tarsus|St Paul]]'s: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."{{bibleref2c|2Cor|13:14||2 Cor. 13:14}}
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