A Discussion on the Trinity
by Reed on Aug.03, 2009, under CRCC, Thoughts
As we entered into our four week series on the Trinity, a central doctrine of the Christian faith (a doctrine, in fact, without which our salvation, worship, and fellowship might simply crumble into dust) I felt it important to bring into focus both how the knowledge of God arises in us as well as what we might understand of God once such knowledge is received.
With regard to the basic knowledge of God, it is important for us to consider two facts. First, it seems evident that for some a review of nature and its wonder, the universe and is awesome magnitude, that is, taking in the whole of creation insofar as we able to do so, points toward the plausibility of a creator. For sure, the bible suggests that the heavens declare the glory of the Lord and therefore can point us to this fact (Psalm 19:1). However, it seems that there is a limit to what such “natural” revelation might lead us to discover. Whereas we might ascertain that there is a creator, we do not know from our knowledge of the universe whether that creator is even still present let alone whether such a being would be good and loving in character and action. To know such things, and even deeper things such as the very essence of God, rather than his nature or actions, would require some other form of knowledge that we might receive elsewhere.
That being the case, from a Christian perspective, if we are to know God’s character and essence it is important that we supplement our own observations of the universe with what God might reveal about himself to us apart from such natural observations. To many theologians…
[our knowledge of God] …is not predicated upon any human capacity or mode of thinking, but upon the initiative of God in making himself known to us and reconciling the world to himself.” Murray Rae in Trinitarian Soundings in Systematic Theology
In this regard, Rae calls us to consider what Paul implies in 1 Corinthians 12:3 when Paul writes “…no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” While anyone with vocal chords produce the vocalization “Jesus is Lord” the point is that no one can truly know who Jesus really is, Lord above all, apart from the intervention of the Holy Spirit in our lives prior to or in support of that knowledge (see also Matthew 16:16-17). My contention in the message I preached on Sunday was this: The direction of deep knowledge about God must flow primarily from him to us, not us to him. This basic point seems to be a necessary foundation from which to begin the study of the doctrine of the Trinity. If we are to know who God really is, we will need to supplement what we can perceive of him in general and our own understanding what is possible and logical with what he has revealed of himself through his word, according to his desire.
This being said, I have some questions for you to consider before we move on later this week to specific scriptural references that bring us to the doctrine of the Trinity.
- Can you know God’s essential nature and essence only through ‘natural revelation’? Does Romans 1:18-20 suggest that you can?
- What role does scripture play in revealing the very nature or essence of God beyond such natural revelation?
These are the questions we’ll begin with as we study the Trinity together as a congregation… let the discussion begin (and if you’re reading this on email log on to my blog at reed.teammueller.com and post your responses there so we all can benefit from the discussion).
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The Trinity: Importance and Reception - Reed Mueller
August 5th, 2009 on 3:13 pm[...] It was received through the content of the revelation that the Church has held dear for nearly 2000 years. It wasn’t thought up, but accepted as truth revealed to us in the pages of Scripture. Remember, we know what we know about God in his essence because he reveals it to us (link). [...]
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I'm Reed Mueller, pastor of Columbia Ridge Community Church. Feel free to read what pops out of my head and onto the web, then join in the discussion if you want.
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August 3rd, 2009 on 5:08 pm
I believe that the verse in Matthew is saying we can know there is God by natural revelation – I am not sure this is the same thing as receiving Jesus as your savior – can we know there is God and not be saved? For example human beings who were/are never reached with the Good News. Does God reveal himself to some who never follow up on that revelation because the more they know and understand the more they are held to do and live the right way – is this hardening the heart?
August 3rd, 2009 on 5:14 pm
God has reached out to man, and is perceived by man, in three modes:
1. We see God as the GREAT god, the creator of all. This is the God who inspires us with awe at the wonder of his work, he is so BIG, the transcendant God.
2. We also experience God through his movement on our own hearts and spirits. This is the small God that permeates and touches our souls, the immanent God.
3. But in real, practical terms, God appears to us in the person of his representatives, mostly people, sometimes angels, very definitely the personal God.
It is the ultimate personal God, Jesus, who crowns humans’ perceptions of God. Of course, Christian theologians systematized these three perceptions of the one true God into the Trinity. The Trinity is not at all about three Gods, but about our limited human ability to perceive God. We need three conceptions of God to help us approach an understanding of God. It is an approach to understanding, provided by God himself, but in no way a definitive understanding of God. But entirely sufficient for those sincere and humble enough to stand in awe, experience the intimacy and selflessly serve their fellows.
August 5th, 2009 on 8:37 am
@Herb – your thoughts mirror what I recently reread in Lewis’ Mere Christianity:
Many people wonder what the significance of the Trinity really is. Both your thoughts and Lewis’ seem to suggest that it is significant in a much deeper and more personal way than we could ever really grasp, which leads us to awe and humility simultaneously.
@Sharon – There are a variety of opinions on this within Christian theology. Briefly, restrictivists would say that unless you have explicit knowledge of Jesus and confess him as Lord by name you cannot be saved, inclusivists suggest that someone who has never heard of Christ, yet who responds to the revelation God has provided them to the extent they can may be saved, but that this salvation is still only possible in Christ. Another view, which is less widely held in the conservative Christian community, is universalism, which comes in two strains. One strain suggests that all people will be saved regardless of their response to the revelation that receive in this life. The second strain, which some call biblical universalism, suggests that only all are offered salvation and will receive it unless they explicitly reject it. At least that’s how I’ve understood the term.
I have friends in all camps, though I disagree with some more than others. Where do I end up? I am more of an inclusivist than anything (see Romans 2:14-16), though this position certainly has weaknesses. For me, I always come back to an essential trust of God, who, in wisdom beyond anything we can imagine, is working out the issue of salvation in a way that we all will one day see as completely wise and good.
@Rick – Also Rick Hawley posted this comment on my Facebook page:
August 5th, 2009 on 9:08 am
There are so many things we won’t know fully until we are in His presence, but when we are I believe we will be fully satisfied and see the fairness and rightness of all He has done. As I get older I learn more and more everyday to let Him handle things and the more and more I do the more peace I have. It thrills my heart to stop and think He is there and will handle this or that. I will keep my eyes on Him whatever may come.