Understanding the Mystery of the Trinity

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the Trinity, we have delved into its biblical foundations and historical development. A common critique of the Trinity is that it appears irrational or contradictory. However, this misunderstanding arises from a misapplication of the law of non-contradiction. The Trinity teaches that God is one in essence and three in person, which does not violate rational thought. The confusion often stems from conflating the concepts of contradiction, paradox, and mystery. A paradox may initially seem contradictory but resolves upon deeper examination, while a mystery is something we affirm as true without fully understanding it.

Biblical Christianity embraces mysteries, acknowledging that there are divine truths beyond our comprehension. Even in heaven, our finite nature will limit our understanding of God's infinite nature. This should not surprise us, given the vast difference between God's character and our human limitations. Contradictions, however, are inherently unintelligible and cannot be understood by anyone, including God. To suggest otherwise is to misrepresent the divine nature, implying chaos and nonsense in God's mind.

The term "Trinity" itself, though not found in Scripture, encapsulates the biblical teaching of God's unity and tri-personality. Theological terms like this arise from the church's commitment to precision, especially in response to heretical distortions. Heretics often employ "studied ambiguity" to obscure truth, necessitating clear and precise language to safeguard doctrine. The church's use of terms like "Trinity" serves as a Shibboleth, a test of authenticity, ensuring that the core truths of the faith are preserved against misinterpretation.

As we continue to study the Trinity, we must strive for theological clarity, understanding that our finite minds may not grasp every aspect of divine mystery. Yet, we trust that God, in His omniscience, comprehends all things perfectly. In our next session, we will further explore the theological content of the Trinity, seeking to unravel its profound truths.

Key Takeaways:

- The Trinity is often misunderstood as irrational due to a misapplication of the law of non-contradiction. It teaches that God is one in essence and three in person, which does not violate rational thought. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate the depth of this doctrine. [00:28]

- Paradoxes and mysteries are distinct from contradictions. A paradox may seem contradictory but resolves upon deeper examination, while a mystery is a truth we affirm without fully understanding. Embracing mystery is part of the Christian faith, acknowledging our finite understanding of God's infinite nature. [01:54]

- The term "Trinity," though not found in Scripture, encapsulates the biblical teaching of God's unity and tri-personality. Theological terms arise from the church's commitment to precision, especially in response to heretical distortions. This precision safeguards the core truths of the faith. [12:09]

- Heretics often use "studied ambiguity" to obscure truth, necessitating clear and precise language to protect doctrine. The church's use of terms like "Trinity" serves as a Shibboleth, ensuring the authenticity of belief and preserving the integrity of the faith. [18:19]

- Our finite minds may not grasp every aspect of divine mystery, but we trust that God, in His omniscience, comprehends all things perfectly. This trust allows us to embrace the mysteries of faith, knowing that God's nature transcends our understanding. [09:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Addressing the Critique of Irrationality
- [01:15] - Understanding Contradiction, Paradox, and Mystery
- [02:43] - Paradox in Scripture
- [03:26] - The Nature of Mystery
- [04:11] - Mysteries in Biblical Christianity
- [05:37] - Distinguishing Mystery from Contradiction
- [06:32] - The Incomprehensibility of Contradictions
- [07:56] - Misunderstanding God's Nature
- [09:19] - Embracing Divine Mystery
- [10:29] - The Dual Nature of Christ
- [11:10] - The Linguistic Objection to the Trinity
- [12:09] - The Concept of Trinity in Scripture
- [13:50] - Theological Precision and Heresy
- [18:19] - The Role of Shibboleths in Doctrine
- [22:19] - The Church's Response to Heresy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding the Trinity

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:19 - "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."
2. John 1:1-14 - This passage discusses the Word being with God and being God, highlighting the divine nature of Jesus.
3. 2 Corinthians 13:14 - "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between a contradiction and a paradox? [01:54]
2. What is the significance of the term "Trinity" not being found in Scripture, according to the sermon? [12:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of theological terms like "Trinity" in church history? [13:50]
4. What example does the sermon give to illustrate the concept of a Shibboleth in doctrine? [19:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that the misunderstanding of the Trinity as irrational arises from a misapplication of the law of non-contradiction? [00:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon differentiate between mystery and contradiction, and why is this distinction important for understanding the Trinity? [05:37]
3. How does the sermon address the objection that the term "Trinity" is an extra-Biblical word? What does this imply about the use of theological language? [12:09]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of precision in theological language, especially in response to heretical teachings? [18:19]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a mystery in your faith. How did you respond, and how might the sermon’s discussion on mystery and contradiction help you approach such mysteries differently? [05:37]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of precise language in theology. How can you apply this principle in your own discussions about faith, especially when explaining complex doctrines like the Trinity? [18:19]
3. Consider the concept of a Shibboleth in your own faith community. Are there beliefs or practices that serve as a test of authenticity? How do you navigate these in your interactions with others? [19:54]
4. How does understanding the Trinity as a mystery rather than a contradiction affect your view of God’s nature? How can this understanding deepen your faith? [09:19]
5. The sermon mentions that even in heaven, our understanding of God will be limited. How does this perspective influence your current pursuit of knowledge and understanding of God? [04:56]
6. How can you use the sermon’s insights on paradoxes to address apparent contradictions in your own life or in Scripture? [02:43]
7. The sermon highlights the role of heresy in prompting theological precision. How can you remain vigilant against heretical teachings in your own faith journey? [22:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Understanding the Trinity's Rationality
The doctrine of the Trinity is often misunderstood as irrational because it seems to contradict the law of non-contradiction. However, this misunderstanding arises from a misapplication of that law. The Trinity teaches that God is one in essence and three in person, which does not violate rational thought. By understanding this distinction, we can appreciate the depth and coherence of this doctrine. The Trinity is not a contradiction but a profound truth that invites us to explore the nature of God more deeply. [00:28]

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you approach the doctrine of the Trinity with an open mind, seeking to understand rather than dismiss it as irrational?


Day 2: Embracing Paradox and Mystery
In the Christian faith, paradoxes and mysteries are distinct from contradictions. A paradox may initially seem contradictory but resolves upon deeper examination, while a mystery is a truth we affirm without fully understanding. Embracing mystery is an essential part of the Christian faith, acknowledging our finite understanding of God's infinite nature. This acceptance allows us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we cannot fully comprehend His ways. [01:54]

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" (Romans 11:33, ESV)

Reflection: What is one mystery of faith that you struggle to understand, and how can you practice trusting God with it today?


Day 3: The Role of Theological Terms
The term "Trinity," though not found in Scripture, encapsulates the biblical teaching of God's unity and tri-personality. Theological terms like this arise from the church's commitment to precision, especially in response to heretical distortions. This precision safeguards the core truths of the faith, ensuring that the essence of Christian doctrine is preserved and communicated clearly. By understanding the importance of these terms, we can better appreciate the church's efforts to maintain doctrinal integrity. [12:09]

"Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of theological terms to strengthen your faith and defend it against misunderstandings?


Day 4: The Danger of Studied Ambiguity
Heretics often use "studied ambiguity" to obscure truth, necessitating clear and precise language to protect doctrine. The church's use of terms like "Trinity" serves as a Shibboleth, ensuring the authenticity of belief and preserving the integrity of the faith. This clarity is crucial in distinguishing true doctrine from false teachings, helping believers to remain grounded in the truth of the Gospel. [18:19]

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you be vigilant against ambiguous teachings that may lead you away from the core truths of your faith?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Omniscience
Our finite minds may not grasp every aspect of divine mystery, but we trust that God, in His omniscience, comprehends all things perfectly. This trust allows us to embrace the mysteries of faith, knowing that God's nature transcends our understanding. By relying on God's perfect knowledge, we can find peace in the midst of uncertainty and grow in our relationship with Him. [09:19]

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." (Psalm 147:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's omniscience, and how can you begin to surrender it to Him today?

Quotes


As we continue now with our study of the Trinity, we've seen now something of the doctrine as it's found in the Old Testament Scriptures and in the New Testament Scriptures, and how the doctrine developed in terms of church history, and the early centuries of Christian reflection. But we've noted along the way that the constant criticism of the Trinity is that it is irrational -- that it involves a contradiction. [00:00:01]

In other classes I have taken the time to explore three distinct categories that we need to understand and differentiate from one another. And those categories are the contradiction, the paradox, and the mystery. These three words represent three distinct ideas or concepts. But they are so closely related that all three of them are often confused one with the other. [00:01:41]

A paradox is something that sounds contradictory, maybe the first time you hear it, but upon further scrutiny the tension is resolved. Jesus, you know, in the New Testament says for us to be free we have to become slaves or servants to Christ. That sounds contradictory, but upon closer examination, we're seeing that Jesus is saying that to be free in one sense you have to be a servant in another sense, and so there is no violation here of the rules of logic. [00:02:39]

And so a mystery is something that we affirm is true, but we don't understand all the ramifications of it. Now, biblical Christianity certainly has its share of mysteries. We don't understand how God can be infinite in His being, and yet we affirm that He is. There are many truths that God reveals to us about Himself that are beyond our capacity to understand. [00:04:14]

In fact some of these truths we may never fully understand, even in heaven. As we get new information and new knowledge, things that formerly were mysterious to us, are then unraveled with new insight and new information. And we have seen real progress in knowledge in the history of science, and the history of theology, and other disciplines as we increase our knowledge. [00:04:56]

But even as we increase our knowledge to the maximum point in human experience, even in heaven we will remain finite creatures, who will not have an ability to have a full comprehension of the nature of God. And so, it shouldn't surprise us given the difference between the character of God and humanness that there would be mysterious elements of truth with respect to God. [00:05:23]

The reason why contradictions are not understood is because they are inherently unintelligible. Nobody can understand a contradiction because contradictions cannot be understood. I've told this story before: a seminary professor I had, who wrinkled his brow and spoke in hushed terms, and made the announcement in our class, he said, "God is absolutely immutable in His essence, and God is absolutely mutable in His essence." [00:06:23]

Now, no human being has the capacity to understand a contradiction because, as I say, they are inherently unintelligible. And not only God can understand a contradiction. Some people say, "Well, that's the difference between God and man: where our minds are limited by the laws of logic, and God's mind -- God can transcend the laws of logic, and God can understand something as A and non-A at the same time, and in the same relationship. [00:07:50]

But again the point of contact is we cannot understand a mystery, but it may be that at some point, with more information, and a higher perspective that mystery will be unraveled. And again God can understand. God understands gravity, God understands motion, and God understands ultimate reality and being, where we have not been able to penetrate to these things completely. [00:09:04]

And so sometimes today, theologians and philosophers have more trouble with Greek than God does. But in any case, the idea that the term "trinity" doesn't occur in Scriptures has caused some people to raise an eyebrow. But the question is, what does this word mean? Does the concept appear in the Bible? All the word "trinity" does is focus linguistically as a word to capture within it the content of the Scriptures that teach, as we have seen all ready, the unity of God and the tri-personality of God. [00:12:31]

And the favorite trick of the heretic is what we call the studied ambiguity -- the studied ambiguity. The studied ambiguity is that means of communication whereby something, a word is used to leave the concept intentionally ambiguous. In the Sixteenth Century, the greatest theological controversy in the history of the church broke out at the time of the Reformation, over the doctrine of justification. [00:15:32]

Therefore we see the church coming down on a concept that in a very real sense, functions as a Shibboleth. Remember what he purpose of the Shibboleth was? The purpose of the Shibboleth was as a password to get by a sentry. When the enemies of Israel were trying to send their undercover agents, spies, into the land, anybody who came in was asked to pronounce the word "Shibboleth," and their neighbors were not able to pronounce that word and so their stumbling with the language gave them away. [00:19:21]

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Transcript
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