Understanding the Trinity
The Trinity
At the very center of the Christian faith, is the doctrine of the Trinity. “It is conveyed at Nicaea (A.D. 325) and Constantinople (A.D. 381). The doctrine is essentially that God is one in being existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons (hypostases) sharing one essence/substance/nature (homoousion).” ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity”
It seems impossible to properly use logic to explain and understand the concept of the Trinity. In fact, it is a paradox. Explaining it can be confusing and does not always make sense. But life is full of paradoxes. Dictionary.com defines paradox as: a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth: “Less is more” is a paradox often repeated in the arts and other fields. Also, any person, thing, or situation displaying an apparently contradictory nature: In the media the candidate was called a paradox—an unpopular populist. (www.dictionary.com) Synonyms are: riddle, anomaly, puzzle.
Paradoxes in Statements
Surely you heard the saying the enemy of my enemy is my friend politically speaking; you have to spend money to make money; the more you know, the more you know you don’t know; and the only constant is change. (https://www.scribophile.com/academy/what-is-a-paradox) These are paradoxes that make some sort of sense.
Paradoxes in Scripture
But more specifically as Christians we find many paradoxes in scripture. Matthew 10:39 – “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” ; • Philippians 3:7 – “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” Matthew 23:11 “The greatest among you will be your servant.”• 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (see also Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 17:33; John 12:25; Matthew 10:39; 2 Corinthians 6:8–10; Matthew 23:11) (https://www.gotquestions.org/paradox-in-the-Bible.html)
Since we have nothing to compare it to in life, explaining the Trinity appears more difficult and incomprehensible. The early Church Fathers after much discussions and council meetings, decided that the Trinity is defined as: one God with three personalities.
There exists three analogies or illustrations for the Trinity. Unfortunately, none of these analogies are absolute. Critics will tear them apart. But here they are: the water, the egg, and the shamrock.
First, there is the analogy of water. It has three properties – gas, liquid, and solid. This analogy helps illustrate how God can exist as three distinct persons while still being one essence.
Next, there is the illustration of the egg. An egg consists of three parts — the shell, the white, and the yolk. Each part is different, but together they make up one egg. This analogy is used to show how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct yet form one God.
Lastly, this illustration is probably apocryphal, but the story goes that Patrick explained the Trinity to the Irish. One day he looked down at the ground and picked up a shamrock. He showed them that the three leaves each representing the three persons or personalities of God. He later pointed that three things can also be one united thing.
The illustrations cited become merely that, a way to explain a complex idea illogical to our limited minds. The final step is to accept this concept on faith. Or take a leap of faith on the topic of the Trinity (check out my menu on the three creeds of our Christian faith). Accept the doctrine set forth by the Early Christian Church.
God
In this next section, I would like to explain the Hebrew terms for God and what they mean.
In Genesis says, “In the beginning God … The Hebrew word used is Elohim אֱלֹהִים Elohim is spelled in Hebrew as אֱלֹהִים. The term "Elohim" means “supreme one” or “mighty one.” The term Elohim appears frequently (2570 times in the Old Testament) in the Hebrew Bible and is one of the many names for God. Let’s explore some relevant verses: The creator (bringing everything into existence) Genesis 1:1(implies strength, power, and justice). Elohim is emphasized as the one true God. Deuteronomy 6:4 When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He identified Himself as “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies His eternal existence and authority. Exodus 3:14. The prophecy about the coming Messiah refers to Him as “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6: The divine nature of Jesus, who is also part of the Elohim. John 1:1.
In summary, Elohim represents God’s majesty, creative power, and eternal existence in the Bible. It’s a name that reflects His multifaceted nature and authority
Elohim in the Bible: The Name of God in Scripture (biblestudytools.com)
In the book of Psalms is says, “The Lord is my shepherd”…Yahweh is used. YHWH . The name is also Latinized as Jehovah. In the book of Exodus, God reveals the name Yahweh to Moses at the burning bush. When Moses asks for God’s name, God responds, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14 God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that “Yahweh” has sent him to lead them out of Egypt (Exodus 3:15). The name Yahweh signifies God’s eternal existence, self-sufficiency, and faithfulness to His covenant with the Israelites. It emphasizes God’s personal relationship with His people and His role as their deliverer, protector, and provider.
The last word for God is Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) is a “Hebrew word that translates as “Lord” or “Lord Master.” Its derivation implies sovereignty. Throughout the Old Testament, people used the term Adonai when addressing humans who were their masters or lords. In Jewish theological teachings, the name Adonai serves as a respectful way of referring to God, recognizing His supreme authority and holiness. It is often used as a substitute for the sacred (YHVH) and emphasizes God’s majesty and lordship. So, in summary, Adonai is a significant name for God in Hebrew, signifying His lordship and sovereignty.”
https://hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/Adonai/adonai.html
In the book of Psalms is says, “The Lord is my shepherd”…Yahweh is used. YHWH . The name is also Latinized as Jehovah. In the book of Exodus, God reveals the name Yahweh to Moses at the burning bush. When Moses asks for God’s name, God responds, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14) God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that “Yahweh” has sent him to lead them out of Egypt (Exodus 3:15). The name Yahweh signifies God’s eternal existence, self-sufficiency, and faithfulness to His covenant with the Israelites. It emphasizes God’s personal relationship with His people and His role as their deliverer, protector, and provider. https://www.bing.com/
The last word for God is Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) is a “Hebrew word that translates as “Lord” or “Lord Master.” Its derivation implies sovereignty. Throughout the Old Testament, people used the term Adonai when addressing humans who were their masters or lords. In Jewish theological teachings, the name Adonai serves as a respectful way of referring to God, recognizing His supreme authority and holiness. It is often used as a substitute for the sacred (YHVH) and emphasizes God’s majesty and lordship. So, in summary, Adonai is a significant name for God in Hebrew, signifying His lordship and sovereignty.”
https://hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/Adonai/adonai.html
In summary, there were three names for God. Elohim was the creator. Yahweh was the lord. The third was the replaced name, Adonai, used by the religious leaders so not to make any mistake in mispronouncing the name for God. The Trinity remains a paradox. Trinity is three personalities and one essence or God head. There is no interchange from one personality to the other. This transforms from one personality reveals modalism and not Christian Doctrine. The Nicene Creed and the agreement of the Early Church fathers supported definition of the Trinity which we Christians accept today. The illustrations cited above appear as paradoxes, a way to explain a complex idea illogical to our limited minds. The final step is to accept this concept on faith. Or take a leap of faith on the topic of the Trinity (check out my menu on the three creeds of our Christian faith).
