How do you explain the Trinity?

[VARob]

Hello VARob, the doctrine of the Trinity hasn't continued to be accepted within the whole of the historic Christian church (IOW, Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox) over millennia because it is some sort of "settled theology" that no one bothers to investigate anymore. Rather, it continues to a hot topic that is thoroughly vetted by our seminarians and Bible college students, theologians, pastors, priests and the laity, etc., year after year after year (yet the same conclusion about the doctrine continues to be reached).

That's not true. I know several well-studied people who were once staunch Trinitarians. They no longer hold that view.

You know, we (meaning all of the churches that fall within the pale of Christian orthodoxy, that is) seem to fight and bicker endlessly over a number of different teachings/doctrines/etc., but when the entirety of the church continues to stand as one on a particular doctrine (as we do with the Trinity), and that w/o any variation in our teaching about it whatsoever, I would think it, at the very least, worthy of additional consideration by any who stand in opposition to it.

That's not true. Trinitarians frequently argue amongst themselves as to what, exactly, the doctrine of the Trinity is, and how it is to be understood. It even occasionally happens here on this forum.

God bless you!!

~Deuteronomy

God bless you too.

 

[Mem]

I can certainly understand your reluctance to ascribe the position of God to any other than the One true god.

And in the other sense, I cannot understand your reluctance to attribute full honor to God if it is, indeed, due Him.

 

[VARob]

Yea, its the is but is not that gets confusing I'm sure. I can agree we might understand His ways, such as why is He mindful of the son of man that He cares for them since human 'understanding' in this case is a sympathy rather than a perception. That is we wouldn't give two thoughts to anyone that disregards us as God if we were god, so we don't understand why god would care so much as to the extent of saving us from death. And we might not be able to even imagine the extent of His power and what He would do with it but we can certainly get to know Who He is if He Himself expressed the desire that we would,

I think the Bible is clear that God does want us to know who He is, and who His Son is.

and this is an identity conversation. And the definition of identity is, is = is so the is=is not would certainly complicate the discussion but that doesn't mean we should engage in it.

Where does the Bible EVER say or teach that God is a Trinity, a triune being, or three in one?

 

[VARob]

And in the other sense, I cannot understand your reluctance to attribute full honor to God if it is, indeed, due Him.

I am not in any way reluctant to attribute full honor and glory to God. And it most certainly is due Him.

 

[bluto]

First of all God is "NOT" illogical, He at times may be a-logical which means He can go beyond logic, but He is not illogical. Secondly, the doctrine of the trinity is not an "assumption". It is the normative systematic theology of God in Christianity and is based on the fact that the Bible is explicit in telling us that there is, was and forever will be only ONE God AND the fact that the Bible identifies three (and only three ) persons as God.

The obvious question is how so? The one God of the Bible is identified by (1) His names. This means He is called God either directly or indirectly, usually both. For example, it's rather obvious God the Father is called God. The Son is identified as God by some of the Apostles including Thomas at John 20:28. The Holy Spirit is identified as God at Acts 5:3-4.

(2) His titles. (Lord, king, savior, etc) Savior at Isaiah 43:11, "I, even I, am the Lord; And there is no savior besides Me." What about Jesus? Luke 2:11, "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

(3) His unique attributes or characteristics of God. (omnipresence, omnipotence, and His eternality. ) Isaiah 41:4, "i, the Lord, am the first and last, I am He." Revelation 1:8, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is anbd who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Vs17-18, "Do not be afraid, I am the first and the last, vs18, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." Also Revelation 22:12-13.

(4) His unique actions. Credited with, creation, origin of God's word, salvation of men and/or creation, etc. Isaiah 44:24, "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb. I, the Lord, am the maker of ALL THINGS, Stretching out the heavens BY MYSELF, And spreading out the earth ALL ALONE." Genesis 1:2 regarding the Holy Spirit. "And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters."

Regarding Jesus at John 1:3, "All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him NOTHING CAME INTO BEING THAT HAS COME INTO BEING." Colossians 1:16, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--ALL THINGS HAVE BEEN CREATED BY HIM AND FOR HIM."

(5) His worship. Worshipped and/or given the honor, reverence and position due to God ALONE. I'm not talking about bowing down in "obeisance" or curtsy. Jesus said at Matthew 4:10, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." The Greek word for worship is "proskuneo." That same word was used at Hebrews 1:6 when referring to Jesus, "And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, (the Father says), And let all the angels of God worship Him."

Please note, I am NOT saying that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all consistently, equally and in every mention identified as God in every place they are represented in the Bible by any combination of these 5. Nor am I saying that each person of the trinity is represented equally by ALL FIVE of these means of identifying God. Lastly, I do not believe the trinity is a REQUIREMENT for salvation. It is the RESULT of salvation, for you cannot know Jesus and somehow miss the fact that He is God. You cannot have experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit of God and somehow miss that He is God. Please read Romans 8:9-11.

IN GOD THE SON,,
bluto

 

[Mem]

here does the Bible EVER say or teach that God is a Trinity, a triune being, or three in one?

so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father." And, if you accept that the Holy Spirit is in the Father and the Father is in the Holy Spirit then why should you not accept that so is Jesus in the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit is in Him?

 

[Deuteronomy]

That's not true. I know several well-studied people who were once staunch Trinitarians. They no longer hold that view. That's not true. Trinitarians frequently argue amongst themselves as to what, exactly, the doctrine of the Trinity is, and how it is to be understood. It even occasionally happens here on this forum.

Hello again VARob, you can always find "individuals" who disagree with just about anything (especially on the Internet), but the point that I was trying to make in my last post was not about them. Rather, it was about what our 'churches/denominations' have believed and taught historically, and what they (all) continue to believe and teach today, w/o variation between them.

As for those who profess to be Trinitarian, yes, I have seen some slight variations in belief over my last 20+ years of posting out here in online Christendom, but it's hardly the majority opinion (in fact, it could barely be considered a minority opinion, even in the online world). Rather, those who call themselves "Trinitarian", but disagree with one part of the doctrine or another, never seem to thoroughly understand what the doctrine is teaching and why. Once they do, I've found that they either amend their errant belief(s), or they come to the conclusion that they really aren't Trinitarian in their beliefs after all.

~Deuteronomy

 

[Magenta]

God does not share His glory with anyone. Yet Jesus says in John 17:5 ~

And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8

I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. Isaiah 43:11

Is Jesus your Savior?

God exalted Him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

[bluto]

I am not in any way reluctant to attribute full honor and glory to God. And it most certainly is due Him.

Would you do the same for the Son according to John 5:23?

IN GOD THE SON,
bluto

 

[Nehemiah6]

Where does the Bible EVER say or teach that God is a Trinity, a triune being, or three in one?

Where does it not? The first verse in the Bible tells you that God is a triune God who said "Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness" (Gen 1:26). The plurality is in the Hebrew because the word Elohim for God is also plural. (Any Hebrew word ending in "-im" is plural). This is also why Jesus said this: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of [1] the Father, and of [2] the Son, and of [3] the Holy Ghost: (Mt 28:19).

 

[JaumeJ]

Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

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Our Maker told Moses , I will be what I will be. Believing this is so, though not able to fully understand this is done by faith. Either God was truthful in this saying , and He does not lie, or a person does not have faith enough to believe. This should comfort any in knowing that God is thse Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet ONE.


Isaiah was blessed to teach us that the Child born uno the virgen would be called the Everlasting Father, God Almighty, Comforter, Counselor, Ruler of peace and He is so much more, yet He is One. Have faith and believe. This mystery will all be truly understood come the Return of God to His Children. Hve faith.

 

[Bob-Carabbio]

Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

I don't try to "Explain the Trinity". The Bible presents the FATHER, the SON, and the Holy Spirit. That's enough.

 

[resto]

I just say that If Adam was a direct representation of God. With a Mind Body and Soul(Spirit). Then every Human after Adam is the same, a Trinity. My Trinity Mind Body and Soul are contained in my Body(Flesh). God is also a Trinity. Mind(God The Father) Body (God The Son, Jesus) and Holy Spirit (God The Spirit). So if I am face to face with you and you are talking to me you are talking to my Trinity all in one place. If you turn and face away from me and keep talking, are you talking to my body? No, you cant see my body. You are probably talking to my mind and spirit. You probably sense my presence conveyed by my audible voice. But both are still in my Body, you just cant see it. Same as on the phone, but on the phone my voice is digital electronics, that is not my voice you are hearing. My voice was turned into electricity and there is a minute lag time. So you are talking to my mind and I answer from my thoughts, BUT Im still together just not all in one place where you are. Whoa I just blew my own mind, I need Ice Cream.

 

[Magenta]

My Brain Hurts. I need Ice Cream

Whoa I just blew my own mind, I need Ice Cream.

I hope you get some! .

 

[resto]

I hope you get some! .

I had a pint of Butter pecan Hagen Daas and a drumstick. I feel better now.

 

[Gojira]

Dearest Sisters and Brothers
I was reading different analogies and it seems many of them are considered hersey. (water, ice and steam etc.)
Is there a simple way to explain the Triune that doesn't go against Christianity's teachings? What does the Bible say?

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I am not sure you can explain the Trinity. I think that if we could understand God in this way, He may cease to be God or we'd be God. It's just one of those things that make God, God.

My best analogy stinks, but here it goes: 1+1+1=1

 

[The_Watchers_2017]

what fascinates me is in the Old Testament, JESUS, told Moses He was Elohim, LORD, YHWH, MOST HIGH GOD, Yahweh = the WORD

and He also told Moses, He was [To Be], and this Name became so Sacred no Hebrew or Jew even mutters it. We know it means : TO BE our Sacrifice and SAVIOR + Messiah!

in the New Testament, to be a Blood Sacrifice and Role Model for how we should live as a Follower of God, JESUS, plays a SON!

Clearly, Jesus, at any time can be All these things because ultimately He is the WORD!

 

[Webers.Home]

.

My best analogy stinks, but here it goes: 1+1+1=1

It appears to me that Ezek 1:1-28 is saying God wears four hats instead of
only three.
_

 

[KlND]

Thank you everyone, very interesting discussion and opinions.
I don't always word things the best. Explain or Proclaim etc.
I have faith (and much Love) in God, Jesus and Holy Ghost.
I guess I was just looking for an easy way to explain the Triune simply. Like if I was explaining it to a child.
I found this and would like to share it. Trinity <---Link
Keep up the great info. and posts.
God Bless you all.

 

[Gojira]

.



It appears to me that Ezek 1:1-28 is saying God wears four hats instead of
only three.
_

That's not what that means.