"The Trinity"

Why do we as Christians believe in the Trinity?  I think we all know the answer is pretty simple, we believe because the Bible teaches that God is a Trinity of three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.  Yes, we also know this is not an easy concept to grasp.  It is very difficult to comprehend how three “persons” can all be one God. Of course, our human existence limits our ability to understand.  Some think it is a logical contradiction. Others call it a mystery.  The Scripture most often cited as proof of the Trinity is Matthew 28:19–20.  It is the Great Commission Jesus gave to His apostles:  "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."  At first it might look like Jesus’ baptismal formula includes three figures; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit except he then tells them “I have commanded you” and “I am always with you.”  So He is telling the apostles, and ultimately us, that He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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.  This definition may be enough for some, but for others it isn’t.  There are several analogies used to try and explain the Trinity and all of them fall a little short. But allow me to use one that I found from Matt Slick, President and Founder of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry.  Of all the analogies I’ve heard this one works best for me.  Look first at Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

This verse tells us God's attributes, power, and nature, can be clearly seen in creation.  What exactly does that mean?  Should we be able to learn about God's attributes, power, and nature by looking at what He has made?  Certainly.  When a painter paints a picture, some of his personality, some of what makes him who he is can be seen in the painting.  Likewise, when a sculptor creates a work of art, it is from his heart and mind that the source of the sculpture is born.  The work is shaped by his creative ability.  The creators of art leave their marks, something that is their own, and something that reflects who they are.  Is this the same with God?  Has God left His fingerprints on creation?  Of course He has.  So, consider this.  The universe consists of three elements: Time, Space, and Matter. Each of these is comprised of three 'components.' For Time it is Past, Present, and Future.  For space it is Height, Width, and Depth.  For matter it is Solid, Liquid, and Gas. 

As Christians we believe each of the persons of the Godhead is distinct but they are all each God.  As with time, for example, the past is distinct from the present, which is distinct from the future.  Each is simultaneous, yet they are not three 'times,' but one.  They all share the same nature: time.  With space, height is distinct from width, which is distinct from depth, which is distinct from height.  Yet, they are not three 'spaces,' but one.  Again, they all share the same nature: this time it is space. And likewise with matter, solid is not the same as liquid, which is not the same as gas, which is not the same as solid.  Yet, they are not three 'matters,' but one.  

Isn’t it curious that there are three sets of threes?  In other words, there is a trinity of trinities.  If we can look at the universe and notice these qualities within it, isn’t it fair to say then that these are the fingerprints of God upon His creation?  I think so.  Not only is this a simple observation, something that we can really understand, but I like this as a good source for an analogy of the Trinity.

Some non-believers of the Trinitarian doctrine say that the Trinity is really about three gods, not one.  They say that God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit make three gods, since the Father plus the Son plus the Holy Spirit would make three.  But why do we have to add each to come out with three.  Instead of adding, why not multiply?  One times one times one equals one.  Who says it must be addition by which the doctrine is judged?  I don’t think it has to be.  The doctrine should stand or fall based upon biblical revelation, not human logic.  So we may not be able to completely understand it.  We may not be able to convince everyone that it is true.  But, I think, we can rest assured that the Bible tells us it is true, God’s creation of nature gives us a glimpse that it is true, so we need only believe it.

 

—Ed Olson