Dear Friends,

Several months ago I introduced you to a fine little book, The Presbyterian Handbook, published by Geneva Press, that tries to make our church tradition understandable in a brief, serious, but also entertaining way.  I promised that from time to time I would share with you some of the parts I found to be especially helpful.  This month I'd like to share with you:  HOW TO UNDERSTAND THE TRINITY AS ONE GOD IN THREE PERSONS.  An idea extrapolated from the scriptures, though not taught in them explicitly, the Doctrine of the Trinity is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which are that all classically Christian groups affirm it as descriptive of God, and that it is unique in characterizing God as dynamic and relational instead of static and removed from life and life's relational character.  The article begins by stating the obvious:

"The Trinity is a mystery.  Even the great theologians don't completely understand how God can be "one God in three persons."  Some scholars spend their whole lives studying it.  After two thousand years, Christians still believe this mystery because it gives life and shape to everything in our lives: our relationships, our faith, and especially our worship.

The Trinity affirms: God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Father is not the Son; the Spirit is not the Son; the Father is not the Spirit; the Father is God; the Son is God; the Spirit is God.

The great mystery of the Trinity has many important implications for living the Christian life.
1. God is not "three-faced."  All of God participates in all God's activities.  We will not find opposition among the persons of the trinity.  So, what we believe the Holy Spirit is leading us toward in our lives will not be contrary to what God the Father has revealed or God the Son has shown us.  We can have confidence in God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. Divine and Human Community.  The three persons of the Trinity share the "divine community," whose bond is love.  The Trinity provides a model for the human community, since humans are created in the image of God and find their fullest life by living in a community of fellowship with others and with God.  We will not seek isolated lives, but communal lives.
3. A Model for Love.  "God is love" (I John 4:16) and God's people are to share love with one another because "Love is from God" (I John 4:7).  Love is shared among the three persons of the Trinity and those who love God will share love in the human community and in all our relationships.  We live love with one another."

Short and sweet.  The other thing that I've sometimes thought helpful to share is (cribbing a line from Frederick Beuchner) that, despite appearances to the contrary, there really is only One God.  Or put simply - for Christians, there is only, always, One God, whom we have, and continue to experience in three distinctive ways.  Hope that helps - some!   At any rate,

Peace,
Brett