III.

A. A definition of the Trinity

Many think that the doctrine of the Trinity is illogical, that is, that it is self-contradictory and against common sense. Often, people think that Christians are saying, one person, God the Father + one person, God the Son + one person, God the Holy Ghost = one person. That truly is an illogical statement, but it is not what Christians are saying. Christians are not saying 1+1+1=1.

The Trinity was defined in the Athanasian Creed, an early Christian document coming out of serious discussion on the nature of God as revealed in the Bible. Concerning the Trinity, this Creed reads:

"We worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the Persons; nor dividing the Substance."

This simple definition means that God is one essence or nature which exists in three Persons. If Christians were saying God is one Person existing in three Persons, or one essence existing in three essences, then the Trinity would indeed be illogical. But that is not what Christians believe, nor what the Bible presents of God's nature.

"Person" and "Essence" are two different categories of being. "Person" refers to personality; the individual exercise of intellect, feelings and will. "Essence" refers to the nature or substance of God. In human beings personhood and essence are contained in one physical body. One person and one human body are always together, so much so that we use "person" and "human being" interchangeably. But since God is a spiritual being He is not limited to a body as we are. Personhood and essence are not necessarily limited to both being one entity.

A simple way to phrase it is that the essence of God is the "what" of God's existence. The Persons of the Godhead are the "how" of that existence. They are a description of how the one essence of God exists. It is true, though, that we cannot conceive how this all works. This is where the mystery of God's nature enters in. It can be described in a way that doesn't violate reason and is logically consistent, but comprehending how it all works is above human capabilities. It can be described logically, but it cannot be comprehended.

Personally, I think this is the kind of thing we should expect with the infinite God. The complete workings of His nature are a secret and above our finite minds. But God in grace and mercy has revealed something about His nature that we can marvel and stand in awe; that we should be humbled in our human pride that tells us we are the masters of all things. What God has revealed also is logical or consistent with the highest standards of human reason. God is not inconsistent or contradictory. He doesn't violate the standards of consistency and reasonableness which govern these minds of ours that He has created.

Also, realize that this definition is what godly men came to as they received and studied what God had revealed. The Trinity was not invented by Christians. It is an honest, humble attempt to understand what God has revealed about Himself in the Holy Bible.

B. An Illustration of the Trinity

There have been many attempts to illustrate the Trinity from nature or mathematics or with regard to the human psychological makeup. It must be stated that no human illustration is fully adequate, because the Trinity is an attempt to express an unfathomable mystery. There is no perfect illustration that can make the Trinity comprehensible to the human mind. However, an honest attempt can be made to illustrate the facets of the Trinity that are understandable, and show that those parts that are beyond comprehension are not beyond it in a way that is unworthy or unbecoming of God. The following is the best illustration I have come upon: (7)

In nature, as you progress up through the natural world you find that as things increase in the complexity of life, you find a correlating increase in the complexity of their unity.

1. A stone: its unity is very simple. It is one substance with few internal differences. Its chemical makeup is simple. Internally it is not complex and correspondingly its unity is not complex.
    
2. Living things

1. Plants: increase the quality and complexity of the plant and the complexity of its unity increases. In addition to chemicals, plants have living chemical systems. They have life in addition to physical, chemical elements. The more internal differences there are, the more complex the unity becomes. It is still indivisible and unique, that is, it is still "one" plant.
    
2. Animals: again, the more internal differences the more complex the unity. Note with animals that the higher up you go in complexity, the complexity becomes not only physical but also involves consciousness and intelligence. Internal differences are enormously increased and correspondingly so is the complexity of the unity of the organism.
    
3. Mankind: in all the world of nature man is the most complex in his internal differences and the complexity of his unity. Complex physical life, intelligence, consciousness and self-consciousness are all present, yet all work together in a harmonious unity.

C. Conclusions

In the realm of living things, as things increase in internal differences and complexity, so their unity correspondingly increases in complexity.

Then, for the One who is Life Himself, the Author of life, who is absolutely unique and perfect in His unity, who is exalted above His creation, why should we be surprised to find His unity complex in a way that transcends our mortal minds? And this is what the Bible presents, that God, in His own personal being, possesses the highest and richest unity of all.

The Trinity, though hard to comprehend, is not illogical or against reason. It surpasses reason while not contradicting it.