| Trinity and creation The Trinity can be a difficult concept to understand. Some think it a logical contradiction, others call it a mystery. The Trinity is defined as one God who exists in three eternal, simultaneous, and distinct persons known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Whilst such a definition may suffice for some, for others this explanation is insufficient. Should we be able to learn at least something about God’s attributes, power, and nature by looking at what He has made? When a painter paints a picture, at least part of what is in him is reflected in the finished picture; a sculptor also leaves his mark on the medium of his choice, and so it is not impossible to believe that God has left His mark on His creation, the universe. Basically the universe consists of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. Each of these is, in turn, made up of three components. This is not just an observation but also a good source for an analogy of the Trinity:
| Time |
Past |
Present |
Future |
| Space |
Height |
Width |
Depth |
| Matter |
Solid |
Liquid |
Gas |
With time, the past is distinct from the present, which is distinct from the future. Each is simultaneous with the others. Yet they are not three ‘times’ but one. That is, they all share the same nature: time
With space, height is distinct from width, which is distinct from depth. Yet they are not three ‘spaces,’ but one. That is, they all share the same nature: space
With matter, solid is not the same as liquid, which is not the same as gas. Yet they are not three ‘matters,’ but one. That is, they all share the same nature: matter
We are created by the Trinity (Father made us through the Son by the Spirit.)
We are redeemed by the Trinity (Son in the Spirit before the Father.)
We are given life by the Trinity (Spirit in the Son’s name for the Father.)
Some critics of the Trinity say that it is really teaching three gods, not one. They will say that God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit would make three gods since Father, plus Son, plus Holy Spirit would make three. But this is not a logical necessity. Why must addition be the criteria by which the Trinitarian Doctrine is judged? Why not multiplication whereby one times one, times one equals one. The Doctrine should stand or fall, based upon biblical revelation, not human logic and mathematics.
Although the word Trinity is not found in the Bible it does not mean that the concept is not taught there. The following verses are often used to demonstrate that the doctrine of the Trinity is indeed biblical:
Matthew 2818 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Corinthians 124-6 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works in all things in all persons.
2 Corinthians 1314 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Ephesians 44-7 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
1 Peter 12 “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may the grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.”
Jude 20-21 “but you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”
Another important point to understand about the Trinity is that it should not be surprising that it is a difficult concept to grasp. The Bible is the self-revelation of an infinite and largely incomprehensible God who exists in all places at all times. Therefore, we are bound to encounter concepts which are not easy to understand. So when we view descriptions and attributes of God, manifested in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we discover that a completely comprehensible and understandable explanation of God’s essence and nature is not possible. Therefore, what theologians, beginning with St Paul, have done is to derive from scripture the truths that we can grasp, and then combine them into the doctrine we call the Trinity. The Trinity is, to a large extent, a mystery. After all, we are dealing with God Himself.
There are cult groups who deny the Trinity and falsely state that the doctrine was not mentioned until the 4th Century AD, after the time of the Council of Nicea (325 AD). This council was called by Emperor Constantine to deal with the error of Arianism which was threatening the unity of the Christian Church. In fact, many written references were made to the Trinity by Christian leaders well before that date as the following clearly demonstrate:
Polycarp (ad 70-155/160). Bishop of Smyrna. Disciple of John the Apostle. “O lord God almighty… I bless you and glorify you through the eternal and heavenly high priest Jesus, your beloved Son, through whom be glory to you, with Him and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever” (n. 14, ed. FunkPG 5. 1040)
(Justyn Martyr (ad 100?-165?) Christian apologist and martyr. “For in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then received the washing with water.” (First Apol., LX1)
Tertullian (ad 160-215) African theologian who wrote much in defence of Christianity. “We define that there are two, the Father and the Son, and three with the Holy Spirit, and this number is made by the pattern of salvation which brings about unity in trinity, interrelating the three, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are three, not in dignity, but in degree, not in substance but in form, not in power but in kind. They are one substance and power, because there is one God from whom these degrees, forms and kinds evolve in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Adv. Prax. 23;PL)
Numerous other references to the early acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity are also made in writings by:
Ignatius of Antioch (died ad 98/117) Bishop of Antioch.
Iranaeus (ad 115-190) As a boy he listened to Polycarp, the disciple of John. He became Bishop of Lyons
Origen (ad 185-254) Alexandrian theologian.
It is the way of cults and sects to reduce biblical truth in an attempt to make God comprehensible and understandable by their minds. To this end they subject God’s word to their own reasoning and end in error.
The Trinitarian Doctrine is derived from Holy Scripture and this must be the final arbiter in such matters. The only way for us to really understand the Trinity is to believe it by faith and receive God into our lives so we may experience Him for ourselves.
| 