The Trinity

Throughout the Scriptures, God makes unequivocally clear that there is only one God (Geisler, 2011). Deuteronomy 6:4 states, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.” However, the Bible also teaches that there are three distinct, coeternal, and coequal persons who are God (Groothius, 2008). In the Bible, the Father is portrayed as God, the Son is presented as God, and the Spirit is revealed as God (Geisler, 2011). Although this appears to be an egregious contradiction, the serious Bible student soon realizes that the tri-unity of God is not an irrational position but a doctrine expressly portrayed in Scripture which allows for other key doctrine to exist, such as the Incarnation (Groothius, 2008). To facilitate in explaining this highly complex idea, Tertullian coined the term trinity to allow the Christian to express this essential doctrine (Cairns, 1996). Simply stated, the trinity means that there are “three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 John 5:7). Since the Bible lucidly displays that three persons exist eternally in the Godhead, the Christian must understand what the Bible teaches and be prepared to ferociously defend it against the onslaught of heretical teaching.

The Trinity Displayed

            Unmistakably, the blessed trinity is revealed in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. While the trinity is not explicitly expressed in the Old Testament, there are many scattered hints which describe the triune nature of God (Sproul, 2011). The plural names used of Deity, such as Elohim, suggest that there are three persons who exist eternally as God. Remarkably, the very first verse of Scripture contains this title of God, followed by a singular verb, which subtly signifies a trinity (Evans, 1992). Furthermore, the writers of the Old Testament apply plural pronouns when penning the dialogue of God, further painting a picture of one God with a plurality of persons (Evans, 1992). Finally, each person in the trinity is mentioned in the Old Testament and acts in noticeable, yet seemingly indiscernible, ways (Pearlman, 2013). Although the Old Testament only hints at and offers signs of the trinity, the New Testament unambiguously portrays it in multiple passages and unapologetically declares its validity and existence. A sundry of single verses mention all three persons, such as 1 Peter 1:2 and Hebrews 9:14 (Pearlman, 2013). Moreover, the New Testament declares that each person is God. Paul repeatedly opened his letters with God the Father; Jesus Christ was Immanuel, God with us, and the Word; and the Spirit possessed the names and attributes generally associated with Deity (Geisler, 2011). Finally, at the baptism of Jesus, all three persons are present and manifesting themselves. As Jesus was being baptized, the Spirit of God descended like a dove and lighted upon him, and the Father spoke from Heaven that “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). Since all three persons are present at Christ’s baptism and are elsewhere described as divine, the only logical conclusion is that all three exist eternally as God (Pearlman, 2013). Thus, the Christian should accept the responsibility of attempting to know God’s divine nature and preserving its purity from any dissenting assaults.

The Trinity Denied

            Unfortunately, because of the Bible’s clear teaching of monotheism, many skeptics have vehemently opposed and denied the trinity (Sproul, 2011). While the reasons for its denial vary, objections to the trinity have existed since the time of the early church fathers. One form of rejection is known as Modalistic Monarchianism. Also known as Sabellianism, named after the man who greatly popularized it, this erroneous theory teaches that God is not a trinity of persons, but a trinity of modes who manifested himself differently at various moments of history (Tillich, 1968). In other words, God revealed himself as the Father throughout the Old Testament, as the Son to redeem mankind, and as the Holy Spirt after the resurrection of Christ (Cairns, 1996). Sadly, although soundly refuted by the early patriarchs of the faith, Monarchianism has persisted throughout the centuries and is currently taught by Oneness Pentecostals (Boyd, 1992). Furthermore, the Jehovah’s Witness is another cult which instructs its passionate followers that the trinity is spurious. They teach that the doctrine is derived not from God or his Word, but from the inspiration of Satan (Martin, 1977). Their leaders brainwash their congregations into subscribing to historical lies concerning the trinity, such as it was not conceived by the early church fathers or it is pagan mythology (Martin, 1977). Still yet, Unitarians unequivocally deny the trinity and believe that there is but one God who is solitary entity and who revealed himself through the various men of the Bible (Martin, 1977). It is rather unfortunate and disheartening to realize that a vast number of individuals have been persuaded to reject the trinity and opt for some other alternative.

The Trinity Defended

            Fortunately for the Christian apologist, such weak and tenuous positions can be utterly repudiated by a thorough perusal of Scripture, Church history, and natural observations. When disputing false accusations directed at the trinity, he has the authority of God and his Word propelling him forward. The notion that the trinity was not taught or believed by any of the early church fathers is absolutely absurd and unfounded (Boyd, 1992).  For example, Polycarp, a courageous Christian who sacrificed his life for the sake of the gospel, identified in his writings God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct persons, each eternally existing as Deity (Geisler, 2011). Moreover, to concisely express a critical doctrine, the early church fathers held councils and drafted creeds which declared truths of God’s Word in sentence form. The Athanasian Creed was one such creation and plainly declared that “we worship one God in trinity, and trinity in unity… the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Ghost is God” (Pearlman, 2013). These powerful examples fully dispel the mistaken conception that the trinity is a fabrication invented centuries subsequent to the life of Jesus. Additionally, while some scoffers claim that the idea of a trinity is an obvious contradiction, many illustrations exist in nature which allow for the human mind to better understand this glorious mystery of God. For example, there are three branches that compose the American government (the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch). The government is one, yet exists simultaneously in three differing branches (Pearlman, 2013). Since the trinity is clearly expressed throughout the Bible and has endured diligent efforts to erase its necessity, Christians ought to rejoice that they have not placed their faith in a faulty religion, gladly share truth with others, and earnestly contend for the purity and preservation of sound doctrine.

                                                                  References

Boyd, Gregory (1992). Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Cairns, Earle (1996). Christianity through the Centuries. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Evans, William (1992). The Great Doctrines of the Bible. Chicago: Moody Publishers.

Geisler, Norman (2011). Systematic Theology. Minneapolis: Bethany House.

Groothius, Douglas (2008). Christian Apologetics. Nottingham, England: Apollos.

Martin, Walter (1977). The Kingdom of the Cults. Minneapolis: Bethany Fellowship.

Pearlman, Myer (2013). Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible. Springfield, MI: Gospel Publishing House.

Sproul, R. C. (2011). What Is the Trinity? Sanford, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing.

Tillich, Paul (1968). A Complete History of Christian Thought. New York City, NY: Harper and Row Publishers