As a mom to three kids under 8, an instructional coach, and a former classroom teacher, I know a thing or two about how public schools REALLY work and the challenges we face in the United States. Unfortunately, there are many illustrations which are not simply imperfect, but in error. As long as a shape has those three angles that add up to 180 degrees, it doesnt matter what the angles degrees are. 3:19; Eph. Here is an indication of the divinity of the Word. For instance, each Person: Scripture often names all three members of the Trinity together. How to Explain the Trinity to an Unbeliever The Village Church - Flower Mound 118K subscribers 36K views 5 years ago The Trinity is confusing even to most Christians, so we want to pull the. Read more. How would you explain the Trinity? - The Gathering Community Church Mumbai Egg A single egg is made up of the yolk, the whites, and the shell. What Is the Unholy Trinity in the Bible? - Christianity.com One helpful Scripture explicitly refers to the essence and personhood of the Trinity. 2:511). How is God one? I hate getting spam. This law states that A cannot be both A (what it is) and non-A (what it is not) at the same time and in the same relationship. And God seeks people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Errr, not quite. It's easy to turn doctrinal discussions into strictly intellectual affairs, but as Dr. Fred Sanders teaches in The Triune God course, we need to do so "in a way that enlists the reader's strict and holy attention for what is essentially a spiritual exercise." There are many illustrations which have been offered to help us understand the Trinity. And this illustration helps us understand the Trinity: This illustration shows how the doctrine of the Trinity does not divide God into three parts. Instead, it reveals that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit possess the same divine essence. Satan. The Trinity | Answers in Genesis The Father is God. I recently had some of my kids friends ask meWhat is the Trinity? 2:8-9), we can become Gods children. They are not merely modes or manifestations of the same person (as Oneness theology incorrectly asserts) who sometimes acts as Father, sometimes as Son, and sometimes as Spirit. We believe God is one in essence. It may seem that the Catholic Church and all the Protestant denominations dont have much in common, but they do have this creed to share. "The Trinity is the foundational Christian belief that God is one Being who exists in three Persons." Unpacking the Definition The word Trinity means three-in-one. 11:3336). 2:1011; Heb. For instance he: Jesus has all the features that ensure he, too, is a person. Or what are the objective characteristics that all triangles share? For instance: Additionally, all three members of the Trinity participate together in several critical events. These three persons are of the same substance, equal in power and glory. Thats where the confusion comes from. Why, if they are ALL God? In the early 2000s, people began using a new approach called "deep . Learn how you can know God personally. The answer must be no, because the Bible also indicates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons. That is where I go back to the starting point I mentioned above. Show them that there are three parts: seeds, flesh, and skin. Yet most Christians have difficulty explaining the Trinity clearly and Biblically. 1:318; 1 Pet. How do we know whats age-appropriate for them to understand? The Trinity is important to Christians because it reminds us that God is all-powerful, walked this Earth as a perfect human who can relate to our pain, and also lives on today in our hearts. 20:23; Deut. Whether an object is a rock or a triangle, we can classify it based on its objective characteristics. And certainly not if it were a contradiction. It is one of the two ordinances of the Christian Church. 2:2729). And the voice of the Father declared, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Matt. Why? The answer hinges on the differences in their unique roles. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God. 6:11; Gal. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts - the shell, the white, the yoke - ONE God has THREE different . The three Persons are distinct, yet only constitute one name. Then share them with another Christian or genuine seeker. The Father sent Jesus into the world (John 3:16; Gal. know that I recognise only one God. Perfect for the Bible newbie or the long-time Bible reader. For example, it says of Christ that in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). The Trinity is the perfect loving community of three Persons. Use the links below to jump to a specific section: The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It included Jesus miraculous conception in the virgin Mary (John 3:16)an act that we call the incarnation.. All of this information is a lot to take in at once. In regards to the Trinity, we use the term Person differently than we generally use it in everyday life. Gods One-ness is his One divine essence, 3. Sometimes the Spirit is treated more like a force than a Person. In other words, what are the objective attributes or properties that make up all rocks? When you cut an apple in half, you can see that each of these three parts are different (at this point, you can cut the apple open for your kids! The Father is not one-third of the being of God, He is all of the being of God. The oldest member of the unholy trinity. 5:21), making it possible for us to have a relationship with God. May 23, 2012 by: Justin Buzzard. 5:10), Requested prayer in his name (John 14:1314) and to be honored as God (John 5:23), Begetting the human nature of Christ at the incarnation (Luke 1:35), Inspiring Scripture (2 Tim. Second, notice that each Person must be deity because they are all placed on the same level. 2. But secondly, Christians need to clarify that God is incomprehensible. Three separate beings, all rolled into one entity. The word "trinity" is a term used to denote the Christian doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct, simultaneous persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The substance of God is God, not a bunch of ingredients that taken together yield deity. So, in this article, we will look at where the term originated. From the 1950s to the 2000s, people wanted to see if they could make computers exhibit intelligence indistinguishable from humans. To understand more fully what God is like is a way of honoring God. This explains how God can be both one and three. The problem with this is that it reflects a heresy called modalism. They are personal forms of existence other than a difference in being. Its not unusual for teenagers to give Jesus a bunch of loving characteristics and then put words like justice and vengeance on God the Fathers poster. How is God different? That is because it is the only religion that believes in the Trinity. God the Son. This is a limitation on God that doesnt acknowledge that God isalwaysthe Father,alwaysthe Son, andalwaysthe Holy Spirit. (eds. The Trinity is Christianity's most unique, defining, incomprehensible, and awesome mystery. This is great fun to see how teenagers draw a picture of God. 55:8-9). You may feel like you are drinking from a fire hydrant. Many of us say it every single Sunday morning. And interesting they are listed under a single name. This refers to Gods single essence. What Should Christians Know about the Trinity? See, each member participated in the creation, the incarnation, and redemption. also 1:18). But first, lets cover the basics. 8:6), Jesus is called God (John 1:1-5; John 20:28; Rom. All three members of the Trinity have these characteristics. The most popular is probably the one found in the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . *catholic, meaning universal here, and not a reference to the big C Catholic. You can describe the Trinity in different ways: The wordspersonsandessencerefer to entirely different features relating to God. Of course, if the triangle illustration were perfect, we would be able to comprehend God fully, but we cant. The all powerful one who lives up in Heaven and either judges us mercilessly or loves us endlessly, depending on who you ask. What Is the Doctrine of the Trinity? - Blue Letter Bible That's the one we think of as the Father. 1:20-21), In salutations and benedictions (2 Cor. Weve made a comparison between this object and the Trinity. Understanding the Trinity - Busy Blessed Women Conclusion: Scripture supports the Trinity. 5:510; 1 Cor. Each Person of the Trinity is distinct, 8. John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God." Here is an indication of the divinity of the Word. The Trinity is like an egg or apple. ). . 4 Visual Ways To Explain The Trinity To A Child. How to EXPLAIN The Trinity to a New Believer | Introduction to The 19:26). How do we receive His grace? For example: The Nicene Creed is recited during every service of Holy Communion . Most people, including many Christians, struggle trying to apprehend the Trinity. 11:3336). Principle #3: Order. Unsubscribe at any time. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. 3. Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the Trinity. Question & Answer: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church Therefore, it is often difficult to have a concrete definition of Person as we use it in regards to the Trinity. Its obvious that the Trinity is important to Christianity because its the framework for one of our oldest texts that crosses multiple denominations: the Apostles Creed, written in the 5th century. Third, notice that although the three divine Persons are distinct, we are baptized into their name (singular), not names (plural). They are three real persons, not three roles God plays. 11 Things to Know about the Doctrine of the Trinity - Zondervan Academic He wrote, What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.. One God? The different roles refer to a functional order or functional subordination.. If God is three Persons, does this mean that each Person is one-third of God? draws the believer into a new . With teenagers, you want to take a different approach, and celebrate the mystery of it all. Answer. The Holy Trinity Prek Teaching Resources | TPT The Trinity and Christian Unity - Ligonier Ministries The doctrine is critical, even if not easily comprehended. Yet Jesus would not have referenced the Trinity unless it was important. Our Triune God - Grace To You 8:2327), Resuscitates the dead (Matt. As youll see explained more deeply in one of the videos below, you can think of it this way: I am a human being. This verse accurately states the doctrine of the Trinity that God is One God in three Persons. Jesus is the one whose life we try to copy. In order for something to be contradictory, it must violate the law of noncontradiction. Essenceis the objective set of attributes necessary to the thing being described. Is referred to in the second person (you; Ps. Explaining the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit will be needed at some point when presenting the God of the Bible to children, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and other non-Christians. Think about it: Finite Christians serve an eternal and infinite God. What's the Origin and History of the Trinity in the Church? How to Explain the Trinity to Children | Free Printable - A HEART TO KNOW After Christ rose from the grave, he appeared to the disciples and gave them a job to do: preach the Word to everyone. Deut. 2:10), knows (1 Cor. As theologian and apologist Norman Geisler has explained it, while essence is what you are, person is who you are. 15:19), God is called Father (John 17:1; John 3; 20:17; 1 Cor. 45:5-6, New Testament: Mark 12:29; John 5:44; Eph. Below are several of the most popular ones. Through accepting the undeserved gift of salvation (Eph. They are higher than the heavenswhat can you do?, "For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.. I think it is because they lack at least two pieces of information: The main confusion is that many people dont get this distinction. "The Trinity is the foundational Christian belief that God is one Being who exists in three Persons.. 13:14), the term Trinity does not appear. As Hebrews 9:14 declares. 4. Having seen that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, that they are each fully God, and that there is nonetheless only one God, we must conclude that all three Persons are the same God. Each of the persons is distinct from the other in relation (Economic Trinity), yet each is identical in essence (Ontological Trinity). "It has been said that there have been four centuries when the church's understanding of the person of Christ has been most under attack. What does essence mean? However, let me highlight some of the most significant passages that confirm monotheism: Are you interested in learning more about the Godhead? A rumor is started, and it spreads like wildfire. When he has gone further in his "explanation" of the Trinity than many have gone, he admits, "I am far from asserting this as any . 20 Bible verses that mention all Trinity members - OverviewBible Help others in their faith journey through discipleship and mentoring. ETS members all confess the Father, the Son, and the Spirit to be "one in essence, equal in power and glory.". Their prime usefulness it to show the mystery is not contradictory. The technical term in case youre interested for this wrong way of thinking about God is calledmodalism. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. Learn why He did it and what it means for you. As a former youth minister and childrens minister, Ive already done your research! But that doesn't mean the concept isn't clearly taught. We then turn to the most important strategies that have been developed by Christians to resolve this problem. For if we deny this, we have denied Gods unity and affirmed that there is more than one being of God (i.e., that there is more than one God). But that doesnt mean the concept isnt clearly taught. If youd like to get away from simple object lessons and move your child toward a deeper understanding of Gods nature, check out The Attributes of God for Kids. I am fully human. So even if the Bible did call the Trinity a mystery it would only be saying it was unknown to the one not illuminated, i.e. Looking for a great childrens Bible? The Bible reveals that God isone, in essence, eternally revealed inthree Persons. You can help us reach children and their families to know Jesus. And likewise with the Holy Spirit. Look at what the Bible clearly shows: that there is one God ( Deuteronomy 6:4) that the Father is called God ( Ephesians 4:6 ), that Jesus (the Son) is called God ( Titus 2:13) and existed with God before creation ( John 1:1; 17:4) and the Holy Spirit is attributed . Binmin Podcast 8: God & Origins | What Questions Should I Ask About My Faith, Binmin Podcast Ep. 13:14; 1 Pet.1:2), In the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1025), When Jesus promises the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1:48), Peters sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:33; Acts 3839), Peter and apostles answer the high priest (Acts 5:3032), During Stephens heavenly vision at his stoning (Acts 7:5556), In Peters sermon to the gentiles in Caesarea (Acts 10:3638; Acts 4448), When Peter reports to the Jerusalem church (Acts 11:1518), When Peter speaks at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:811), During Pauls interaction with Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:2531), Pauls epistles (Rom. Showing God in action in and through His people. Well, we can know because God has given us his special revelation: the Bible. How can we pack more meaning and deeper, Read More Holy Week for Kids: How to Teach Beyond Easter SundayContinue, Not every child is born with tons of self esteem. In eternity past, before the beginning, God was alone. Gods essence is His being. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. So, rather than starting there, heres where were headed: To think we will everfullyunderstand the Trinity is to make the mistake of thinking God is fully understandable. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Must you become a better person so that God will accept you? Paul unequivocally taught Jesus is God (Col. 2:9). But all three must be present simultaneously for the geometric figure to be a triangle. He was "begotten, not made," and he was of the same substance or essence ( homoousios) as the Father. The Bible teaches the Trinity beginning with the days of creation. Surely not. Have a great discussion about it! Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. The Holy Spirit is God, but He is not the Son or the Father. In other words, there is one God who exists as three distinct Persons. Tozerputs it well in The Knowledge of the Holy. Why not consider these truths and place your faith in Jesus (1 John 5:1)? Two biblical teachings confirm the doctrine of the Trinity: How is that possible? John says in the first verse of the book: "The Word was with God, and the Word was God.". Its okay for them to have a very limited understanding of God. That way were providing a simple, common language and framework for everything else were going to say (or any analogies we use). Trinity may be a new term for you and can be confusing even for Christians to explain to others. Does the Holy Spirit look like Casper? Just hang on a little longer. If we were to translate it . 5:2122; John 13:34), End-time judgment (Matt. Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? Discipleship 101: How to Disciple a New Believer - Crossway 92:8) and third person (he, his, him) singular pronouns (1 Kings 18:39). Genesis 1:1says this: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.. Or stated simply, the triangles what-ness.. But it also raises many difficult questions. Its okay to admit you dont know everything. God the Father spoke the creative words to bring the universe into being (Gen. 1:1). understand the doctrine of the Trinity. We will never sell your information, for any reason. 7:28; Ps. The concept of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be one of the central Christian affirmations about God. 23:2324). 9:5; Col. 2:9), The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:34; 2 Cor. Dont despair. A subreddit for the encouragement and discussion of the Biblical Unitarian position which holds Lets apply these concepts to the Trinity. 8:6a). 3:17), Omnipresence (Ps. The Trinity doctrine developed over hundreds of years and was influenced by the teachings of pagan Greek philosophers. How to explain the Trinity to a non-Christian - Quora Ironically, not much is known about his death; even the year when he passed away is up for debate. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. But each member had a different function. We begin with a brief discussion of the doctrine in historical context, explaining more fully the nature of the problem it raises. 9:18; Matt. In this case, "immanent" means "the action remaining within an agent.". Steam, water, and ice are all H20. Every time the wordElohim(plural) is used throughout the Old Testament referring to the one, true God, it is used with a singular conjugation of the verb. After all, if the trinitarian nature of God is not in the Bible, why bother talking about it at all? Scriptural evidence supports every element proving the Trinity. How to Teach Kids the Trinity with an Apple Object Lesson Grab an apple and share these five truths with your kids: An apple has three parts: the seeds, the flesh, and the skin. They had to wait another 50 year for the 381 update. 2. The personhood of each member of the Trinity means that each Person has a distinct center of consciousness. The prologue of the Gospel of John has the strongest argument for the Trinity. The Trinity consists of one being revealed in three distinct persons. Actually, March 17 commemorates St. Patrick's death, actually. . PDF UNDERSTANDING THE TRINITY - Silica Bible Chapel 1:7; 2 Tim. In describing the Trinity, the New Testament clearly distinguishes three Persons who are all simultaneously active. More posts you may like r/TrueChristian It is the same thing in three different forms. There was never a time when one of the Persons of the Godhead did not exist. There are two other major monotheistic world religions namely Judaism and Islam. 1:2), Jesus as God (Titus 2:13), and the Holy Spirit as God (Acts 5:3-4). Christ through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God.. Understanding the Doctrine of the Trinity (+ Free Printable) A simpler way to talk about the Trinity is through "God grammar.". But Scripture provides ample evidence of the existence of the Trinity. Hes the one who walked the Earth blamelessly, performing miracles, and extending mercy and love. Can We Explain the Trinity? | Desiring God There would only be a contradiction if we said that God is three in the same way that He is one. As Christians, we derive our concept of person from the relations in the Trinity. God addressed in the second person singular (you): 2 Sam. Nonetheless, while recognizing the distinct roles that each Person has, we should never think of their roles as so separate that the other Persons are not involved. While this is in my mind the simplest, clearest explanation, I understand that even this breaks down when we go further and say I am a human and I am Keith Ferrin. 10:57), The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian. Three parts in one, yet all very much an egg. Now we will turn our attention to showing the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are persons.. Unfortunately, it is also a doctrine that is surrounded by disagreement and controversy among believers. Monotheism is foundational to Christianity. December 19, 2018. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. Trinity: Loving relationship defines God's very being If someone already has an understanding based on the definition and explanation above, then these analogiesmighthelp them grasp aspects of the Trinity. Then I'll share an activity using the Celtic Trinity Knot to explain the Trinity to children along with the love that exists between each of its Persons and us. The Trinity is like an egg. It is the revelation of who our Almighty Creator actually isnot just a god, but an infinite Being existing in eternity as three co-equal, infinite Persons, consubstantial yet distinct. . Wayne Grudem explains: But if each person is fully God and has all of Gods being, then we also should not think that the personal distinctions are any kind of additional attributes added on to the being of God . Third, Christians believe that the entire New Testament is inspired. That is ok when it comes to rocks and triangles. What does it take to begin a relationship with God? Simply put: without three angles, theres no triangle! God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The next time you (or I) are asked to explain the Trinity, you could start with a 1-sentence definition and then unpack that definition. The Holy Spirit isnt like an egg yolk, because the egg yolk is only part of an egg, whereas the Holy Spirit isnt part of God it IS God. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. It is understandable that our finite minds cannot grasp an infinite God. How do I explain to a non-believer that belief in the Trinity is Finally I would end with Deuteronomy 29:29 which helps us to realize that we cannot fully comprehend God. That isGod is three Persons in onethe Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The three most common go-to analogies for explaining the Trinity are water, an egg, and the sun. After all, the Trinity is difficult to understand. God the Holy Spirit is the warmth you feel from the sun.