Trinity and trinities (I)

God is Trinity, three in One, and One in three? Who can understand that? I have heard so many people reject the concept of Trinity because they don’t understand it. But do they, do you, understand how at the mere sound of His voice, matter came into existence, stars were flung into space and worlds were formed? Clearly they were formed, they did come into existence, and we have no clue how He did it. What I am saying, is that our lack of understanding says nothing about the truth or reality of something. And our knowledge is so, so limited. The Scripture itself tells us that “he who thinks he knows something should acknowledge that he knows nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). “We see things as but a dim reflection,” and we only know “in part” (1 Corinthians 13:9.12). But is it even in the Bible?

I am told that the history of dermatology is essentially the medical profession assigning Latin names to skin conditions they don’t understand. Likewise Trinity is a name that theologians assigned to a concept they didn’t understand, but they couldn’t deny. In particular Christianity was birthed in the cradle of mono theistic Judaism, “the Lord our God is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). At the same time, the New Testament clearly affirms both the deity of Christ (i.e. John 5:18; Philippians 2:6), and the deity of the Holy Spirit (i.e. Acts 5:3,4). But it’s not just in the New Testament! From the very beginning even before we learn that God is One, God speaks of Himself in the plural “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26). But even clearer in a passage that is fully acknowledged to be messianic, we read that the coming messiah, the child born, the son given has a number of very interesting names.

Names are important in Hebrew culture, they stands for the whole character of that person as they were known, or revealed. This is why God changed a person’s name from time to time (i.e. Genesis 17:5). So the names of the Messiah are significant. And one of the name of the child born, the son given is “Wonderful Counsellor” (i.e. Holy Spirit), another is “Almighty God” (the deity of Christ), yet another “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6). So no, the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Scripture. However, like the Latin names given to diseases that are not understood, Trinity is the name given to a concept that we don’t understand, but is clearly outlined in the Scripture. But think about it, if we understood God, we would be God! More to come!

Father, truly You are far greater, bigger more powerful and more wonderful than we can ever begin to imagine. To deliberately misquote Shakespeare “There are more things under heaven on earth than you have imagined in your theology Horatio.” We have not even begun to imagine how amazing You are! What is it for example Lord, that keeps the elders falling on their faces over and over and over in worship (Revelation 4:10)? I’m only starting to understand Father, that we will spend all of eternity in awe and wonder getting to know You, our wonderful, fascinating and amazing God. Continue to draw us to Yourself Lord, and fascinate us with Your beauty. Do it Lord for Your glory, in Jesus Name Amen