Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
“In the use of this phrase concerning our Lord we mean to assert that he was ‘the very and eternal God.’ It is a more proper expression than ‘the divinity of Christ,’ since this latter does not necessarily imply anything more of our Lord’s nature than that it was godlike, or of heavenly origin whereas the term ‘Deity’ contains in it the notion of essential Godhead. The other expression, however, has prevailed, on account of the word ‘Deity’ having come to be so commonly used as the concrete instead of the abstract sense, to denote a divine Being.” — Eden, Churchman’s Dictionary, s.v. SEE CHRISTOLOGY, TRINITY.