How would you explain the Trinity if someone asked you right now? This is the error of Arianism (not to be confused with Aryanism, which is also bad). This analogy denies the unity of the God-head. Here are four. These hand embroidered emblems are made with metallic gold-plated thread with silver content, printed on canvas. The military would end up destroying themselves. The Son is not the Father or the Spirit. For example, triangles are not the kinds of things that are personal. If God has existed for all eternity in a perfectly loving Triune relationship, then it shows He is completely self-sufficient and requires no further relationship in order to complete or satisfy Himself. To put it simply, "The problem with using analogies to explain the Holy Trinity is that you always end up confessing some ancient heresy." . They that dont have the Holy Spirit in them will talk like the Adversary. He has been relationally fulfilled within Himself since forever. I dont believe that God wishes us to be confused about the Three that are so apparent throughout the Old and New Testaments. When we separate them we can fall into the error of tritheism, which is the worship of three individual deities as one. Water can be frozen and is called ice. When we separate them and view them as individual deities, that is the error of tritheism, which is the worship of three individual gods as one. The Trinity is one of the most foundational doctrines of Christianity. Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. Church Adornments & Worship: Vestment Emblems - Monastery Icons The problem with this analogy is that it also leads to the heresy of MODALISM. When we tend to make an analogy about the trinity we are forced to diminish one of the three trinitarian truths in order to make the analogy work. This is perhaps the most common analogy for the Trinity. Or, we can quote Daniel Webster; a strong Christian- I do not pretend fully to understand the arithmetic of heaven now. . Lost will be ashes under the feet of the righteous. In scripture we see explicit trinitarian references, especially at Jesus' baptism where the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son is in the water. The Trinity is Like an Egg How the analogy goes: The Trinity is like an egg. 5And there are varieties of ministries and the same Lord. The Spirit white is connected to Jesus Person I will come to you (John 14:18) and the Fathers Person, We will come to him and make our abode with him (John 14:23). Its downright hard to understand. The above picture is a famous work of art by Andrei Rubilev, the great medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescos. - well, sort of. The military would like to have that power. The egg (or apple) fails in that the shell, white, and yolk are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves, just as the skin, flesh, and seeds of the apple are parts of it, not the apple itself. Each separate being is co-equal, co-powerful and co-eternal. In Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). Haydn Lea is an Ordained Minister, and is currently serving as an Air Force Chaplain in Adelaide. The problem with this analogy is that no one molecule of H2O can actually exist as solid, liquid, and gas at the same time. Therefore it behoves us to know what He has revealed (including the Trinity), and to lovingly worship Him accordingly. There have been many attempts to explain the Trinity the relationship between God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God is like H2O in that the Bible may refer to a specific person of the Trinity but that person is still God. But if modalism is true, and the Trinity really is like water, then the story of Jesus (the Son) praying to the Father as recorded in the Bible seems like an awfully strange masquerade. A good example would be an electrical cord. The shell, while important, is no longer needed. The visual form of God seperated from Jesus on the cross. Love was not given to Jesus. As we examine the scriptural witness we see three truths that make up the doctrine of the trinity. Starting with the three biblical affirmations, ask your kids to show you how these examples support or deny what the bible teaches about the Trinity. If water is inadequate, there are a wide array of alternative analogies we can turn to in modern theological parlance. So God performs 3 different roles/relationships but 1 God. The problem with this analogy is it denies the unity of the God-head. Time exists as 3 things: past, present, and future. CafeLogos.orgThe Egg and i -A Simple Explanation of The Trinity Jesus, visually seen, judges all, not the Unseen Father. The 3 Most Common "Trinity Analogies" (and their limitations) The three most common go-to analogies for explaining the Trinity are water, an egg, and the sun. We came up with several practical implications of this doctrine. There are some analogies that come close. 1B) This son of Graham and Lois Armstrong is Dave. The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, constructed between 1800 and 1804, is the first Anglican cathedral to have been built outside the British Isles. Our words should dissipate and be replaced instead with an awestruck adoration and wonder, as we realise the only appropriate response is to fall to our knees and humbly worship the one truly perfect, unified divine essence, comprising three diverse, co-equal and co-eternal divine persons. The doctrine of the Trinity tells us that there's ONE GOD who is THREE distinct PERSONS existing as a community of self-giving and loving relationships with each other. Modalism is a heresy because it denies the distinction of God. The following verses attest to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). The unseen Father is in Christs mind. In using analogies, we need to acknowledge the demerits and limitations of the said analogy. This error denies something central to God that makes Him God. The trinity is like water. God is like an egg in that He is 3-in-1 God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. I think the illustration that represents the Trinity most accurately is the egg example. The Gospel is theperson, work, and message of Jesus Christ that provides salvation to all repentant believers. An egg is made up of shell, white and yolk. , 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you., For further reading on the Trinity, I would recommend James Whites, Lastly, below is a helpful graphical chart explaining the doctrine of the Trinity I found from the Christian blog by Tim Challies. Admittedly, the idea of three distinct persons/expressions that are each fully God is part of the mystery. Modernizations of this analogy include that of an apple (with the peel, the flesh, and the core) or an egg (with its shell, yoke, and white). While an egg has a yolk, a white and a shell to make up the whole, each part is only ever . The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit also exist eternally and concurrently. The Holy Spirit prays for us. An analogy illustrates that in a similar way, one shamrock can have three leaves on it, and the trinity has three persons that comprise one God. According to the first, just as water takes three forms (liquid, vapor, and ice), so too God takes the form of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So while its tough to make sense of the Trinity, the Trinity actually helps us make sense of so many things we believe. When discussing God, especially in regards to his nature, being and persons, a simple statement to articulate the Trinity is: God is 1, *. Water is water, but exists in three different forms: liquid, frozen, or steam. PART OF A WHOLE. When we look at the egg as an example of the Trinity, we must view it in its entirety. These images fall short, because these components arent enough to be considered a whole on their own. Depth isnt the same thing as height and height isnt the same thing as width, yet all three together are what comprise space. When we look at the egg as an example of the Trinity, we must view it in its entirety. At times God is Father, or Son, or Holy Spirit. Each one is fully God. It is still important that we have some understanding of the concept, however. THE TRUTH IS: The Father, Son, and Spirit are three different persons who are all equally one God. we worship one God in trinity and the trinity in unity,neither blending their personsnor dividing their essence. The problem with this analogy is that it would imply that there is only one Divine Person, who eventually multiplied Himself. He has one essenceone substance. When the Bible talks about God, it may be referring to Jesus Christ in a specific instance, the Holy Spirit in another and God the Father in a third occasion. TO AVOID HERESIES, LET US LIVE BY WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO US: 1. The problem here is it describes each part of the Trinity as 1/3 parts of the overall egg. Father, Son, and Spirit are each fully God (their own egg)- not fractions of one. His ways are not my ways! Some people falsely claim the Trinity is a form of . I dont believe that God wishes us to be confused about the Three that are so apparent throughout the Old and New Testaments. How so? Or have you ever tried to teach kids about the Trinity? They say that three separate beings exist, 2. Analogies often fall short. Therefore, in this context, God is the what and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the who. In this analogy, God is compared to a man. So, in God, there are three distinct persons. If you looked at a single cloverleaf, you wouldnt call it a shamrock. Instead, each person is co-equal, co-powerful and co-eternal. [Solved] Erickson discusses "God's Three-in-Oneness." What are the We have the creeds for just that reason. Ontological means the nature or essence of something. The very definition of the heresy known as Modalism/Oneness is that there is one person existing in three different modes or manifestations. Paul leaves the Corinthians with this blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14- May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.. In this episode, Fred Sanders discusses what it really means to say that God is a Trinitythree persons in one God. This is not an exhaustive list: For further reading on the Trinity, I would recommend James Whites The Forgotten Trinity, Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology and online articles by CARM.org. As a doctrine (belief), the trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three separate and distinct persons united in one being- God. The Biblical Principle Of Baptism By Fire, The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything, 3 Reasons Why Jesus Humanity Really Matters Her & Hymn, 3 Reasons Why Jesus' Humanity Really Matters, How Jesus Teaches Us To Be Human Her & Hymn. Perhaps we must be content to admit that we cannot fully understand Gods nature in our finitude. I go to prepare a place for you. God does not play three roles.. Each of the divine persons is GOD WHOLE AND ENTIRE, and there is one God. The Holy Spirit prays for us. The scientific analogy that will be provided in a few moments is truly inadequate to describe the Holy Trinity. Understanding the Trinity - Busy Blessed Women This may be my favorite verse of them all. And when the time comes when death is allowed to crack your shell in its final hour and your believing soul is released; the Spirit of God that holds you will carry you in His arms to your heavenly home because In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. The Trinity is one of the most foundational doctrines of Christianity. But we cannot do that (assuming we can) with God. He cares for his creation and his people. There have been many attempts to explain the Trinity the relationship between God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Relationship Analogy (Husband/Son/Father) God is like a person with different relationships just as a man can be a Dad, but also someones Son, and also someones Husband. Also, the egg is made up of three distinct and unalike parts. That is why Moses said. copyright 2009 by H.D. "The Egg and i - A Simple Explanation of The Trinity" - cafe Logos Yet there is still only one God we serve. If you say, "water" then you are incorrect. But, when it's heated, it turns into a gas (steam) and, when it's frozen, it turns into a solid (ice). One of the more traditional analogies is to the states of water. The Cathedral - The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Quebec, Canada The egg white represents Gods Spirit. Likewise we cannot have the Father or His Spirit without the Son I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by Me- John 14:6. But this idea is central to the Christian faith. Arius was condemned by the council of Nicea in 325 AD. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9). His being is somewhat of a mystery to us. Revelation 4:3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. That would not be had God be three persons. Deuteronomy 6:4- Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. This verse is also the beginning of the Jewish Shema prayer; their confession of faith. Take a moment and give it a try. Unfortunately, no analogy is perfect. God has revealed some mysteries from the Old Testament in the New Testament (the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the coming of the Messiah, salvation by grace through faith, etc.) It should bring us to realise that we truly are finite creatures standing before a sovereign, transcendent, divine mystery. We wont find the word Trinity in the Bible, but the concept is shown in many verses. In other words, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have a unique and unbreakable unity, and their existence together is the being that is God. When we think about influential New Testament leaders, most names are male. It taught there is one nature in God, and that there are two processions, three persons, and four relations that constitute the Blessed Trinity. In reality, I change my role depending on who I am interacting with. He taught that the son was at one point created by God the father. It does not imply Jesus was created if you emphasize that the Sun existed from eternity past. Martyn Iles Removed as Managing Director of Australian Christian Lobby by Board, Seven Types of Rest to Restore Your Body, Mind and Spirit, 8 witnesses testified against Hillsong founder Brian Houston in court case, wife Bobbie reveals, Why you feel guilty for not going to church, Samaritan's Purse sends 52-bed field hospital to Turkey. St. Augustine's Analogy for Understanding the Trinity Our limited intellects are unable to comprehend its reality, yet, our Scriptures and scholarly Tradition makes it known to us. The trinity is a like a Three-Leaf Clover. Water can exist in liquid at room temperature. We Christians believe it on faith. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. Some have taken on the task of explaining how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as one. Jesus Person is joined to the Father by the Fathers Holy Spirit, because Gods Spirit is also Jesus Spirit - "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Why All Analogies of the Trinity Fall Short - Joshua's Pen . Through the brokenness of the Shell, His Son, the Spirit white pours out into our beings through our faith in what was done and believers are joined with the yolk, for it is by One Spirit we have access to God the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Here many of the creeds help us in clearly articulating the trinity. God does not just change forms but exists as three persons in unity. Among the most popular analogies for the Trinity, two in particular stand out; and most of the others resemble one of them. Copyright 2023 Christian Today. Christians believe, then, that only one God exists but this God exists as a unity of three persons: a Trinity. In Arianism, the Son is not eternally equal with the Father, but was the Fathers first and best creation. In one of his sermons, he wrestled with the passage in Scripture recounting Jesus' Baptism. If then the sun were eternal, the day would never end; but now, for such is not really the state of the case, the day begins with the beginning of the sun, and ends with its ending. This analogy actually teaches the heresy of tritheism. This is a quick way to describe the doctrine of the Trinity namely, God is 1 being (the what is Gods nature, essence, being) and 3 whos (the whos being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). 3 - The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons. My intention is merely to address some common erroneous analogies, including water. Explaining the Trinity | Catholic Answers But understanding the Trinity is important. The Unseen Father and Father that is seen existed at the same time. But based on what you know that Jesus is born so that He can save people from their wrongdoings, will you trust Him to forgive you. So, part of understanding the Trinity is realizing that God is personal and relational. They are unified in one divine being. Although he is one he has different roles to different people. RELATED: Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead? The Trinity is distinct in their roles and individuality, but united in their attributes of love, mercy, holiness, knowledge, etc. Despite its potential obscurity, Trinity Sunday is a great occasion for me to revisit an old article on the Trinity. in that He is not made up of three parts one part () the Father, another part () Jesus Christ and a third part () the Holy Spirit. They suggest that only one God exists but this God transforms or morphs into each of the different persons. Matthew 3:16-17- As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Check out verse four: Holy Author, Holy Word, Holy Spirit, three we name thee; Still, one holy voice is heard; undivided God, we claim thee, and adoring bend the knee, while we own the mystery. . The beautiful depth of Gods eternal Triune nature is a sublime reality which should bring an end to our attempts to cognitively master Him. We define a person as one having a will and who is distinguishable from another person. 2:5-6; Col. 1:15-17, 2:9; Heb. None of the 3 are less divine than the others. Lost will be burned up. The Son "proceeds" from the Father, and the Holy Spirit "proceeds from the Father and the Son.". You know, that bearded guy on the throne who looks something like Zeus, right? Yet the orthodox view is that each person of the Trinity is fully divine. According to modalism, God does not actually exist in three persons. Shively One thing that Ive found helpful is using the Trinity to illustrate truths we know about God. The Son was begotten by the Father IN ETERNITY, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. But if they give us a warped idea of what they are trying to explain, they arent helpful illustrations. Did I leave out any analogies? She would explode!" Im giving God the credit for stirring this memory, and am extremely grateful. Moreover, the yoke and the whites are no longer as they used to be. The mystery is in the "how" this is accomplished; something we will finally understand in heaven. I never thought about it in that way some of these examples Ive never heard of. He is married to Shamsa Lea, is the father of Amira, and loves boxing and studying Theology. Arianism denies the deity of each person in the trinity. The concept is literally unthinkable. No analogy is perfect, but we want to be careful of using wrong ones that may confuse people. God created us for community, since God is communal and we were created in His image. They've always led to error and have been rejected by the church. THE TRUTH IS: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three different parts or components of God, but the . So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)One of my Sunday School students said, "How could Jesus (God) enter Mary's stomach (womb) and be born? The Bible teaches three truths: 1 - there is one God. Again, this analogy doesnt work because God doesnt morph, change, or become different aspects of Himself. When we speak of someone as being a "person", we often mean an individual who is separate from other people, or we simply mean a human being. Water has three states: solid, liquid, and gas. He wondered how it was possible that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit could be inseparable, while, in . Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Jesus is the visual form of God. 1:8-12; 1 Pet. The three parts create a unified whole. They have a common purpose in making harmonious music, but each note is its own separate entity. This analogy explains that the Father is like the sun.

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