Why is the Trinity never explained, described, or mentioned in all of Scripture?

[stevevw]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, but I didn't see the question fully addressed. While it's true that something does not need to be explicitly named in order for it to be described, but why is the Trinity never explained or described in the Bible? For example, God is never described as three, or three-in-one, nor does the Bible say God is the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." With something as important who God is, why did they not mention who God is using the Trinitarian formula?

I think because God is both not the Father, Son and Holy spirit as a witness but all have the exact same divine nature. The Holy spirits the hard part to understand and I can see how the early church thought of this as a ghost. Because it sort of seems like the spirit of Christ. Except the holy spirit is alive and interacts like you would think a spirit would lol.

There are verses that mention all thress as entities or expressions of God. But there is also verses that imply there is really only God the father and Son as sitting on the throne. As Jesus sent the Holy spirit in His place to remind people about His teachings, convict sinners and tell believers what is yet to come (John 16:13) I am not surte this will be the same role when in heaven as this job will be completed. I think the holy spirit will be in fullness and as one with the Father and Son in heaven. Perhaps as the word continually radiating Christ as King in glory of the Father.

Now this is just spectulation for the most part because we don't know. Paul mentions Christ the Son as our example on earth in this realm of how we must submit like Christ did to HIs father. So thats out door into a glimpse of the mystery Paul talks about within the body of Christ and how this relates to Christ making us all one.

It is a mystery and it takes a lot of reading and though and prayer. The Word was made flesh and in Jesus we can see His example and connect ourselves into the Godhead through His example and teacihings to better understand. To somewhere ground things from our perspective through Christ the doorway to God through the Holy spirit.

I think as mere mortals we are seeing in part as to Gods Kingdom. Eventually we will know fully even as we are known.

 

[Lukaris]

In defense of the Trinitarian passage of 1 John 5:7.

https://www.tbsbibles.org/page/1John5verse7and8?srsltid=AfmBOoqS52sLw8lickR_kX3e1FyHkaYKVKdZa5Hu24VQrTeeR0SVu86B

1 John 5:7 - Textus Receptus

textus-receptus.com

 

[tharkun73]

 

[ViaCrucis]

As the subject suggests, I want to ask about the Trinity. Given that the Trinity is never explained, described, or mentioned in the Bible then why do you believe in it?

1) The material substance of the doctrine of the Trinity is grounded in Scripture.

2) The idea that something has to be explicitly stated or spelled out in the Bible for it to be true and credible is a concept that is alien to the entire Christian experience and enterprise. There isn't a single Christian, of any perusasion or any kind, that actually operates with this as a consistent metric of "doing" theology. Case in point: No where in the Bible do we have the Canon of the Bible "explained, described, or mentioned"--the very existence of the Bible, as a Canon of Scripture, is itself extra-biblical.

3) Christian faith is grounded in Jesus Christ, His Person and Work and Teaching, and the ministry and teaching of the Apostles, which by the power of the Holy Spirit made others disciples and believers in this same Jesus; this Christian faith is the communal possession of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the Scriptures which the Church has received, believed, and confessed as Holy--i.e. the Bible--is the Chief Witness of this faith. Among Christians the precise relationship of Scripture within the Sensus Fidei is not monolithic and uniform; but speaking as a Lutheran, the Lutheran Confession is that Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is the Unruled Rule (Norma Normans) which governs the whole of Christian life, faith, and practice. That is, that which is contrary to Scripture must be rejected, for Scripture rules over all else; that all else, when and because it is faithful and ruled over by Scripture, is called the Ruled Rule (Norma Normata), and is to be believed, received, and confessed because it is faithful--it is faithful to Scripture, faithful to the teaching of Christ and the Apostles, faithful to the whole work and provenance of God who has, from the beginning, working all things toward that good end which is in Christ for the whole world.

So I believe the Trinity because:

1) It is biblical.

2) It is Christian.

3) It is true.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Radagast]

As the subject suggests, I want to ask about the Trinity. Given that the Trinity is never explained, described, or mentioned in the Bible then why do you believe in it?

The Bible says a lot of things about God, about Jesus, and about the Holy Spirit.

The doctrine of the Trinity resulted from unifying those statements.

I encourage you to read the rules of this forum. In them, you will find Bible verses supporting each line of the Nicene Creed.

 

[Clare73]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, but I didn't see the question fully addressed. While it's true that something does not need to be explicitly named in order for it to be described, but why is the Trinity never explained or described in the Bible? For example, God is never described as three, or three-in-one, nor does the Bible say God is the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." With something as important who God is, why did they not mention who God is using the Trinitarian formula?

Why should it?

It is nevertheless presented, in the way God chose to present it.

Is God governed by the 21st-century mind?
Are we in charge of how his truth should be revealed?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

As the subject suggests, I want to ask about the Trinity. Given that the Trinity is never explained, described, or mentioned in the Bible then why do you believe in it?

Good question. I adhere to the Trinitarian doctrine because it's inferred by the meaning of certain statements which I see spread across the New Testament writings. That's really all there is to it. I'm confident that almost anyone who applies solid critical hermeneutics and exegesis will essentially see the inferences for the Trinity as well.

 

[Maori Aussie]

Given that the Trinity is never explained, described, or mentioned in the Bible then why do you believe in it?

At the baptism of Jesus, we have 1: Jesus, 2: the Holy Spirit descending as a dove, and 3: the Father speaking.
Three in one, all acting with one will.

 

[jacks]

For me the Trinity is one of the things I must take on faith. People more knowledgeable and scholars who have dedicated their lives to the studying the Bible say it's true, so I believe them. However, I must admit if I had just read the Bible without being told about the Trinity, it never would have occurred to me. The only thing that bothers me about it is that Christians are often ridiculed if they don't understand it and embrace it; or even told their not Christians if they question it.

 

[Swan7]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, but I didn't see the question fully addressed. While it's true that something does not need to be explicitly named in order for it to be described, but why is the Trinity never explained or described in the Bible? For example, God is never described as three, or three-in-one, nor does the Bible say God is the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." With something as important who God is, why did they not mention who God is using the Trinitarian formula?

Why ask the question when it is written? Why don't you see for yourself what others have posted and search the scriptures yourself?
As Christians, we are encouraged to search for treasure in scripture, however I will magnify the importance of allowing God to be your guide through His Word.
Without Jesus, we can't hope to understand His own interpretations.

May you be blessed as you diligently search God's Word - Jesus Christ.

 

[Clare73]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, but I didn't see the question fully addressed. While it's true that something does not need to be explicitly named in order for it to be described, but why is the Trinity never explained or described in the Bible? For example, God is never described as three, or three-in-one, nor does the Bible say God is the "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." With something as important who God is, why did they not mention who God is using the Trinitarian formula?

Why in all of Scripture is it not stated that God is sovereign?

The question has been Biblically addressed. . .you just don't like the Biblical answer.

 

[DragonFox91]

One reason I don't hear often is b/c it seems every church that rejects the Trinity (but tries to keep all else the same) soon starts rejecting everything. If you can reject the Trinity & not fall into other errors, it doesn't seem possible. The Trinity is like a pre-req for good teaching. Rejecting the Trinity is the first step off a slope that rejects Jesus's literal miracles, Jesus's literal ascension, etc. They soon become a 'believe whatever you want' kind of a church & the church is to teach the truth (you can't believe whatever you want b/c there is a truth)

 

[timewerx]

I think there are various words and phrases Christians use that are not found in the bible, but that doesn't make them unbiblical. For instance, "Prayer meeting" is not in the bible, but the idea of believers meeting together for prayer is. Then, Christians often talk about "gospel outreach," another phrase that isn't in the bible, but the idea of reaching out with the gospel certainly is. It's the same with "Trinity." The word isn't in the bible, but the idea of the one God existing in 3 Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, certainly is.

I agree. I don't mind Christians saying about the Trinity or believing in it.

What I'm at odds with is requiring belief in it in order to be called a Christian because Jesus Himself did not require it nor it is explicitly stated with consistency. For example, Jesus saying "I and the Father are one" where we could be dealing with only two, instead of three.

Jesus did not even tell us to worship Him nor the Holy Spirit, not even His virgin mother but only the Father unless I missed anything in the Bible.

 

[Clare73]

I agree. I don't mind Christians saying about the Trinity or believing in it.

What I'm at odds with is requiring belief in it in order to be called a Christian because Jesus Himself did not require it nor it is explicitly stated with consistency. For example, Jesus saying "I and the Father are one" where we could be dealing with only two, instead of three.

Jesus did not even tell us to worship Him nor the Holy Spirit, not even His virgin mother but only the Father unless I missed anything in the Bible.

See Mt 28:19.

 

[Runningman]

Why in all of Scripture is it not stated that God is sovereign?

The question has been Biblically addressed. . .you just don't like the Biblical answer.

They explicitly called God the Sovereign Lord in in the below verse.

Acts 4
24When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

 

[Radagast]

What I'm at odds with is requiring belief in it in order to be called a Christian

It's the definition of Christian. Believing that Jesus is God is what makes us Christians.

 

[Clare73]

They explicitly called God the Sovereign Lord in in the below verse.

Acts 4
24When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

The Greek word there is translated "Master" in 1 Tim 6:1, 2, Tit 2:9, 1 Pe 2:6 and is used of Christ in Ac 4:24, Lk 2:29.