TBC Doctrinal Class - The Trinity (Part 2)

TBC DOCTRINAL CLASS 2 PARAGRAPH 2: THE TRINITY MEMORY VERSE Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received 7 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6–7 MEMORY VERSE Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received 7 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ___ _______, rooted and built up __ _____ and established __ _____ ______, just as you were taught, abounding __ _____________. Colossians 2:6–7 MEMORY VERSE Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received 7 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6–7 MEMORY VERSE Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you ! Christ Jesus the Lord, so "# 7 in him, $ and % up in him and & in the faith, just as you were ', ⛲ in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6–7 MEMORY VERSE Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV) Therefore, as you received 7 Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6–7 DO WE BELIEVE THIS? 2. In one God eternally existing in three co-equal persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each having the same attributes and perfection (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13-14). WHAT DOES THIS STATEMENT MEAN? 2. In one God eternally existing in three co-equal persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each having the same attributes and perfection (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13-14). IN ONE GOD ETERNALLY EXISTING IN THREE CO-EQUAL PERSONS, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, EACH HAVING THE SAME ATTRIBUTES AND PERFECTION (DEUTERONOMY 6:4; 2 CORINTHIANS 13-14). 1. There is one God. 2. This one God eternally subsists in three distinguishable Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3. The Persons of the Trinity are co-equal in attributes and perfections. 1. THERE IS ONE GOD. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Deuteronomy 4:35 (ESV) To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him. Deuteronomy 4:39 (ESV) know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Zechariah 14:9 (ESV) And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD’S ONENESS? A. Idolatry is forbidden. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (ESV)Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet for us there is one God . . . WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD’S ONENESS? B. Tritheism [the teaching that there are 3 Gods] cannot be correct. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (ESV)Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOD’S ONENESS? C. Our salvation is tied to our knowing the one God. John 17:3 (ESV) And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. What is slightly odd about God’s oneness in 1 Corinthians 8:6 and John 17:3? 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (ESV)Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. John 17:3 (ESV) And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. The “one God” is identified in both passages as the Father + “Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (ESV)Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. John 17:3 (ESV) And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. The “one God” is also connected to the “one Spirit” and “one Lord” (i.e., Christ) in other passages. Ephesians 4:3–6 (ESV) eager to maintain the unity 4 of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to 5 the one hope that belongs to your call— one 6 Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. IN ONE GOD ETERNALLY EXISTING IN THREE CO-EQUAL PERSONS, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, EACH HAVING THE SAME ATTRIBUTES AND PERFECTION (DEUTERONOMY 6:4; 2 CORINTHIANS 13-14). 1. There is one God. 2. This one God eternally subsists in three distinguishable Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3. The Persons of the Trinity are co-equal in attributes and perfections. 3 Truths of the Trinity • God is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. • Jesus is God. Hebrews 1:8a (ESV) But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, • Jesus is distinct from the Father. Matthew 27:46c (ESV) “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 10 Statements on the Trinity 1. God is one. 2. The Father is God. 3. Jesus is God. 4. The Holy Spirit is God. 5. The Son is not the Father. 6. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Father is not the Son. 8. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. 9. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. 10. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. Problem: Our brains can hold only 2 sets of facts at the same time. 1. God is one. 2. The Father is God. 3. Jesus is God. 4. The Holy Spirit is God. 5. The Son is not the Father. 6. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Father is not the Son. 8. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. 9. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. 10. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. Problem: Our brains can hold only 2 sets of facts at the same time. 1. God is one. 2. The Father is God. 3. Jesus is God. 4. The Holy Spirit is God. 5. The Son is not the Father. 6. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Father is not the Son. 8. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. 9. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. 10. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. IS THE TRINITY A HOAX? WESTERN DISCOVERY OF THE PLATYPUS a hoax - perhaps a taxidermy construction of a • duck's bill attached to the body of a mole • beaver-like tail • otter-like feet • mammal that lays eggs • mammal with poisonous spur (males) The Trinity is not a hoax, but it is unfamiliar. A SPHERE PASSING THROUGH FLATLAND taken from Adonis Vidu, The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021),123. The doctrine of the Trinity is difficult explain because it is like “a sphere that goes through twodimensional space—let’s call it Flatland, after Edwin A. Abbott’s 1884 novella—and changes positions in relation to it.” A SPHERE PASSING THROUGH FLATLAND taken from Adonis Vidu, The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021),123. “For an observer in Flatland, it will appear as if a circle moves positions, decreases or increases its circumference, shrinks down to being almost a point. The knowledge that what he is experiencing is ultimately a relation with another three-dimensional object will alert him not to take at face value his experience.” Does the Bible teach this? 1. God is one. 2. The Father is God. 3. Jesus is God. 4. The Holy Spirit is God. 5. The Son is not the Father. 6. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Father is not the Son. 8. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. 9. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. 10. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. Does the Bible teach this? 1. God is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV) “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Does the Bible teach this? 2. The Father is God. Colossians 1:2 (ESV) To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. Colossians 1:3 (ESV) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, Does the Bible teach this? 3. Jesus is God. Hebrews 1:8a (ESV) But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, John 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Does the Bible teach this? 4. The Holy Spirit is God. Acts 5:3 (ESV) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:4d You have not lied to man but to God.” Where does the Bible clearly teach the distinctions between the Persons of the Trinity? 5. Jesus is not the Father. 6. Jesus is not the Holy Spirit. 7. The Father is not the Son. 8. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. 9. The Holy Spirit is not the Father. 10. The Holy Spirit is not the Son. The baptism of Jesus clearly distinguishes between the Persons of the Trinity. Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized 22 and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” The Great Commission distinguishes between the three Persons (even though the singular name speaks to the unity of the three Persons). Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Other passages mention all 3 members of the Trinity. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Other passages mention all 3 members of the Trinity. Hebrews 9:14 (ESV) how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Other passages mention all 3 members of the Trinity. 1 Peter 1:1–2 (ESV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Our homework distinguished the Persons of the Trinity from One Another if we read whole chapters in context. HOMEWORK TIME In John 20 (in ESV) . . . 1. How many direct references to the 2nd Person of the Trinity (i.e., Jesus, Christ, the Lord)? 23 (25 if including Teacher and Rabboni) 2. How many pronominal references to the 2nd Person of the Trinity (i.e., he, him, his, etc.)? 29 3. How many direct references to the Father? 5 (perhaps 7 depending on v. 17) HOMEWORK TIME In John 20 (in ESV) . . . 4. How many pronominal references to the Father (i.e., he, him, his, etc.)? 0 5. How many direct references to the Holy Spirit? 1 6. How many pronominal references to the Holy Spirit (i.e., he, him, his, etc.)? 0 WHY READ JOHN 20 WITH SOMEONE WHO IS UNCERTAIN OF THE TRINITY? Both Jesus and the Father are identified as God. John 20:17 (ESV) Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” John 20:28 (ESV) Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” WHAT OTHER PASSAGES DID YOU STUDY? ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE PASSAGES? WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THE HOMEWORK? To help us see that the Trinity shows up all over the Bible once we stop and look for all 3 Persons being distinguished from one another in the same passage. WHY MUST WE DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD? 1. To avoid the heresy of Unitarianism. Unitarianism. A type of Christian thought and religious observance which rejects the doctrines of the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ in favour of the unipersonality of God. Unitarians have no formal creed. . . . Owing to their belief in the abiding goodness of human nature, they are critical of the orthodox doctrines of the *Fall, the *Atonement, and eternal punishment. F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 1671. Can we reject “the doctrines of the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ in favour of the unipersonality of God” and still be Christians? 1 John 2:22–23 (ESV) Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Can we reject “the doctrines of the Trinity and the Divinity of Christ in favour of the unipersonality of God” and still be Christians? 1 John 5:11–12 (ESV) And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in 12 his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. WHY MUST WE DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD? 1. To avoid the heresy of Unitarianism. 2. To avoid the error of Modalism. Modalism: In the early Church a form of unorthodox teaching on the Trinity which denied the permanence of the three Persons and maintained that the distinctions in the Godhead were only transitory. Among its leading exponents were *Praxeas, *Noetus, and Sabellius (see sabellianism). It was a form of *Monarchianism (q.v.) and also known as *Patripassianism.q.v. quod vide (Lat., which see). F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 1104. WHY MUST WE DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD? 2. To avoid the error of Modalism. Modalism: Also known as *patripassianism and Sabellianism, modalism was deemed a heretical doctrine by the early church. To preserve the unity of God and at the same time make sense of the doctrine of the Trinity, modalist teachers like Sabellius taught that one God appeared in three distinct modes: the Father in creation, the Son in redemption and the Holy Spirit in sanctification. Modalism falls under the larger category of *monarchianism, the attempt to defend the unity of God against charges of tritheism. Nathan P. Feldmeth, Pocket Dictionary of Church History: Over 300 Terms Clearly and Concisely Defined, The IVP Pocket Reference Series (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008), 98. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE TRINITY? THE ATHANASIAN CREED Whoever wants to be saved should above all cling to the catholic faith. Whoever does not guard it whole and inviolable will doubtless perish eternally. Now this is the catholic faith: We worship one God in trinity and the Trinity in unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the divine being. . . . This is the catholic faith. One cannot be saved without believing this firmly and faithfully. IS THE ATHANASIAN CREED BIBLICAL? THE ATHANASIAN CREED Whoever desires to John 14:6, Acts be saved must, above 4:12, Rom. all, hold the catholic 3:23-25, 10:13, Heb. faith. 11:6 Whoever does not Mark 9:43, Rom. keep it whole and 2:6-8, 6:23, 1 Cor. undefiled will without 1:18, Gal 3:10-11, 2 doubt perish Thes. 1:8-9, Rev. 21:8 eternally. THE ATHANASIAN CREED And the catholic faith Gen. 1:26, Deut. is this, that we 6:4, Is. 43:10, Matt. worship one God in 3:16-17, 28:19, Mark Trinity and Trinity in 12:29, 12:32, John Unity, neither 10:30, 2 Cor. confusing the 13:14, Eph. 4:5, Jas. persons nor dividing 2:19 the substance. THE ATHANASIAN CREED This is the catholic John 3:18, Gal. faith; whoever does 1:8, 2 Thes. not believe it 2:15, Jude 3 faithfully and firmly cannot be saved. IN ONE GOD ETERNALLY EXISTING IN THREE CO-EQUAL PERSONS, FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, EACH HAVING THE SAME ATTRIBUTES AND PERFECTION (DEUTERONOMY 6:4; 2 CORINTHIANS 13-14). 1. There is one God. 2. This one God eternally subsists in three distinguishable Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3. The Persons of the Trinity are co-equal in attributes and perfections. THE ATHANASIAN CREED Matt. 3:16-17, Mark For the Father is 1:9-11, Luke one person, the 3:21-22, John Son is another, 1:18, 6:44, 10:15, 14:1 6-17, 14:26-27, 15:26, and the Holy 16:7, 16:13-15, Acts Spirit is another. 8:29, 10:19, 13:2-4, Ro m. 8:27, 1 Cor. 8:6, Eph. 4:4-6 THE ATHANASIAN CREED But the Godhead of the Gen. 1:2, 1:26, Ex. 3:14-15, Is. 44:6, John Father and of the Son 8:58, 16:15, Acts 5:3-4, Rom. and of the Holy Spirit is 8:9, 1 Cor. 12:4-6, Col. one: the glory equal, 2:9, Heb. 9:14, 10:29, 1 Pet. the majesty coeternal. 1:2, Rev. 5:13, 21:22-23 Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit: THE ATHANASIAN CREED the Father eternal, the Is. 9:6, 48:12, Matt. Son eternal, the Holy 3:11, John 1:1, 1:3, Rom. Spirit eternal. And yet 1:4, 1 Cor. 8:4, Col. there are not three 1:17, Heb. 9:14, Tit. Eternals, but one Eternal, 3:5-6, Rev. 1:8, 22:13 just as there are not three Uncreated or three Infinites, but one Uncreated and one Infinite. THE ATHANASIAN CREED in the same way, the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, the Holy Spirit almighty; and yet there are not three Almighties but one Almighty. Gen. 17:1, 18:14, Ps. 62:11, Matt. 19:26, Mark 14:36, Luke 1:35, John 5:21, 1 Cor. 8:4, 12:4, 12:11, Eph. 1:20-21, 3:20-21, Phil. 3:20-21, Col. 2:9-10, Heb. 1:3, 1 Pet. 3:22, Rev. 1:8, 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, 1 6:14, 19:6 THE ATHANASIAN CREED So the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God; and yet there are not three Gods, but one God. Gen. 1:26, Is. 9:6, Matt. 1:23, 28:19, John 1:1, 1:14, 6:27, 10:30, 20:28; Acts 5:3-4, 20:28, Rom. 9:5, 1 Cor. 2:10-11, 3:16, 6:19, 8: 4, 2 Cor. 1:21-22, 3:17, Col. 1:15-17, 2:9, Tit. 2:10 THE ATHANASIAN CREED So the Father is Lord, the Son is Deut. 6:4, Matt. 11:25, Luke 2:11, Acts 10:36, 1 Cor. 6:14, 2 Cor. 3:17, Rev. Lord, the Holy Spirit is Lord; and 17:14 yet there are not three Lords, but one Lord. Just as we are compelled by the Christian truth to acknowledge each distinct person as God and Lord, so also we are prohibited by the catholic religion to say that there are three Gods or Lords. HOW CAN GOD BE ONE AND THREE AT THE SAME TIME? There are no easy explanations because there are no exact parallels in nature, only very imperfect, partial parallels. Thus, the Trinity is a theological mystery. Technically, God is not One and Three in the same category. The one-ness refers to God’s essence and the three-ness refers to the Persons. Note: God’s essence is not a 4th thing that is separate from the Persons. Scripture says so. I.e., Scripture speaks of distinct Persons in unity. SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF DISTINCT PERSONS IN UNITY. John 10:30 (ESV) I and the Father are one.” John 17:11 (ESV) And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF DISTINCT PERSONS IN UNITY. John 17:21–22 (ESV) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, 22 so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF DISTINCT PERSONS IN UNITY. John 17:21–22 (ESV) that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so 22 that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, Romans 8:9 (ESV) You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Imperfect Parallel from Organic Chemistry What is this? Resonance hybrid of the nitrate ion, [NO3]−. How does the Resonance hybrid of the nitrate ion, [NO3]− help us understand the Trinity? Nabeel Qureshi Imperfect Parallel from Magnetism “In a magnet the poles north (N) and south (S) are not parts of the magnet, but functions of, and ‘subsistent relations’ within the magnetic field. N and S are not parts because it is impossible to partition the magnetic field in that way. If one of the poles were to disappear, there would be no magnetic field.” Adonis Vidu, The Same God who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021), 151. Application to the Trinity The Trinity is like an imaginary magnetic field with 3 poles. The magnetic field represents the unity of the Trinity. The 3 poles represent the Persons of the Trinity. However, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not parts of the Trinity since If you take away one of the Persons of the the Godhead, the Godhead no longer exists. Imperfect Parallel from Magnetism “The magnet as a whole attracts the object. The action of drawing or magnetising belongs to the magnet as a whole. . . . Yet the poles of the magnet can be clearly distinguished from one another in the way the objects are attached to them and how objects variously receive some of their properties” Adonis Vidu, The Same God who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021), 152. Application to the Trinity The Trinity is a unity, but the Persons of the Trinity can be distinguished as they act upon objects and persons just like we can distinguish which pole an object is attracted to or which pole gives its charge to an object. What is a theological mystery? mysteria fidei: mysteries of the faith; i.e., the doctrines known by revelation that transcend the grasp of reason Richard A. Muller, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1985),198. The Bible uses mystery to refer to a truth that is known only because God directly revealed it. Ephesians 3:1–6 (ESV) For this reason I, Paul, . . .— 2assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,5which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. IMPLICATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY God is holy in the sense of distinctly separate in a category by himself. • We should be grateful that our God is both mysteriously great and yet chooses to make Himself known to His creatures. • We need humility. • THE TRINITY AND THE NEED FOR HUMILITY to accept the fact that we cannot wrap our minds around God’s being/personhood • to not demand that the Infinite fit Himself into the box of a finite human mind • THE TRINITY AND THE NEED FOR HUMILITY Isaiah 57:15 (ESV) For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.