Exploring the Mystery of the Trinity

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the Trinity, we began by revisiting the Old Testament's affirmation of monotheism, the belief in the oneness of God. This foundational concept is not only present from the beginning of creation but is also intricately woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments. While the Old Testament does not explicitly define the Trinity, it offers subtle hints, such as the plural form of the name Elohim, which, when accompanied by a singular verb, suggests a complex unity within the Godhead. This is not a definitive proof of the Trinity but rather a literary device that hints at the depth and majesty of God's character.

The New Testament continues this theme, affirming monotheism while also revealing the multi-personal nature of God. The Apostle Paul, in his address at the Areopagus, speaks to the Athenians about their altar to an "unknown god," using it as a springboard to proclaim the one true God who created all things. This God, Paul asserts, is not confined to temples or idols but is the source of all life and existence. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians, Paul reaffirms the oneness of God while acknowledging the deity of Christ, illustrating the complex unity of the Trinity.

The New Testament is replete with affirmations of Christ's deity, particularly in the Gospel of John. Jesus' "I am" statements echo the divine name Yahweh, asserting His eternal existence and divine nature. The post-resurrection encounter with Thomas further underscores this, as Thomas addresses Jesus as "My Lord and my God," a declaration of Christ's divinity that Jesus accepts without rebuke.

The doctrine of the Trinity is not a human invention but a reflection of the biblical witness to God's nature. The triune formula for baptism and the benedictions found in the New Testament further affirm this understanding. The opening verses of John's Gospel encapsulate this mystery, presenting the Logos as both distinct from and yet fully God. This profound truth has been a cornerstone of Christian theology, shaping our understanding of God as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- The Old Testament subtly hints at the Trinity through the use of the plural form "Elohim," suggesting a complex unity within the Godhead. This literary device points to the depth and majesty of God's character, inviting us to explore the mystery of His nature. [01:12]

- The New Testament affirms monotheism while revealing the multi-personal nature of God. Paul's address at the Areopagus highlights the one true God who transcends temples and idols, emphasizing His role as the creator and sustainer of all life. [09:44]

- Jesus' "I am" statements in the Gospel of John assert His eternal existence and divine nature, echoing the divine name Yahweh. This profound claim to deity is further affirmed by Thomas' declaration, "My Lord and my God," which Jesus accepts without rebuke. [19:38]

- The triune formula for baptism and the benedictions in the New Testament reflect the church's understanding of the Trinity, a doctrine rooted in the biblical witness to God's nature as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [21:04]

- The opening verses of John's Gospel present the Logos as both distinct from and fully God, encapsulating the mystery of the Trinity. This profound truth has shaped Christian theology, inviting us to contemplate the unity and diversity within the Godhead. [21:51]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Old Testament Monotheism
[01:12] - Elohim and the Plurality of God
[02:52] - Hebrew Literary Devices
[03:37] - Greek Philosophy: Unity and Diversity
[05:09] - Unity and Diversity in God
[05:54] - Spirit of God in Creation
[06:38] - Psalm 110 and the Triune God
[09:01] - New Testament Monotheism
[09:44] - Paul's Address at the Areopagus
[13:07] - The Unknown God
[14:59] - 1 Corinthians and Idolatry
[16:21] - Deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit
[17:36] - The "I Am" Statements of Jesus
[19:38] - Thomas' Declaration of Faith
[21:04] - Triune Benedictions and Baptism
[21:51] - The Logos in John's Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Doctrine of the Trinity

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:1-2 (Hints of the Trinity in Creation)
2. John 1:1-3 (The Logos and the Trinity)
3. Acts 17:22-31 (Paul's Address at the Areopagus)

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the use of the plural form "Elohim" in the Old Testament hint at the complexity of God's nature? [01:12]
2. What was Paul's reaction to the idolatry he observed in Athens, and how did he use the altar to the "unknown god" to introduce the Athenians to the one true God? [09:44]
3. In John 1:1-3, how is the Logos described in relation to God, and what does this imply about the nature of Jesus? [21:51]
4. How does Thomas' declaration to Jesus in John 20:28 affirm the deity of Christ, and how does Jesus respond to this declaration? [19:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the plural form "Elohim" suggest about the nature of God, and how does this align with the doctrine of the Trinity? [01:12]
2. How does Paul's address at the Areopagus challenge the Athenians' understanding of God, and what does it reveal about the nature of God as the creator and sustainer of all life? [09:44]
3. In what ways do Jesus' "I am" statements in the Gospel of John echo the divine name Yahweh, and what significance does this have for understanding Jesus' identity? [17:36]
4. How does the triune formula for baptism and the benedictions in the New Testament reflect the church's understanding of the Trinity? [21:04]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the subtle hints of the Trinity in the Old Testament. How does this deepen your understanding of God's nature, and how might it influence your approach to reading the Old Testament? [01:12]
2. Consider Paul's approach to addressing the Athenians' idolatry. How can you use cultural touchpoints in your own life to introduce others to the one true God? [09:44]
3. Jesus' "I am" statements assert His divine nature. How do these statements impact your personal relationship with Jesus, and how can you incorporate this understanding into your daily life? [17:36]
4. Thomas' declaration of faith was a turning point for him. Have you had a similar moment of realization about Jesus' divinity? How did it change your faith journey? [19:38]
5. The triune formula for baptism is a profound declaration of faith. If you have been baptized, how does this understanding of the Trinity shape your view of your baptism? If not, what does this mean for your spiritual journey? [21:04]
6. The opening verses of John's Gospel present a mystery of the Trinity. How can you embrace this mystery in your faith, and what steps can you take to explore it further in your personal study? [21:51]
7. How can the unity and diversity within the Godhead serve as a model for unity and diversity within the church community? What practical steps can you take to promote this within your own church? [05:09]

Devotional

Day 1: The Complex Unity of God in the Old Testament
The Old Testament subtly hints at the Trinity through the use of the plural form "Elohim," suggesting a complex unity within the Godhead. This literary device points to the depth and majesty of God's character, inviting us to explore the mystery of His nature. The use of "Elohim" with singular verbs in the Hebrew Scriptures is not a definitive proof of the Trinity but serves as a profound indication of the complexity and richness of God's nature. This invites believers to delve deeper into understanding the divine mystery that is both one and yet reveals a plurality within the Godhead. [01:12]

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV): "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Reflection: How does the concept of a complex unity within God challenge or enrich your understanding of His nature? How can this understanding impact your relationship with Him today?


Day 2: The One True God Beyond Temples and Idols
The New Testament affirms monotheism while revealing the multi-personal nature of God. Paul's address at the Areopagus highlights the one true God who transcends temples and idols, emphasizing His role as the creator and sustainer of all life. Paul uses the Athenians' altar to an "unknown god" as a starting point to proclaim the God who is not confined to human-made structures but is the source of all existence. This God, who is both one and multi-personal, invites us to know Him beyond the limitations of physical representations. [09:44]

Acts 17:24-25 (ESV): "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself limiting God to human-made structures or ideas? How can you begin to experience Him as the creator and sustainer of all life today?


Day 3: Jesus' Divine Identity in the Gospel of John
Jesus' "I am" statements in the Gospel of John assert His eternal existence and divine nature, echoing the divine name Yahweh. This profound claim to deity is further affirmed by Thomas' declaration, "My Lord and my God," which Jesus accepts without rebuke. These statements and interactions reveal Jesus as fully God, inviting believers to recognize and worship Him as such. The Gospel of John presents Jesus not only as a historical figure but as the eternal Word, who was with God and is God, challenging us to see Him in His full divine glory. [19:38]

John 8:58 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'"

Reflection: How do Jesus' "I am" statements impact your view of His identity and role in your life? What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him as both Lord and God?


Day 4: The Triune Formula in Baptism and Benedictions
The triune formula for baptism and the benedictions in the New Testament reflect the church's understanding of the Trinity, a doctrine rooted in the biblical witness to God's nature as a unity of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This understanding is not merely theological but deeply practical, shaping the way Christians are baptized and blessed. The triune nature of God is celebrated and affirmed in these practices, inviting believers to live in the reality of a God who is both one and three. [21:04]

Matthew 28:19 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: How does the triune nature of God influence your understanding of baptism and blessing? In what ways can you live out this reality in your daily walk with God?


Day 5: The Logos as Both Distinct and Fully God
The opening verses of John's Gospel present the Logos as both distinct from and fully God, encapsulating the mystery of the Trinity. This profound truth has shaped Christian theology, inviting us to contemplate the unity and diversity within the Godhead. The Logos, or Word, is not only with God but is God, revealing the depth of the relationship within the Trinity. This invites believers to explore the mystery of a God who is both one and yet reveals Himself in three distinct persons, each fully God. [21:51]

John 1:1-2 (ESV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."

Reflection: How does the concept of the Logos being both distinct and fully God challenge or enrich your understanding of the Trinity? How can this understanding shape your worship and relationship with God today?

Quotes


As we continue now with our study of the doctrine of the Trinity, we will recall that in our first session, we looked briefly at the Old Testament concept of monotheism -- that is the affirmation of the oneness of God, and showed that there has been controversy over the period in redemptive history when monotheism was developed. [00:00:07]

And let me begin first of all by saying that even though we don't have an explicit definition of Trinity, in the Old Testament, nevertheless we do have hints from time to time of Trinity throughout the pages of Old Testament history. One of those important hints is one that we've already looked at from a different angle, namely the plural use for the name of God, Elohim. [00:00:42]

The critics see the use of that name as a crass form of polytheism. Nevertheless, others have seen in that plural name, particularly as it is accompanied by a singular verb, a sort of cryptic reference to the plural character of God. Now let me tell you a couple of things about that. First of all I don't think it necessarily indicates the Trinity, because it could simply be a literary form similar to what we call the editorial plural. [00:01:12]

But more to the point is a Hebrew literary device called the plural of intensity, and that plural of intensity calls attention to the depth dimension of the very character of God in whom resides all elements of deity and of majesty. And so I would say at the very minimum the name Elohim is compatible with the doctrine of Trinity and may in fact be hinting in that direction. [00:02:24]

In fact the very word "universe" comes from the concept of unity and diversity jammed together -- that we live in a place of great diversity that nevertheless has unity; and the Greek philosophers sought (and I would say in vain) to find the source of both unity and diversity. And yet in the Christian faith, and in the Christian worldview, all diversity finds its ultimate unity in God Himself. [00:04:49]

But, in addition to that, also in the creation account we encounter already the Spirit of God, who is active in creation and who is bringing something out of nothing and who is meeting the criteria for deity that is set forth, for example, in the New Testament. And so that is another hint toward the multi-personal character of God early on in that work. [00:05:47]

When we come to the New Testament, it's not as though the New Testament repudiates the Old Testament affirmation of monotheism. The concepts of monotheism that are so firmly established in the Old Testament are not only assumed, but repeated over and over again in the New Testament. Let me just give one illustration -- or a couple illustrations of that. [00:08:53]

Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus (or Mars Hill) and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious, for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an alter with this inscription: 'To the unknown God.'" Now let me just again give us another little dangling parenthesis if you will. [00:09:44]

Paul mentions seeing this alter to the unknown God, and he says, "Therefore the one whom you worship in ignorance, or without knowing, or agnostically (a gnosis), Him I proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He worshiped by men's hands, as if He needed anything. [00:13:15]

And so in the very same sentence that Paul is ascribing clearly deity to Christ, he is at that same moment reaffirming the unity of God and the oneness of God. All right, well why is that the New Testament then speaks of one God, and yet at the same time affirms the deity of the Holy Spirit and the deity of Christ? The reason why the church does that, as I said earlier, is because the Bible does it. [00:16:21]

We see it especially in John's gospel. And I'll come to John one in a moment because that is the most significant passage of all. But remember, in the "I ams" of Jesus when He said, "I am the door," and, "I am the way the truth and the life," and all that sort of thing. Among those, particularly in John 8 our Lord says, "Before Abraham was, I am." [00:17:36]

Also in John's gospel we have the intriguing narrative of the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus when some of the disciples had seen Him, and Thomas was absent. And remember doubting Thomas? He says, "Unless I can see Him with my eyes and put my hand in His side, and my fingers in the nail prints, I'm not going to believe. In the midst of this skepticism, Jesus appears to him and offers His hands and His side. [00:19:38]

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Transcript
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