As one considers the teaching of the
Trinity, it becomes clear that there are differences of opinion regarding the matter.
However, it is commonly held that God is one,
i.e. there is one God revealed as three persons, which is known as the Trinity.
These three divine persons are distinct by the
way their relationship to one another. Nevertheless, this does not break
their divine unity. The Father is God Phil
1:2, as is the Son Titus 2:13 and the Holy Spirit Acts 5:3-5, but there is only one God,
Deut 6:4. The teaching is,
“That God is One in essence and
subsists in threeness of Persons (or the Trinity) was one of the first teachings
established in the Church.”[1]
It
is becoming popular to consider that; the
Trinity is social in relation to each
other. That is, there is a depth to God as a loving social communion. This is known as the Social Trinity and can impact our lives in a deep and
meaningful way if better understood. Its basic idea is that the three persons are deeply
unified as God who is one being (essence).[2]
This can be an illuminating truth
regarding God and our relationship with Him.
God is so intimate in relationship that, there is complete oneness in
this unity. This goes beyond our grasp to
fully understand it and is a mystery, but
it is still a reality. That is, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are
one in their loving communion. Although, there are three divine persons, who are
distinct there is nevertheless one God and are perfect love. As it has been said,
“Each
of the Three perfectly loves and is perfectly loved.”[3]
Pause
in His presence for a moment and think this over…
[1] Hoeksema,
Herman. Reformed Dogmatics. (Grand
Rapids, MI: Reformed Free Publishing Association, 1985), 131.
[2] Letham, Robert.
The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History,
Theology and Worship. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2004), 502.
[3] Rohr, Richard.
“The Beloved Community.” https://cac.org/the-beloved-community-2018-05-08/ (13th
February 2019).
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