tri GOD
To those outside the Christian faith, the doctrine of the Trinity seems a very strange teaching indeed. How can this be? And why would the church propound such a doctrine? For some, the doctrine of the Trinity is a stumbling block to belief. Could it be omitted from Christian faith and theology, without any loss and even with considerable gain?
This doctrine historically was the first that the church felt it necessary to elaborate in a definitive fashion.
The doctrine of the Trinity is a major distinguishing feature of Christianity, which sets it apart from other religions. On the one hand, it clearly distinguishes Christianity from the strongly monotheistic religions such as Judaism and Islam.
The doctrine of the Trinity is also of great importance because it is intimately connected with the Christian’s salvation. If the doctrine of the Trinity is not true, then the understanding of salvation must be modified. Instead of a voluntary self-sacrifice by a member of the Godhead, it is something imposed on a human by God, and thus contains an element of injustice.
THREE QUESTIONS WE WILL CONSIDER:
Is it Biblical? Can we see the facts needed for believing this doctrine implicitly or explictly taught there?
Does it make any sense? The second question pertains to the logical status of this doctrine. If God is three and yet is one, are we facing an apparent logical contradiction? If the Bible requires us to hold this view, is there some way to understand it that will remove this puzzle, or at least soften it enough so that we are not forced to abandon our rationality in order to be Trinitarians? A number of explanations have been attempted, and we will examine them and seek to find the most satisfying.
Does it really matter?
This doctrine historically was the first that the church felt it necessary to elaborate in a definitive fashion.
The doctrine of the Trinity is a major distinguishing feature of Christianity, which sets it apart from other religions. On the one hand, it clearly distinguishes Christianity from the strongly monotheistic religions such as Judaism and Islam.
The doctrine of the Trinity is also of great importance because it is intimately connected with the Christian’s salvation. If the doctrine of the Trinity is not true, then the understanding of salvation must be modified. Instead of a voluntary self-sacrifice by a member of the Godhead, it is something imposed on a human by God, and thus contains an element of injustice.
THREE QUESTIONS WE WILL CONSIDER:
Is it Biblical? Can we see the facts needed for believing this doctrine implicitly or explictly taught there?
Does it make any sense? The second question pertains to the logical status of this doctrine. If God is three and yet is one, are we facing an apparent logical contradiction? If the Bible requires us to hold this view, is there some way to understand it that will remove this puzzle, or at least soften it enough so that we are not forced to abandon our rationality in order to be Trinitarians? A number of explanations have been attempted, and we will examine them and seek to find the most satisfying.
Does it really matter?
posted by Pastor John at
11:17 AM
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