What About The Trinity?

Christianity is a bit tricky.  We affirm Jesus is the most visible, incarnate expression of God -- the Word (John 1:1-4); evident, in existence, 'from the beginning.'  Yet, we also affirm a triune God:  God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.  

Commonly referred to as the Trinity, a triune expression of God is in fact not a contradiction of the Word, but a reminder that the Word, Jesus, is ultimately an expression of a larger entity: God the Almighty, who in all  fullness and glory is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, expressing Himself as Trinity.

But things get trickier.  Why as The Jehovah’s Witnesses and other alternative religious groups point out, the word 'trinity' is never found in scripture.  Well, technically that's correct; the word Trinity is not explicitly found in scripture.   But it’s strongly inferred.   For example, Jesus commands us in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).  And in 2 Corinthians 13, Paul prays:  “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.”  (2 Corinthians 13:4).   Translated:  over and over scripture emphasizes the glory, the bounty, the fullness, of not just a Jehovah God, but an Almighty God. 

 

One of the joys of our recent California trip were all the incredible flowers; they were everywhere!  One of the most impressive was the flowering Jasmine plant.  Characterized by deep roots -- a beautiful stalk and blossom – and an incredible aroma – it is a mighty plant opening, interestingly, only at night!   Years ago, the famed church father Tertullian observed that the Trinity is a lot like a plant like a Jasmine plant!  Why the Trinity is an Almighty God that blooms and flourishes, with God the Father as the deep root – God the Son as the beautiful stalk and blossom – and God the Holy Spirit as the incredible aroma,  spreading “…beauty and fragrance…”  opening up in the darkness of our life!   Now it’s all one plant – but ‘thank the Lord’ for three expressions of the plant – multiplying the glory, the bounty, the fullness of an Almighty God.    

Is it any wonder Paul breaks into a doxology in Romans 11:  “Oh, the depth of the riches…of God! How untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!...For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. [For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him, and all things center…and…end in Him.] To Him be glory forever! Amen…”  (Romans 11:33-36, The Amplified Bible).