The Trinity: 3 = 1 and 1 = 3

Math has never been a strong subject for me.  I remember dreading  algebra, geometry (not that bad), and algebra II (got C’s and past, barely).  I took at practical math class my senior year in high school where I learn to balance a check book, learned about mortgages, understood the stock market, and all sorts of practical  mathematical concepts.  I got A’s in that class!  The issue I found with mathematics is that the vast majority of equations and problems you have to solve have one answer.  For some reason, my mind was more suited to the humanities like government, history, art, and english (sort of).  In those classes, the answer was usually subjective.   In the humanity classes, thinking and discussing were at the center of learning.  Memorizing math formulas and the rules of math was difficult.  Every time I got a concept in math class we would move on to another concept.  I could not keep up!

Theologically, there is a mathematical concept that has confused scholars, thinkers, and Christians for centuries.  The Triune God: 3 = 1 and 1 = 3.  We Christians are not polytheistic in our beliefs, but many non-Christians are confused by our math.  Many non-Christians see three separate Gods: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.  How can Christians be monotheistic?

Well, in the 3rd and 4th centuries, Christians were  struggling with their monotheistic concepts with the unity of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Without getting into the history of the Trinitarian debate there were a few guys who seemed to solve the problem.  The Cappadocian Fathers gave us the understanding of “three hypostases and one ousia.”  This means that there are three substances, but one essence of God.  The Cappadocian Fathers stated that the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) exists simultaneously in three modes of being, but are one in essence and unity. They have one nature and one is not subordinate to another.

Confused?  Think about it this one.  The properties of water have three modes or states.  Water can be a liquid, a gas, or a solid.  Water flows as a liquid, can be a vapor as gas, or can be frozen as a solid.  No matter what you do with water it is still water.  The properties change, but water remains as water even though it takes three different modes.  The same can be said of the Trinity.  God is still God, but just in three forms that share similar properties made up of one substance.  It’s crazy, I know.  Similes and metaphors get us close to an idea, but never fully explain it.   Trying to explain God is like trying to explain an emotion.  Words that can fully describe it.  How do you describe the Divine?  How do you describe something greater than ourselves?   We have some pretty good ways of describing God, but nothing can fully explain God.  There is a certain mystery there that we are meant to be in awe of.

In John 3, Jesus is trying to explain to Nicodemus the relationship of the Triune God and how he must be “born of water and Spirit”.  (John 3:5)  As a Jew, Nicodemus was under the covenant of Abraham and was “saved”.  Jesus seeks to introduce the new covenant of Christ’s sacrifice as the Son, the need to be born of the Holy Spirit through baptism, and understanding how the Father sent the Son out of love.  These were all new concepts to Nicodemus and that is why he asks, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?”  (John 3:4)   We, like Nicodemus, sometimes are confused by all the theology.  We need help to understand it.   Though we may struggle, Jesus made one thing clear: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

As we gather on this Trinity Sunday, I pray you will think about how the Trinity is an important understanding as a Christian.  We should seek to understand how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God.  They are all unified, but each has distinct roles.  How have you connected with the Triune God?  Do you tend to focus on one and not the other?  How do you incorporate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your worship, devotional time, and your life?   Last Sunday was Pentecost.  How does the Holy Spirit (often the ignored member of the Trinity) work in my life?

For more information regarding the Christian Calendar go here and here.  For information on Trinity Sunday go here.

For more information on the Trinity check out these books:

• The Trinitarian Controversy by William G. Rusch
• Theology For The Community of God by Stanley Grenz (a baptist)
• Christian Theology by Alister McGrath