I can't understand/grasp the Holy Trinity?

[JimenyKricket]

Brothers & sisters, please help me! I cannot grasp this concept of 3 being 1 and 1 being 3. I know that God is all powerful and with Him, anything is possible, but I'm just not comprehending/understanding this biblical concept.
Please lead me to more resources that explain it simply.

A very confused lady,
Jimeny

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

This is one of many doctrines that Christians know to be true because of the teachings of scripture, yet cannot comprehend with our limited, fallible mind.

Here is one analogy that may help you grasp the concept of the triune God: Thinking of the Trinity as One Being yet three individual persons could be compared to the three different physical make-ups of water: On one level you have ice and then steam as well as the obvious liquid form. These three forms of water still represent the one chemical H2O. It is three forms but yet still one.

Again this truth of the triune God is something in our low created form we cannot possibly understand in it's truest sense, some doctrines we must just lay at the feet of our amazing God and say "it is true, but I know not how."

 

[JimenyKricket]

I feel so stupid, but I still don't understand.
H20 is water whether it's water, steam, or ice. They each have their own properties
What are the Trinity's "properties" ( sorry if that bluntness offends anyone )?

 

[Incariol]

Jimeny, you aren't supposed to be able to understand God. Read Metropolitan Kallistos' book, The Orthodox Way, chapter 1, "God as Mystery", explains this quite well.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

H20 is water whether it's water, steam, or ice.

That's true, I didn't say it was an adequate analogy for the Trinity...but in human terms it's about the best we can do.

God is Father, Son and Spirit and God is not God without all three beings so the water analogy does not hold water (pun intended) when compared in this way. But the concept still holds up when trying to describe three separate perceived natures (personalities) of water in general.

If the concept doesn't help you drop it, I don't want to confuse you.

You could also compare the trinity to the triune aspect of man: spirit, soul and body.

Outside of the "Real Thing" though, nothing is adequate to explain the complexity of God.

 

[JimenyKricket]

Jimeny, you aren't supposed to be able to understand God. Read Metropolitan Kallistos' book, The Orthodox Way, chapter 1, "God as Mystery", explains this quite well.

I will try and remember that next time I go to the public library. Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[JimenyKricket]

That's true, I didn't say it was an adequate analogy for the Trinity...but in human terms it's about the best we can do.

God is Father, Son and Spirit and God is not God without all three beings so the water analogy does not hold water (pun intended) when compared in this way. But the concept still holds up when trying to describe three separate perceived natures (personalities) of water in general.

If the concept doesn't help you drop it, I don't want to confuse you.

You could also compare the trinity to the triune aspect of man: spirit, soul and body.

Outside of the "Real Thing" though, nothing is adequate to explain the complexity of God.

If you don't mind, please explain the bolded. I think thats what I'm having trouble with.

 

[Peripatetic]

It is unlikely that we could ever completely comprehend the mystery of the Holy Trinity, in part because we can't fully grasp the concept of a spirit being or of eternity. The best estimation I heard is something like this: In God's eternal existence, He conceived/thought of a son (also eternal) as part of His own consciousness. Almost like two separate personalities that exist at the same time within one mind. Holy Spirit is a third conscious being that connects the first two. He is the wind upon which the love and power travels between Father and Son. These concepts are actually summarized in the Nicene creed when it describes Jesus: "begotten, not made", and the Holy Spirit: "who proceeds from the Father and the Son." That's the best way I know to imagine the three as one. Just remember that God is not confined to one space though. He can be anywhere and everywhere that He pleases.

 

[elopez]

Brothers & sisters, please help me! I cannot grasp this concept of 3 being 1 and 1 being 3. I know that God is all powerful and with Him, anything is possible, but I'm just not comprehending/understanding this biblical concept.
Please lead me to more resources that explain it simply.

A very confused lady,
Jimeny

There is one God that exists in three divine persons. Could you explain more specifically what about that idea you are having trouble understanding?

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

to describe three separate perceived natures (personalities) of water in general.

If you don't mind, please explain the bolded. I think thats what I'm having trouble with.

The separate natures (of water) represent the different Persons of the Trinity, these persons are the different revelations of God throughout history. God has revealed Himself as One God but yet three different personalities. God is more than just Father, or Son or Spirit He is not complete unless He is seen as all Three. They are not separate in Being but only separate in Person...really the best way to explain it is separate revelations of a Whole, a Whole that is God.

Another good analogy I have heard that attempts to explain the trinity is the mystery of relationship and natural conception. When a man and woman unite in sexual union they become One Flesh (although still remaining two separate persons) and in this union another being is created. So in conception there are three persons in One flesh. It is not a perfect analogy but it does work enough to point us to the divine revelation (and holy union/relationship) of our God. The "Real Thing" is still beyond us though.

 

[Lee52]

Brothers & sisters, please help me! I cannot grasp this concept of 3 being 1 and 1 being 3. I know that God is all powerful and with Him, anything is possible, but I'm just not comprehending/understanding this biblical concept.
Please lead me to more resources that explain it simply.

A very confused lady,
Jimeny

Try this: File:AdditiveColor.svg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

GOD the Father is Red.
GOD the Son is Green.
GOD the Holy Spirit is Blue.
Notice the color where they overlap.

They are 3 in 1. Each separate and distinct, yet overlapping and a part of each other. Each is pure and true, yet true-pure white light only comes where they are one.

This does nothing to actually explore the nature of GOD. But, it does give a rather easy to understand visual example of the Trinity in terms that can be easily understood.

Be blessed,
Lee52

 

[klatyla]

I hope this may help ...

I too could not comprehend this either but now I see ...

Think of the Sun ...

The Sun gives - Light

The Sun gives - Warmth

The Sun represents God
The Light from the Sun represents Jesus
The Warmth from the Sun represents the Holy Spirit

Without one or the other there is no Sun, but with all three they are one, Sun.

If this doesnt help then seek God for revelation, he will certainly give it if you ask.

 

[whatfor]

I agree with the explanations above , but do not understand how The Father knows when Jesus will return but Jesus does not, and yet they are one.

 

[salida]

When talking about one God its referring to the nature or essense of God. When persons is the self distinctions within the Godhead. So we believe in one God and the three persons, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All are God and equal.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I agree with the explanations above , but do not understand how The Father knows when Jesus will return but Jesus does not, and yet they are one.

If you take K's analogy-The Sun is the source but the light shines as it is directed.

Water=God=Source and Lifegiver of ALL things.

Ice=Jesus (portable water w/qualities of preservation & healing)yet still water

Steam+Holy Spirit (power availabe for man to use) also still water.

How many people are you?

Are you the Child of your parents?
Are you (could you be) a parent?
RU or (CUB) a sibling? An Employee? an Employer? Aunt? Uncle? Grandparent?

If you can be so many people & still be you; don't you think God could be three?

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

I agree with the explanations above , but do not understand how The Father knows when Jesus will return but Jesus does not, and yet they are one.

The answer to that question is that while on earth Jesus gave up certain divine rights by taking on a human form. He was speaking as a man, and as the Son of Man He did not have that knowledge. After He was resurrected and again took on His divine form His knowledge was supreme again.

Jesus has two natures: Man and God. He is not half and half, He is 100% God and 100% man, these natures are distinct.

When He made that statement He was speaking from His nature as a Man.

 

[SoldierOfSoul]

But is it the traditional view of the Bible?

Absolutely it is:

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you." (John 16:13-15))

In these verses the Holy Spirit is described by a personal pronoun: HE, Jesus revealed Him to be a Person (the Third Person of the Trinity).

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26)

The Helper (Counselor) is again described in a personal way. "The Holy Spirit will teach you."

"The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:17)

Again the Spirit of Truth is described personally and the implication is clear: He is a Person.

If baby Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, then wouldn’t the Holy Spirit be the Father of baby Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is God just as the Father is God, The Holy Spirit plays an active ROLE in all things the Father plans. What you are confusing is the ROLES of the Godhead. Jesus is the Son and He willfully submits to the authority of the Father. The role of the Holy Spirit is as God's active Agent and Power to do His will on earth and elsewhere.

God the Father sent God the Holy Spirit to conceive of God the Son in human form. Jesus is truly the eternal SON of GOD. Not only this, but Jesus was pre existent before the incarnation, the incarnation represented His entrance into the world as Saviour of mankind and He took on the human form in order to accomplish His mission. But the eternal aspect of His Being is missed on you, Jesus has always been the SON in DIVINE RELATION to the FATHER in the trinitarian BEING.

The Holy Spirit has always been the active Personal Force and Power (creating/resurrecting/convicting/saving/regenerating) of the Godhead and His Person-hood was revealed to us through the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

[FreeinChrist]

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[FreeinChrist]

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