Understanding the Trinity: Paradox, Essence, and Mystery
Summary
In a recent discussion with a philosophy professor, the topic of the Trinity was brought up as a supposed contradiction within Christianity. The professor argued that intelligent people should not embrace contradictions, and he viewed the Trinity as such. However, I explained that the doctrine of the Trinity is not a contradiction but rather a paradox. A contradiction would mean asserting that God is one in essence and three in essence simultaneously, which is not the case. Instead, the Trinity states that God is one in essence and three in person, which are distinct categories.
The early church grappled with this concept to remain faithful to Scripture, which teaches both the oneness of God and the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The term "paradox" comes from Greek roots meaning "alongside" and "to seem," indicating something that appears contradictory but is not upon closer examination. The Trinity may seem contradictory because we typically equate one being with one person, but God transcends this human limitation.
The terms "essence" and "person" are crucial here. "Essence" refers to the substance or "stuff" of God, which is singular and unified. The term "person" in the context of the Trinity comes from the Latin "persona," used in legal and dramatic contexts to denote roles or characters. This does not align perfectly with our modern understanding of personality, where one person equals one being.
In theological terms, the distinction among the Trinity is described as "subsistence" rather than "existence." While "existence" implies a dependency on something else, "subsistence" refers to the distinct roles within the one being of God. Thus, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three subsistences within the one essence of God. This distinction is real and necessary, as the Bible makes clear, but it is not essential in the sense of altering the essence of deity itself. The Trinity remains a profound mystery, yet it is a coherent and essential doctrine of the Christian faith.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Paradox vs. Contradiction: The Trinity is a paradox, not a contradiction. It asserts that God is one in essence and three in person, which are distinct categories. This understanding helps us appreciate the depth and mystery of God's nature. [01:42]
2. Essence and Person: The terms "essence" and "person" are crucial in understanding the Trinity. God's essence is singular, while the term "person" refers to distinct roles within the Godhead, not separate beings. This distinction helps us grasp the unity and diversity within the Trinity. [07:04]
3. Subsistence vs. Existence: Theological language distinguishes between "subsistence" and "existence." While existence implies dependency, subsistence refers to the distinct roles within God's unified being. This distinction underscores the unique nature of the Trinity. [20:45]
4. The Mystery of the Trinity: The Trinity remains a profound mystery that transcends human understanding. It challenges us to embrace the complexity of God's nature and to trust in the revelation of Scripture. This mystery invites us into deeper worship and awe. [07:04]
5. Real but Not Essential Distinctions: The distinctions among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are real but not essential in altering the essence of deity. This understanding affirms the unity of God while recognizing the distinct roles within the Godhead. [22:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - The Atheist's Challenge
- [01:04] - Contradiction vs. Paradox
- [01:42] - The Trinity Explained
- [02:43] - The Law of Non-Contradiction
- [03:42] - Early Church Struggles
- [04:31] - Understanding Paradox
- [05:20] - Greek Roots of Paradox
- [06:18] - Closer Examination
- [07:04] - Essence and Person
- [08:53] - The Concept of Essence
- [10:03] - The Stuff of Deity
- [10:51] - Persona and Roles
- [15:03] - Subsistence vs. Existence
- [20:45] - Distinctions in the Godhead
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### 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 speaks to the divinity of Christ, affirming the unity and distinction within the Godhead.
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."
#### Observation Questions
1. How does the sermon define the difference between a paradox and a contradiction? [01:04]
2. What historical challenges did the early church face in understanding the Trinity? [03:42]
3. How does the sermon explain the terms "essence" and "person" in relation to the Trinity? [07:04]
4. What is the significance of the term "subsistence" as used in the sermon? [20:45]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to distinguish between "essence" and "person" when discussing the Trinity? How does this distinction help in understanding the nature of God? [07:04]
2. In what ways does the concept of the Trinity challenge our human understanding of identity and relationship? [06:18]
3. How does the sermon suggest that the mystery of the Trinity should impact our worship and understanding of God? [07:04]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of maintaining the unity of God while recognizing the distinct roles within the Godhead? [22:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with understanding a complex aspect of your faith. How did you approach this challenge, and what did you learn from it? [06:18]
2. How can the concept of the Trinity influence the way you view relationships within your community or family? [07:04]
3. The sermon describes the Trinity as a profound mystery. How can embracing this mystery lead to a deeper sense of awe and worship in your spiritual life? [07:04]
4. Consider the roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your personal faith journey. How do you experience each of these roles in your daily life? [22:22]
5. How can understanding the distinction between "subsistence" and "existence" change the way you perceive your relationship with God? [20:45]
6. In what ways can you apply the understanding of the Trinity to foster unity and diversity within your church community? [22:22]
7. How might you explain the concept of the Trinity to someone who is new to the Christian faith, using simple language and examples? [01:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Divine Paradox
The concept of the Trinity is often misunderstood as a contradiction, but it is more accurately described as a paradox. A contradiction would imply that God is simultaneously one in essence and three in essence, which is not the case. Instead, the Trinity teaches that God is one in essence and three in person, which are distinct categories. This understanding allows us to appreciate the depth and mystery of God's nature, recognizing that while it may seem contradictory at first glance, it is coherent upon closer examination. The early church wrestled with this concept to remain faithful to Scripture, which affirms both the oneness of God and the divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. [01:42]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Consider a time when you encountered something in your faith that seemed contradictory. How can you approach it as a divine paradox, seeking deeper understanding and trust in God's wisdom?
Day 2: Unity and Diversity in the Godhead
The terms "essence" and "person" are crucial in understanding the Trinity. God's essence is singular and unified, while the term "person" refers to distinct roles within the Godhead, not separate beings. This distinction helps us grasp the unity and diversity within the Trinity. The term "person" comes from the Latin "persona," used in legal and dramatic contexts to denote roles or characters, which does not align perfectly with our modern understanding of personality. This understanding allows us to see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct yet unified in their divine essence. [07:04]
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (ESV): "Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."
Reflection: Reflect on the roles you play in your community and family. How can you better reflect the unity and diversity of the Trinity in these roles?
Day 3: The Distinct Roles within God's Unified Being
Theological language distinguishes between "subsistence" and "existence." While existence implies dependency on something else, subsistence refers to the distinct roles within God's unified being. This distinction underscores the unique nature of the Trinity, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three subsistences within the one essence of God. These roles are real and necessary, as the Bible makes clear, but they do not alter the essence of deity itself. This understanding helps us appreciate the complexity and coherence of the Trinity as a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith. [20:45]
Colossians 1:16-17 (ESV): "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: Identify a role or responsibility you have that feels overwhelming. How can understanding the distinct roles within the Trinity inspire you to embrace your role with confidence and purpose?
Day 4: The Mystery that Invites Worship
The Trinity remains a profound mystery that transcends human understanding. It challenges us to embrace the complexity of God's nature and to trust in the revelation of Scripture. This mystery invites us into deeper worship and awe, recognizing that while we may not fully comprehend the nature of the Trinity, we can still experience its truth and beauty in our relationship with God. The early church's struggle to articulate this doctrine reminds us of the importance of humility and faith in our theological pursuits. [07:04]
Job 11:7-9 (ESV): "Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea."
Reflection: Spend time in prayer and worship today, focusing on the mystery of the Trinity. How does this mystery lead you to a deeper sense of awe and reverence for God?
Day 5: Affirming Unity with Distinct Roles
The distinctions among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are real but not essential in altering the essence of deity. This understanding affirms the unity of God while recognizing the distinct roles within the Godhead. The concept of "subsistence" helps us see how these roles function within the one essence of God, allowing us to appreciate the complexity and coherence of the Trinity. This understanding challenges us to embrace both the unity and diversity within the Godhead, recognizing that these distinctions are necessary for the fullness of God's revelation to humanity. [22:22]
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV): "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think about a relationship in your life where unity is needed. How can you apply the understanding of unity and distinct roles within the Trinity to bring harmony and cooperation to that relationship?
Quotes
I said, “I grant that the formula for the Trinity is paradoxical, but it is by no means contradictory. Now let me show you why. The historic formula is that God is one in essence and three in person.” Now I said to my philosophy professor friend, I said, “Certainly you can see that what this formula is saying is that God is one in one thing and three in something else. [00:01:42]
Now, to break the law of contradiction, one would have to say that God is one in essence and only one in essence, and God is three in essence; or saying God is one and only one in person, and at the same time say that God is three in person, because the simple definition of the law of non-contradiction is that something cannot be what it is and not be what it is at the same time and in the same way or in the same relationship.” [00:02:43]
Now, I can be a father and a son at the same time, but not in the same relationship. I cannot be my own son or my own grandson. That’s obviously impossible, and so when we look at the formal categories of rational thought, we see, objectively, I hope, that this formula is not contradictory. [00:03:06]
And this was one of the things that the church struggled with profoundly in the first four centuries in order to be faithful to the clear teaching of Scripture that on the one hand God is one and on the other hand that Christ is divine, that the Father is divine, and that the Holy Ghost is divine. [00:03:42]
Now, so from those words, we get the idea of a paradox is something that when placed alongside of something else seems or appears to be contradictory, but when you look at it more closely and subject it to careful scrutiny, you see that, in fact, it is not a contradiction. [00:06:18]
It may seem to be contradictory because we’re saying God is one essence and three persons, and we are accustomed in our vantage point as human beings to see one being is one person; we can’t conceive of how one being could be contained three persons and still only be one being. [00:06:44]
Now, we also have to talk about the meaning of these two terms, because again, why this seems to be contradictory is because we have a tendency to see these terms, essence and person, as virtual synonyms. Because this man is a being, he’s a human being, but he’s also a person, and we, again, as I said, we are accustomed to thinking one person per being. [00:07:23]
Now, the concept of essence is the – comes from the Greek word – again, another Greek word – it comes from the Greek participial form of the verb, ‘to be’, which is the word, ‘ousios’, which means, ‘being’ or ‘substance’, or my favorite translation of this in the vernacular is the word, ‘stuff’. [00:08:18]
And what the church was saying is that God is one essence; there is only one stuff. There’s not part of God here and then separated from that is another part of God over here. That would be two beings, and God is only one being. [00:10:29]
Now, in technical theology, in order to make the distinction in the godhead among the persons of the Trinity, other terms have been used. My favorite one, which I think is most helpful, and I hope is not confusing to you, is the word, ‘subsistence’. Subsistence; now that’s probably not a word you’re too familiar with in terms of its theological use. [00:15:03]
Now, the point I’m saying is is that we don’t want to think of God like this. If you ask me, ‘Is God?’ I say, “Yes, of course God is.” But does He exist? Not in this sense, because that would make Him what? A creature, a dependent derived existence. But rather, we say God is here. God is being, not becoming, not changing. He is eternally the same, and so we say there’s one being. [00:20:45]
And so we can say that the distinction among the three persons is a necessary distinction because the Bible makes the distinction, and it is a real distinction, but we say it’s not an essential distinction. Uh oh, what do you mean it’s not an essential distinction? You mean – to mean by that it’s not important that we make a distinction and it doesn’t matter? [00:22:22]
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