Ask 10 Christians what they think about the trinity and you will get 10 different ideas ranging from oneness to polytheism to outright illogic.
Oneness- God is one person manifesting in three faces or "modes."
Polytheism - God is actually 3 separate persons with three separate spirits, personalities, and identities. The OT word used is Elohim... translated many times "gods."
These two at least make sense, but are actually considered heresy.
The only one that does not make sense (but is oddly accepted by most):
1+1+1=1 God is three but at the same time is one. Adherents dismiss the illogic by calling this is a "mystery." Even that does not make sense because the definition of a "mystery" is not: "something that is illogical," rather a mystery is merely: "something that is not known." The concept of the trinity is "known" and therefore cannot be a mystery. Not only is it known, but it is required by most orthodox sects.
As you can tell, I am not all that pleased with strict trinitarian teaching. It is far to vague and ill defined to be a "requirement" of the faith. In the US, laws like this get overturned all the time because they cannot be enforced evenly. Either everyone goes to jail or nobody goes, depending on the judge.
I myself tend toward the oneness definition. God is one manifesting in three ways... sometimes even simultaneously.
Most Christians who have issues with the topic do not voice their opinion. There are far to many fellow believers all to ready and willing to make you out a heretic for not believing something that they themselves admit is impossible to explain much less believe.
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I agree with Didaskalos, it is very hard to explain. The trinity is a concept that says that there is one God, who exists as three persons.
I used to really struggle with this concept. I didn't come to any resolution until I began to realize that man also is a trinity, yet we are one.
It only makes sense that this would be so, as man is made in the image of God.
Man is a three part being, comprised of a spirit, a soul and a body, yet man is one.
God is a three part being, comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet God is one.
This simple concept completely witnessed with me when I heard the Spirit speak it to me, and it is what I rely on to this day.
An in depth study will reveal that the three persons of the Godhead roughly have the same indiviual attributes ascribed to the three parts of man.
God the Father is the template for the soul of man, God the Son is the template for the body of man, and God the Holy Spirit is the template for the spirit of man. This is true not in substance or appearance, but rather in purpose and in attributes.
The fact is there are many things about God that we cannot comprehend with our natural mind. If we could then we would be God. He is a suprnatural God that can do miracles man cannot do and cannot be explained. We don't need to be able to explain everything but to trust in Him. He loves you so much and has good things for you if you receive Jesus into your life as your Lord and Saviour and turn away from sin. He wants a relationship with you, and for you to experience His love, joy and peace that only He can give.
Reps sent for that one. It makes all kinds of sense.
I picture the Trinity as I do elements. Take H2O for example. It exists in solid form as ice, in liquid form as water, and in gaseous form as steam. It's all the same substance, but found in three ways. And, all three can exist at the same time.
it's the old axiom - if you believe no explanation is necessary, if you don't beleive, no explanation is sufficient
Only God can give you that belief and revelation
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Meerkats are community creatures. They look out for one another and snuggle up for
warmth, companionship and protection. We should all take the example of meerkats!
It would make more sense if I could do a subscript...
Everything in creation has trinity written all over it...
Everything exists as either time, space or matter (trinity)
Time is a trinity... past, present and future they do not overlap but they are still all time...
Space is a trinity length by breadth by height
Matter is a trinity... solid, liquid or gas...
Man is a trinity Spirit, sould and Body
and so on....
Mike.
Be seriousl
One can add individuals together and come up with a total.
One cannot multiply individuals and come up with a total.
In math, 1*1*1 does happen to equal 1.
The Father plus the Son = 2.
So I suppose I could rationally mutliply the Father and the Son (2) times the Holy Spirit (1) and come up with 2?
2 x 1 = 2
???
1X1X1=1 May be a cute and novel coincidence... but it has no meaning in rational thought when talking about the total individuals in a group. It has no real applicaiton when detemining the rational nature of thte Godhead.
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"...do not be concerned that some do not see your message. There are those who are hungrey for truth and who are seeking light. If there is truth in what you are saying, it will ring in their hearts like a bell. Those who are seeking will find, and if what they are seeking is in your saying, they will know it." To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Dids
Last edited by didaskalos; 26th May 2008 at 04:16 PM.
Reps sent for that one. It makes all kinds of sense.
I picture the Trinity as I do elements. Take H2O for example. It exists in solid form as ice, in liquid form as water, and in gaseous form as steam. It's all the same substance, but found in three ways. And, all three can exist at the same time.
What you are describing is modalism... the modern equivalent is oneness.
One God in three modes of substance and purpose.
I happen to be very close to this concept.
It does not mean 1 +1 +1 = 1 nor does it mean 1 X 1 X 1 = 1.
It means 1 = 1.
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"...do not be concerned that some do not see your message. There are those who are hungrey for truth and who are seeking light. If there is truth in what you are saying, it will ring in their hearts like a bell. Those who are seeking will find, and if what they are seeking is in your saying, they will know it." To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
No one can explain me the Trinity???come onnnnn 
Linear Mode
