Haydn Lea is an Ordained Minister, and is currently serving as an Air Force Chaplain in Adelaide. In one egg you have the white, the yoke, and the shell composing one full egg. If one of the persons were not there, then we would not have God. . Each one is fully 100% God. These are likewise erroneous or even heretical. Before we look at a few bad analogies that many often use to try to illustrate the trinity, we need to first understand the doctrine itself. 3 - The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons. Paul leaves the Corinthians with this blessing in 2 Corinthians 13:14- May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.. Likewise we cannot have the Father or His Spirit without the Son I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by Me- John 14:6. The following verses attest to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). What makes it hard is that all of our analogies and metaphors fall short of capturing what the Trinity actually is. However, Christians through the ages believe in the Trinity because the truths it represents are taught in the Bible. Admittedly, the idea of three distinct persons/expressions that are each fully God is part of the mystery. I dont know how our majestic God feels about being compared to watermelons and eggs, but He is also a loving Father, and like any father, I believe God would seek to provide simple explanations so His little children can understand. Because Gods Person is unapproachable, the Spirit White acts as insulation, for we know that it is through the Holy Spirit that God can communicate, speak through and interact with mankind. The word Trinity comes from the Latin word trinitas which means tri-unity. Here are a few of the many verses giving evidence of the Trinity in the Bible: Genesis 1:1&2- In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The Holy Spirit was an active participant in the creative process. These three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - exist together in complete unity, with no separation, as one divine being. This is one of the reasons we say that "God is LOVE". His ways are higher than ours, but isnt that a comfort?! Stars were made on the froth day. In humans, our spirits are designed to operate with and be united to the soul which is the person of anyone and so it is with our Egg. But theres one problem: the water analogy is not the biblical picture of God. Revelation 4:3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. That would not be had God be three persons. Perhaps we must be content to admit that we cannot fully understand Gods nature in our finitude. Trinity is like a Shamrock (or an Apple or an Egg). God is like H2O in that the Bible may refer to a specific person of the Trinity but that person is still God. Jesus was standing in the Jordan River, His Father speaks from heaven above, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him as a dove. Vestment Emblems. This is why Jesus said, He who has seen Me, has seen the Father (John 14:9). This analogy actually teaches the heresy of modalism. So, I shot down a lot of images that seems to be pretty helpful. You can throw away one part of an egg (e.g., shell) and still have essentially an egg. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. God created us for community, since God is communal and we were created in His image. So much of what we know about what God does is wrapped up in who He is. It falls into the heresy of tri-theism. Unfortunately, there is a problem with this view of the Trinity. Located in the heart of Quebec's historic district, it is a source of inspiration for visitors from around the world. In the same way is God being the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.. That is why Moses said. The Holy Spirit is the shell, Jesus is the egg white, and the Father is the egg yolk. History, lifestyle, family, music, theology, scripture, literature, the saints, church history, parenting, politics, prayer, the pope, and more. This analogy sounds pretty good, but it is fatally flawed in that is describes the Son and Spirit as creations of the Father. And in our efforts to grasp it, weve come up with a number of analogies. God does not morph from one person to another, nor does God exist as three separate beings. In other words, one stuffness. However, He exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This analogy explains that the Father is like the sun. The mystery is in the "how" this is accomplished; something we will finally understand in heaven. But its all water. All Scripture is taken from the NIV version unless otherwise specified, Author Ignace Franz, translated by Clarence A. Walworth. So, part of understanding the Trinity is realizing that God is personal and relational. The scientific analogy that will be provided in a few moments is truly inadequate to describe the Holy Trinity. Although he is one he has different roles to different people. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each called Jehovah (or Spirit of Jehovah), given divine attributes, and are distinguished from one another. Jesus Person is joined to the Father by the Fathers Holy Spirit, because Gods Spirit is also Jesus Spirit - "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Light comes from God. The water analogy of the Trinity follows this line of reasoning: water can be a solid (ice/frozen water), liquid, and gas (water vapor), and yet all three forms are still water (H 2 O), and likewise, God manifests Himself in 3 different ways in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If youve been involved in ministries for children or young people, questions about the Trinity have most likely come up. Well, the egg analogy, when applied to God, suggests that only one being exists but this being exists in three different parts. in that He is not made up of three parts one part () the Father, another part () Jesus Christ and a third part () the Holy Spirit. THE TRUTH IS: From the very beginning, the Blessed Trinity Father, Son, and Spirit was there. The wonders and ways of God may not be apparent or fully known at present, but we can still marvel at His supremacy and worship Him in wonder- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Love your blogs! The Holy Spirit and Son do not send the Father. We find it in all four Gospels. My name is AnnMarie and I'm so glad you're here! The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. Now God can be in you by His Spirit! In this episode, Fred Sanders discusses what it really means to say that God is a Trinitythree persons in one God. Instead, each person is co-equal, co-powerful and co-eternal. The sun comprises the sun itself, its light and its heat. The word Trinity comes from the Latin word trinitas which means tri-unity. But it cant be that way with God. We can admit it is a mystery and accept that our incomplete knowledge cannot fully comprehend it. A good follow up verse to help explain is the baptism of Jesus. The early church labeled this view "tritheism". My interview: https://www.readlotswritelot.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/, More from Catholicism for the Modern World, https://www.readlotswritelot.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/. For instance at the baptism of Christ, the Father, Son and Spirit are all distinctly present and interacting (Matthew chapter 3 verses 16-17). Some have taken on the task of explaining how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as one. Thus, the Father Himself is not God, nor is the Son, nor is the Holy Spirit, but combining the three, there is one God. In the Scripture we see "the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Col 1:9). Arianism denies the deity of each person in the trinity. These hand embroidered emblems are made with metallic gold-plated thread with silver content, printed on canvas. Common, yes. The Holy Spirit prays for us. The Trinity is Like an Egg How the analogy goes: The Trinity is like an egg. The problem with this analogy is that it denies the distinction of persons in the God-head. I and My Father are One (John 10:30). God Himself explains why some things are still a mystery: For as heaven is higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) Our human minds can never understand all of who God is and how He thinks and acts. Christians believe, then, that only one God exists but this God exists as a unity of three persons: a Trinity. I can only shake my head when He does these things! Haydn describes himself as a five-point Calvinist, but he recognises that many faithful Christians disagree. The Unseen Father keeps the Father that is seen, alive. 1. For since light is always in existence, it is manifest that its brightness also exists, because light is perceived to exist from the fact that it shines, and it is impossible that light should not shine. When we use analogies, we need to indicate these things so as to not lead to heresies, A Catholic and Filipino writer interested in theology, philosophy, liturgy, politics, and law. 1:8-12; 1 Pet. Martyn Iles Removed as Managing Director of Australian Christian Lobby by Board, Seven Types of Rest to Restore Your Body, Mind and Spirit, 8 witnesses testified against Hillsong founder Brian Houston in court case, wife Bobbie reveals, Why you feel guilty for not going to church, Samaritan's Purse sends 52-bed field hospital to Turkey. It is so important that to deny the trinity is to deny Christianity. This little child cannot look at one without experiencing a profound sense of wonderment and awe. Though I find the video to be hilarious and often . Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,, , Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. Water at room temperature is liquid. ORDER from Barnes and NobleAmazon.com or wherever fine books are soldISBN-13: 978-1978167643Return to Cafe Logos Homepage | Bite-Sized Bible Bites. The very definition of the heresy known as Modalism/Oneness is that there is one person existing in three different modes or manifestations. What portion is erroneous? Each one is fully 100% God. Its impossible to be an Orthodox Christian without professing belief in the Triune nature of God. 1A) Dave is a son of Graham and Lois Armstrong. Only the Son became incarnate, took on flesh. Part 2. What is H2O? The Father is fully God; Jesus is fully God and the Holy Spirit is fully God. The three distinct notes come together to make one beautiful sound. Some think of God as H 2 O, which is sometimes a solid (ice), sometimes a liquid (water), and sometimes a gas (steam). They suggest that only one God exists but this God transforms or morphs into each of the different persons Let's begin with the second view. Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Time Analogy God is like time. - well, sort of. These things are referred to as the Economic Trinity. If all you had were an eggshell, you wouldnt have a very exciting breakfast. Understanding 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. I believe that the best way to talk about the Trinity is to simply say that God is one God, who eternally exists in three Persons. Memory, Understanding, and Will. When we look at the egg as an example of the Trinity, we must view it in its entirety. Yet God lovingly chose to create and eventually redeem us anyway (both thoroughly Trinitarian acts), at great cost to Himself. Celebrating Easter Is About so Much More Than One Hour on Sunday. Water Analogy God is like water, or H2O, which can exist in 3 forms. An egg is made up of shell, white and yolk. This is perhaps the most common analogy for the Trinity. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. Analogies often fall short. THE DISTINCTION AND UNITY of the Trinity is not for us to fully understand because it is a supernatural mystery. God is like H2Olike water. Devils cannot grab ahold of them to cast them into Satans prison. Again, this analogy doesnt work because God doesnt morph, change, or become different aspects of Himself. A good example would be an electrical cord. The trinity is like this man. This analogy is still not perfect because each of the aspect cannot stand as egg like each of the persons in the trinity can stand as God. The problem with this analogy is that it teaches that God has three components: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. in which all 3 persons may act or speak as one. And when the time comes when death is allowed to crack your shell in its final hour and your believing soul is released; the Spirit of God that holds you will carry you in His arms to your heavenly home because In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. The Father Matthew 27:45-46 (usually there is no argument that the Father is not God, since every place Jesus speaks to God, he is addressing the Father. If you only had an apple core, you wouldnt pack it in your lunch. When it comes to the Trinity, we tend to forget that an analogy is an "aptness of proportion" or a "resemblance of relations," not an identity of relations. Here's a look at six explanations for why so many people truly believe 3 Ways to Experience The Good Life in Jesus. To put it simply, "The problem with using analogies to explain the Holy Trinity is that you always end up confessing some ancient heresy." . This book is now available in a published format for easy sharing and classroom use. He began to play the organ as a chorister in England, before continuing his studies in Qubec and France. Jonathon serves as a lay pastor at Gospel Life Church in New Braunfels, TX and currently works as the IT Manager for a non-profit ministry. God does not just change forms but exists as three persons in unity. If water is inadequate, there are a wide array of alternative analogies we can turn to in modern theological parlance. The watermelon has a skin, pulp and seeds; the egg is shell, yolk and egg white. Dont become discouraged if you cant answer the question to your liking. We worship one God who exists in three persons. But in the Godhead, each Person is fully and completely God unto Himself (even as they are all one God). Starting with the three biblical affirmations, ask your kids to show you how these examples support or deny what the bible teaches about the Trinity. I dont believe that God wishes us to be confused about the Three that are so apparent throughout the Old and New Testaments. This analogy seems to make a lot of sense, but it actually reinforces a fatal misconception about the Trinity called modalism. In scripture we see explicit trinitarian references, especially at Jesus' baptism where the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son is in the water. He wondered how it was possible that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit could be inseparable, while, in . The Trinity is like an egg. Wow! He got married there in 1965, and his four . Arius was condemned by the council of Nicea in 325 AD. The Trinity is established by 3 Biblical truths, . Some people have suggested using an egg to explain how God can be both one and three. And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. God the Father spoke from heaven and spoke of His Son, Jesus. Or, we can quote Daniel Webster; a strong Christian- I do not pretend fully to understand the arithmetic of heaven now. . We can touch the cord, but not the power it is insulating. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him to equip Him for His ministry. The Trinity is a tri-unity, a unity of Three, - God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God (Phil 2; Acts 5:3-4). But the Father is not the Son or the Spirit. If you say, "water" then you are incorrect. So "son" = "Dave". Through the brokenness of the Shell, His Son, the Spirit white pours out into our beings through our faith in what was done and believers are joined with the yolk, for it is by One Spirit we have access to God the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Thought of Tim Its amazing to think that everything will be so clear when we het to Heaven! 2. show me your glory. Likewise we cannot have the Father or His Spirit without the Son I am the Way the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except by Me- John 14:6. The problem with this analogy is that it would imply that there is only one Divine Person, who eventually multiplied Himself. If God has existed for all eternity in a perfectly loving Triune relationship, then it shows He is completely self-sufficient and requires no further relationship in order to complete or satisfy Himself. H2O can only ever be one form at a time. The Unseen Father is in Christs mind. Have you wondered what is God like? According to modalism, God does not actually exist in three persons. Dont grieve the Holy Spirit out of you. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father., 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. It should bring us to realise that we truly are finite creatures standing before a sovereign, transcendent, divine mystery. The word God in this sense is defined as a single being, having all divine attributes. He has the world and our individual lives within His supremely capable hands. The shortfall of this illustration, and others like it, is that God cannot be divided into "parts." While each person is distinct, they are never separate from one another. It became real to me because I have experienced His love, grace, guidance, redemption, conviction of sin, and fellowship that comes from Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This description that all persons are fully God is called the Ontological Trinity. We believe in only one true God in all existence, in all places, at all times. At the Cathedral, we recognize that there are responsibilities that come with . God is kind of like a man who is a father, a son and an uncle God is kind of like a three-leaf clover, or a triangle; one object, but three different, identifiable leaves, or sides* It is the Fathers desire to join His Spirit with all of us as well for He has said They shall be My sons and daughters (II Corinthians 6:18). But while this idea is central to the Christian faith, it is also incredibly mysterious to us. Eggs are one, yet comprise yolk, shell and albumen. But this idea is central to the Christian faith. The Unseen Father is in Christs mind. To the other major monotheistic faiths (Islam and Judaism), it is rank heresyTrinitarianism is therefore definitional to Christianity. The egg has a shell, the whites and a yoke. What does that really mean? When the Bible talks about God, it may be referring to Jesus Christ in a specific instance, the Holy Spirit in another and God the Father in a third occasion. When we separate them and view them as individual deities, that is the error of tritheism, which is the worship of three individual gods as one. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9). In using analogies, we need to acknowledge the demerits and limitations of the said analogy. The above picture is a famous work of art by Andrei Rubilev, the great medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescos. Yet, as we view the pages of the Bible, we see that God is a personal and relational God. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John14:2, 3). If one of the sides were removed, then there would be no equilateral triangle. The Father hears their intercessory prayers. There's a simple reason they don't work: The Trinity, as such, isn't like anything in creation. You can throw away one part of an egg (e.g., shell) and still have essentially an egg. Just as water changes forms so too is the trinity. They say that three separate beings exist 2. The beautiful depth of Gods eternal Triune nature is a sublime reality which should bring an end to our attempts to cognitively master Him. That is a holding pen for final judgment. But if they give us a warped idea of what they are trying to explain, they arent helpful illustrations. Each separate being is co-equal, co-powerful and co-eternal. Since these bad analogies tend to lead to a heresy, we will examine the main three areas of heresy concerning the trinity.
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