The concept of Threefold division in Christianity
The Threefold division in Christianity encompasses several interpretations across different traditions. It includes the layout of the Temple with its court, holy place, and holy of holies, symbolizing levels of divine access. In Eastern Orthodoxy, it classifies hierarchies into three roles. The Catholic Church categorizes spiritual sense into allegorical, moral, and anagogical types, and also presents a philosophical division into moral, natural, and rational aspects. Early Christianity references Aristotle’s classification and the Peratae's division of the universe, further illustrating this concept.
Synonyms: Triple division, Tripartite, Tripartite division, Tripartition, Triad
In Finnish: Kolminkertainen jako; In Swedish: Tredelning; In Dutch: Drievoudige verdeling; In Spanish: División triple; In German: Dreiteilung; In Malay: Pembahagian tiga kali ganda; In Dutch: Drievoudige deling; In French: Division triple
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Threefold division'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) In the posterity of Adam himself, in which occurs a threefold division as to moral differences.[1] (2) This refers to a classification system with three main categories used by Dr. Neander to organize and understand different types of writings.[2] (3) Aristotle's classification of substance into genus, species, and individual to explain the nature of existence.[3] (4) The division of the universe into three parts as proposed by the Peratae, highlighting different aspects of existence.[4]
From: The city of God
(1) This refers to Plato's division of philosophy into moral, natural, and rational parts, each contributing to the study of wisdom through action, contemplation, and discernment.[5] (2) The threefold division is a way of categorizing science into three parts: physical, logical, and ethical, or natural, rational, and moral, as discovered by philosophers.[6]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) The categorization of the spiritual sense into three types: allegorical, moral, and anagogical.[7]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) The structure of the sanctuary into court, holy place, and holy of holies, symbolizing different levels of divine interaction and access.[8] (2) Describes the layout of the Temple consisting of a court, holy place, and holy of holies.[9]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) The classification of Hierarchies into three distinct levels: the Divine Mystic Rites, inspired experts, and initiates, each serving a unique role.[10]