trinity13

Any attempt to describe the Trinity typically ends up in Modalism. Humans have their limitations in understanding. Most people have difficult enough time getting their heads around the two natures of Jesus Christ.
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What's Modalism?

Modalism is when we describe the three persons of the Trinity as one person who has been manifested in three ways. It is the theological problem with the United Pentecostal Church.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabellianism

We would be modalistic in our explanation if we use the often-used water analogy. That is, water exists as a solid (ice), liquid, and a gas (steam). This is Modalism because it is still _water_ that exists in each of the three states.

The Trinity has been defined by the Athanasian Creed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athanasian_Creed You probably won't understand it the first time you read it. The Athanasian Creed must "grow on you" over time.

(I have a Lutheran friend that suggested once that, if you were to include the Athanasian Creed in a sung mass setting instead of the Nicene Creed, then you would have to set it to a round.)

The Athanasian Creed is worth mining, though. You get this wonderful description of the two natures of Jesus and how it compares to our human nature:

"[Jesus is] One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God."

After all, Jesus has made us all children of God. Think about that for a while.

While we are discussing All Things Trinity, here is your shield of faith: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shield_of_the_Trinit...

thanks rrchapman! just as they taught me haha!

thanks!

And another thought, the belief in the Trinity separates genuine Christianity from weird cults

A mystery. How can it be three persons yet one God? That blows me away. Yet I believe. A question I'd ask Him later when I get there. The Trinity is also the picture of unity. Always works together. Take for example, the Creation!

I am a wife, student, mom, friend, employee, coworker, sister, cousin, etc. The list goes on and on. I understand the Trinity to be an explanation of the various roles our father inhabits. In our lives we have primary roles, secondary roles, etc. We cant really fully function in any of our roles to the fullest at the same time. Im either a student at the moment or a wife at the moment etc. The Trinity is all three at the same time, operating fully in each role concurrently. Thats how I see it.

In some ways I think I can grasp the concept of the Trinity. But I'm sure I have no clue whatsoever. God keeps things a mystery on purpose so we we continually seek Him and desire to know Him.

I don't think we'll ever understand fully the concept of the Trinity. But as Shane said it is crucial. To take it away says (or implies) that Jesus isn't God and that is of course crucial to salvation.
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good thoughts

good stuff

Any description of the Trinity can't come close to the truth. I'm just glad the Trinity meets EVERY need we have through the different characteristics of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

I believe it's completely crucial in the Christian bel. We must know that each person of the God head is active in our lives. They are equal and work in unity but they all have strong personal characteristics.
My recent post The Parable Of The Talents & A Life That Splatters

Any description of the Trinity can't come close to the truth. I'm just glad the Trinity meets EVERY need we have through the different characteristics of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

I believe it's completely crucial in the Christian bel. We must know that each person of the God head is active in our lives. They are equal and work in unity but they all have strong personal characteristics.
My recent post The Parable Of The Talents & A Life That Splatters