THE TRINITY
MONDAY, JUNE 9
READING:
Here is just an example of some of the great questions we received from you about the Trinity:
“Can you go more into depth about the holy trinity? I came from the Mormon faith where they believe they are 3 separate beings. How is God Jesus?”
We’re so glad you asked. As you may have seen or experienced, our church's baptisms include a confession of Jesus as Lord, followed by baptism "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." This practice reflects our belief in the Trinity: one GOD existing in three distinct persons - the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Jesus followers. Each person of the Trinity is coequal in divine power, and coeternal in divine nature and character. His very being is communal, rooted in mutual submission and transforming love.
The Trinity is admittedly a complex concept to grasp. Common analogies like water's states (liquid, solid, gas) or an egg's parts (shell, yolk, white) offer some insight, yet nothing in creation fully illustrates an infinite, eternal, all-knowing, and omnipresent GOD. Consider the distinct roles that make up your identity and personality: child, spouse, parent, friend. If you could supernaturally personify a specific part of yourself or your character - maybe as a parent and the immense love you feel for your children - what would that look like? While difficult to comprehend, the doctrine of the Trinity is also foundational and entirely unique to the Christian faith. Millard J. Erickson, in his book Making Sense of the Trinity, says it this way:
“Can you go more into depth about the holy trinity? I came from the Mormon faith where they believe they are 3 separate beings. How is God Jesus?”
We’re so glad you asked. As you may have seen or experienced, our church's baptisms include a confession of Jesus as Lord, followed by baptism "in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." This practice reflects our belief in the Trinity: one GOD existing in three distinct persons - the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who dwells in all Jesus followers. Each person of the Trinity is coequal in divine power, and coeternal in divine nature and character. His very being is communal, rooted in mutual submission and transforming love.
The Trinity is admittedly a complex concept to grasp. Common analogies like water's states (liquid, solid, gas) or an egg's parts (shell, yolk, white) offer some insight, yet nothing in creation fully illustrates an infinite, eternal, all-knowing, and omnipresent GOD. Consider the distinct roles that make up your identity and personality: child, spouse, parent, friend. If you could supernaturally personify a specific part of yourself or your character - maybe as a parent and the immense love you feel for your children - what would that look like? While difficult to comprehend, the doctrine of the Trinity is also foundational and entirely unique to the Christian faith. Millard J. Erickson, in his book Making Sense of the Trinity, says it this way:
Our view on this doctrine affects our views of other doctrines. If the Godhead does not consist of three persons equally divine and yet inseparably one, we must redefine one or more of those persons. Jesus may not be fully God, or if he is, he is a lesser deity than is the Father. The Holy Spirit is in some sense inferior to both the Father and the Son. The doctrine of the atonement is modified as well. Instead of a voluntary self-sacrifice by a member of the Godhead, it is something imposed on a human by God, and thus contains an element of injustice.
Perhaps, this mystery surrounding GOD’s nature is what we should anticipate and even desire. It's this transcendence, supernatural character, and "otherness" that underscores His worthiness of our worship and devotion. Remarkably, this awesome GOD seeks personal, intimate communion with each of us — Creator GOD desiring a relationship with His creation.
JOURNALING QUESTIONS
- What is most difficult about the concept of the Trinity for you to grasp and why?
- How does your understanding of the triune nature of GOD impact your perspective on your own relationship with Him?
- In what ways have you tangibly experienced the distinct persons of GOD (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit)?
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
God is Greater Than, Sermon by Cam Huxford
How God is Both One and Three at the Same Time, Bible Project video
Can We Explain the Trinity?, article by John Piper expounding on Jonathan Edwards teachings on the Trinity
5 Reasons the Trinity Matters So Much, The Gospel Coalition article by Kaitlin Febles
The Doctrine of the Trinity, Course of Study with video and writings compiled by The Gospel Coalition
Trinity Training, by Greg Schuette
How God is Both One and Three at the Same Time, Bible Project video
Can We Explain the Trinity?, article by John Piper expounding on Jonathan Edwards teachings on the Trinity
5 Reasons the Trinity Matters So Much, The Gospel Coalition article by Kaitlin Febles
The Doctrine of the Trinity, Course of Study with video and writings compiled by The Gospel Coalition
Trinity Training, by Greg Schuette