Common, yes. . If you only had an apple core, you wouldnt pack it in your lunch. Basic mathematics tells us that 1x1x1 = 1.. We came up with several practical implications of this doctrine. Each person is fully God (Phil 2; Acts 5:3-4). The concept is literally unthinkable. Analogies for the Trinity exist to explain the unexplainable. The yolk represents Gods Person, His Being, and His Holiness which generates Light that no man can approach (I Timothy 6:16). The Holy Spirit descended upon Him to equip Him for His ministry. Each person is fully the one God, but is also distinct. There are some analogies that come close. The Holy Trinity: Egg Analogy The Holy Trinity is GOD in three divine persons GOD the FATHER GOD the HOLY SPIRIT GOD the SON But together they makeup and are still ONE GOD Like how an egg is made up of three things but is still ONE EGG. Can you think of some Bible verses to back up your explanation? Humans as we are, we cannot fully understand how the three divine Persons, though really distinct from one another, are one and the same God. The Son is not the Father or the Spirit. It leads to the heresy of MODALISM which teaches that God switches to different modes. What is the Trinity? It is the Fathers desire to join His Spirit with all of us as well for He has said They shall be My sons and daughters (II Corinthians 6:18). The Bible teaches three truths: 1 - there is one God. His motto was that "There was a time when the son did not exist". You are an egg! All Scripture is taken from the NIV version unless otherwise specified, Author Ignace Franz, translated by Clarence A. Walworth. When we separate them we can fall into the error of tritheism, which is the worship of three individual deities as one. Notice the distinction between persons and being. The problem with this analogy is that it teaches that God has three components: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The trinity is like water. The past is not the present and the present is not the future, yet all three together is what we call time. [Solved] Erickson discusses "God's Three-in-Oneness." What are the No analogy is perfect, but we want to be careful of using wrong ones that may confuse people. We wont find the word Trinity in the Bible, but the concept is shown in many verses. Perhaps youve heard the analogy that the Trinity is like H2O (the molecular symbol for water). That is a holding pen for final judgment. The Holy Trinity: Egg Analogy by Sharmaine Pagtakhan - Prezi She would explode!" When we use analogies, we need to indicate these things so as to not lead to heresies, A Catholic and Filipino writer interested in theology, philosophy, liturgy, politics, and law. ORDER from Barnes and NobleAmazon.com or wherever fine books are soldISBN-13: 978-1978167643Return to Cafe Logos Homepage | Bite-Sized Bible Bites. We define a person as one having a will and who is distinguishable from another person. He began to play the organ as a chorister in England, before continuing his studies in Qubec and France. In the same way, at one moment God is the Father, but at different times God morphs or transforms into the Son or Holy Spirit. The watermelon has a skin, pulp and seeds; the egg is shell, yolk and egg white. These images fall short, because these components arent enough to be considered a whole on their own. Our limited intellects are unable to comprehend its reality, yet, our Scriptures and scholarly Tradition makes it known to us. I'm always interested in ways to encourage you, so feel free to contact me and let me know what areas interest you! Lord of all, we bow before thee. FOR CENTURIES, the Church had fought against heresies on the Trinity. True, we humans are image bearers but nothing in creation serves as an analogy for the Trinity because the Trinity is a doctrine of special (biblical) revelation not nature or reason. The Father is fully God; Jesus is fully God and the Holy Spirit is fully God. We can admit it is a mystery and accept that our incomplete knowledge cannot fully comprehend it. Memory, Understanding, and Will. Modalism teaches that one God just changes forms or modes over the course of scripture. The problem with this analogy is that an egg yoke is of a very different substance than a shell. H2O can exist as a solid, a liquid and a gas but they are all still H2O. Genisis 1:17, KJV. Church Adornments & Worship: Vestment Emblems - Monastery Icons This analogy actually teaches the heresy of tritheism. Thus the Father is in Jesus " I and My Father are One" (John 10:30), "The Father is in Me" (John 14:10) God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). A certain YouTube page created a famous video titled "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" (which can be found here), in which the historic St. Patrick meets charming villagers who deride him based on the analogies which he uses in the process of explaining the Holy Trinity. I and My Father are One (John 10:30). Not just for explaining it to others, but to bolster our own faith and see how each One works in our lives. Augustine of Hippo/On The Trinity - Wikiversity How so? This little child cannot look at one without experiencing a profound sense of wonderment and awe. The Gospel is theperson, work, and message of Jesus Christ that provides salvation to all repentant believers. Unfortunately, an analogy from the limited realm of creation may not be sufficient in explaining Gods nature. Indeed, how can an infinite God be contained in a finite human womb! Podcast: Common Misconceptions about the Trinity (Fred Sanders) At the Cathedral, we recognize that there are responsibilities that come with . A good example would be an electrical cord. 1:8-12; 1 Pet. While an egg has a yolk, a white and a shell to make up the whole, each part is only ever . In using analogies, we need to acknowledge the demerits and limitations of the said analogy. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)One of my Sunday School students said, "How could Jesus (God) enter Mary's stomach (womb) and be born? This analogy is still not perfect because each of the aspect cannot stand as egg like each of the persons in the trinity can stand as God. Now God can be in you by His Spirit! Lost will be ashes under the feet of the righteous. Water Analogy - God is like water, or H2O, which can exist in 3 forms. And for a mere mortal to have dared invent it and be able t. La da dee dee dum dum (I couldnt remember the in-between parts). There have been many attempts to explain the Trinity the relationship between God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The early church labeled this view "tritheism". So if all of these explanations are heretical, what is a good analogy? You can also catch up with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok Although he is one man who is simultaneously a husband, a father, and a student, he would consider it Modalism to suggest that this is a good Trinitarian analogy. Vestment Emblems. But having lots 6 Bible Study Tools To Help You Dive Deeper. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God. The trinity is like this man. The three parts create a unified whole. They've always led to error and have been rejected by the church. Water has three states: solid, liquid, and gas. 3. The shell, while important, is no longer needed. Jesus isn't a demigod or partially god. Why is it wrong? However, Christians through the ages believe in the Trinity because the truths it represents are taught in the Bible. Unfortunately, there is a problem with this view of the Trinity. The above picture is a famous work of art by Andrei Rubilev, the great medieval Russian painter of Orthodox icons and frescos. Holy Trinity: Some Analogies to Help Us Comprehend We have the creeds for just that reason. Studying the Trinity poses difficulty to us Catholics. Required fields are marked *. Try starting your explanation with a simple definition and then ask for further questions: No one can completely know or understand God. According to the first, just as water takes three forms (liquid, vapor, and ice), so too God takes the form of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The egg white represents Gods Spirit. It is still H20, but just different forms. (It is also why the Jews had an issue with Jesus calling Himself God.). However, keep in mind that the one being. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLfgaUoQCw. show me your glory. This analogy denies the distinction of the God-head. Thus the Father is in Jesus " I and My Father are One" (John 10:30), "The Father is in Me" (John 14:10) God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). Therefore, there is one God, who is eternally present in three persons. How can we ever explain our Most High, exalted, powerful, uncontainable, and most glorious God? We all want to experience the good life. The Trinity is a tri-unity, a unity of Three, - God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. The Son "proceeds" from the Father, and the Holy Spirit "proceeds from the Father and the Son.". John introduces us to the Trinity in John 1:1- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God. Jesus, the Word, was present in Genesis 1. I think the analogy of the Sun works well. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is not His" (Romans 8:9). This is the error of Arianism (not to be confused with Aryanism, which is also bad). The Unseen Father would have been put into Satans prison. Moreover, the yoke and the whites are no longer as they used to be. There was no relational deficiency that prompted God to create us. But if they give us a warped idea of what they are trying to explain, they arent helpful illustrations. So whats one good way to explain what the Trinity is? Its downright hard to understand. My prayer is to infuse God's character into your everyday lives with short ( 4-5") devotions and Bible Studies every Monday morning. Starting with the three biblical affirmations, ask your kids to show you how these examples support or deny what the bible teaches about the Trinity. So God performs 3 different roles/relationships but 1 God. The unity or oneness of God is also found in the Bible. If then the sun were eternal, the day would never end; but now, for such is not really the state of the case, the day begins with the beginning of the sun, and ends with its ending. Bach, and has released two previous CDs, one . The Son was begotten by the Father IN ETERNITY, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Did I leave out any analogies? Instead, each person is co-equal, co-powerful and co-eternal. The white of an egg is the connection between the yolk and the shell. My intention is merely to address some common erroneous analogies, including water. God created us for community, since God is communal and we were created in His image. My interview: https://www.readlotswritelot.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/, More from Catholicism for the Modern World, https://www.readlotswritelot.com/wp/podcast/episode-21-john-k-adams/. Or water can be evaporated and called steam. Water can be ice and steam, yet they are the same element. Similarly, in our aquatic analogy, water can appear in three different modes, depending on the environment, but the three are not co-existing. ORDER from Barnes and NobleAmazon.com or wherever fine books are soldISBN-13: 978-1978167643Return to Cafe Logos Homepage | Bite-Sized Bible Bites, The Egg and i -A Simple Explanation of The Trinity. They are unified in one divine being. , 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you., For further reading on the Trinity, I would recommend James Whites, Lastly, below is a helpful graphical chart explaining the doctrine of the Trinity I found from the Christian blog by Tim Challies. Some who deny the Trinity claim 1+1+1=3, and therefore claim we worship three Gods. But its all the same person, operating in three roles or functions. One is a musical chord with three notes. On a whim, I looked up the lyrics at a later time. Because Gods Person is unapproachable, the Spirit White acts as insulation, for we know that it is through the Holy Spirit that God can communicate, speak through and interact with mankind. Jesus, visually seen, judges all, not the Unseen Father. Is the Trinity like H2O, an egg, or a triangle? - Fervr But understanding the Trinity is important. They say that three separate beings exist, 2. The egg shell is the image of the yolk and the white. In the Scripture we see "the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Col 1:9). St. Augustine's Analogy for Understanding the Trinity There are, however, some that work better than others. The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the primary tenants of the Christian faith. Trinity Analogies that End Up as Heresies - Medium Youre right, theyre all good but not perfect because only God IS perfect. However, many of our faithful, and even priests, attempted to simplify the Mystery of the Trinity and made it easier to understand by using MODELS AND ANALOGIES, giving birth to modern-day heresies/fallacies about the Trinity. He differs from the Father, but was and still is God. Dont become discouraged if you cant answer the question to your liking. What is wrong with what I said? For those, like myself, who are not from a highly-liturgical denomination, it may come as a surprise that June 11 was Trinity Sunday. The trinity is not a contradiction, but a paradox. This is a quick way to describe the doctrine of the Trinity namely, God is 1 being (the, is Gods nature, essence, being) and 3 whos (the, being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). A person distinguishes himself from others by saying me, mine, you, yours, etc. A being is the whole nature or essence of something. Explaining the Trinity | Catholic Answers Yet we do not have three gods but ONE God. Space consists of three things: height, width, and depth. In reality, I change my role depending on who I am interacting with. What is H2O? Dont you know Jesus? Copyright 2023 Christian Today. If youre interested into diving deeper into the topic of the Trinity, here are some valuable resources that could help. Who is God? Water Analogy God is like water, or H2O, which can exist in 3 forms. Each one is fully 100% God. The angel answered (Mary), The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High (referring to the Father, italics mine) will overshadow you. We can touch the cord, but not the power it is insulating. 4 Bad Analogies for the Trinity Justin Deeter But common sense is intuition based on day-to-day experience. The problem with this analogy is that no one molecule of H2O can actually exist as solid, liquid, and gas at the same time. In the same way is God being the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.. Haydn describes himself as a five-point Calvinist, but he recognises that many faithful Christians disagree. And let us once more come to illustrations. We also know that God didnt create humanity out of loneliness or boredom. This means there is a sense in which all 3 persons may act or speak as one. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14). Modernizations of this analogy include that of an apple (with the peel, the flesh, and the core) or an egg (with its shell, yoke, and white). The Spirit white is connected to Jesus Person I will come to you (John 14:18) and the Fathers Person, We will come to him and make our abode with him (John 14:23). The Father hears their intercessory prayers. The sun comprises the sun itself, its light and its heat. Here are eight bible characters that you might not know about, but should. The visual form of God seperated from Jesus on the cross. Many of us would use analogies to explain the Trinity. There are two basic ways that people misunderstand the Trinity: 1. Perhaps we must be content to admit that we cannot fully understand Gods nature in our finitude. Dr. Bruce Ware does an excellent job in his book Big Truths for Young Hearts. Each of the persons is that supreme reality, viz., the divine substance, essence or nature. (Lateran Council IV), 4. I dont believe that God wishes us to be confused about the Three that are so apparent throughout the Old and New Testaments. But its all water. Good and Bad Analogies of the Trinity - Answers . Hi Im not a theologian and I dont disagree with what you say but when you state that we know the persons of the Trinity have perfectly loved for eternity etc how do we know? As a result, this analogy actually teaches modalism. I dont know how our majestic God feels about being compared to watermelons and eggs, but He is also a loving Father, and like any father, I believe God would seek to provide simple explanations so His little children can understand. Here are a few common illustrations: The Egg- One egg has three parts: shell, whites, and yolk. Few if any have every tried to teach the heresy of Tritheism, but it needs to be mentioned anyway. Each Person in the Trinity (or the Godhead) is fully God and fully a Person. God controls that light. If youve been involved in ministries for children or young people, questions about the Trinity have most likely come up. Deuteronomy 6:4- Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. This verse is also the beginning of the Jewish Shema prayer; their confession of faith. God is much bigger and much greater than we can understand, and to be honest, I'm ok with that. And when the time comes when death is allowed to crack your shell in its final hour and your believing soul is released; the Spirit of God that holds you will carry you in His arms to your heavenly home because In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. Unfortunately, no analogy is perfect. This is one of the reasons we say that "God is LOVE". Jesus would have remained in the tomb, or hell, had Jesus sinned. Modalism is a heresy because it denies the distinction of God. The word Trinity comes from the Latin word trinitas which means tri-unity. It is not important merely for the sake of tradition, or because the word itself is taught in the Bible (. Through the brokenness of the Shell, His Son, the Spirit white pours out into our beings through our faith in what was done and believers are joined with the yolk, for it is by One Spirit we have access to God the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,, , Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. But we cannot do that (assuming we can) with God. Explaining the Holy Trinity Using Analogies - Militant Thomist When discussing God, especially in regards to his nature, being and persons, a simple statement to articulate the Trinity is: God is 1, *. Before I even began writing this post, I had an unusual song stuck in my head Holy God, we praise thy name. The Trinity is one of the most foundational doctrines of Christianity. Water can be ice and steam, yet they are the same element. What makes it hard is that all of our analogies and metaphors fall short of capturing what the Trinity actually is. The egg (or apple) fails in that the shell, white, and yolk are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves, just as the skin, flesh, and seeds of the apple are parts of it, not the apple itself. How would you explain the Trinity if someone asked you right now? What is the best analogy of the Holy Trinity? - Quora Have you wondered what is God like? For example, an equilateral triangle (a triangle with three equal sides) has three sides. In humans, our spirits are designed to operate with and be united to the soul which is the person of anyone and so it is with our Egg. Each one is fully 100% God. Although the water changes forms it is still H2O. Why analogies of the Trinity fail Youthworks God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. Surely this is a better understanding of the water analogy! 1. In one of his sermons, he wrestled with the passage in Scripture recounting Jesus' Baptism. Just as water changes forms so too is the trinity. Blessings! He has been a member of the Royal Australian Air Force since 2007, and is now training to be an Air Force Chaplain. Jesus Person is joined to the Father by the Fathers Holy Spirit, because Gods Spirit is also Jesus Spirit - "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. This would make Jesus something less than fully God. This is because the H20 is changing forms in representing each person. One popular and simple illustration of the Trinity is the egg. A, distinguishes himself from others by saying me, mine, you, yours, etc. A. is the whole nature or essence of something. Over the course of church history there have been several heresies that have cropped up that deny one of these three truths. The Egg Analogy - This claims to be a good representation of the Trinity because Eggs have three distinct parts: the shell, the yolk, and the whites. But we cannot do that (assuming we can) with God. In Biblical Trinitarianism we can never have one without the other because they are one Spirit; each is the totality of the other which means we cannot have the Holy Spirit without the Father and the Son, We will come (into the believer through the Holy Spirit, John 14:23), and we cannot have the Son without The Father whose Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20). This analogy actually falls prey to the same error of modalism. Each one is fully 100% God. This was first used by Patrick of Ireland (yes there really was a Patrick of Ireland and he was a great guy), around 400 A.D. 2. God is like an egg in that He is 3-in-1 God the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. Do you know why I keep saying God is like an egg (or H2O) but God is not like an egg (or H2O)? in which all 3 persons may act or speak as one. What does the Bible teach about the Trinity? | GotQuestions.org The Trinity Guarding The Gospel Some people falsely claim the Trinity is a form of . But we can (and should) have a solid foundation to explain this core belief of our faith. HO may act as water, steam, or ice, but it is still HO. Again, this analogy doesnt work because God doesnt morph, change, or become different aspects of Himself. In other words, this view denies Gods oneness. God is kind of like a man who is a father, a son and an uncle God is kind of like a three-leaf clover, or a triangle; one object, but three different, identifiable leaves, or sides* The meme above discourages the use of analogies in explaining the Trinity. Discover the richness of the old yet living 2,000-year-old religion which built the West. According to modalism, God does not actually exist in three persons. Trinity is like a Shamrock (or an Apple or an Egg). The trinity is a like a Three-Leaf Clover. Why All Analogies of the Trinity Fall Short - Joshua's Pen Jesus Person is the image of Gods Person (Hebrews 1:3), and the Invisible Spirit of the Father that is in Him - God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). We find it in all four Gospels. The Trinity is not real in my life because of superior knowledge or insight. The Holy Spirit prays for us. I and My Father are One (John 10:30). The God of the Bible is one God. Shively, This book is now available in a published format for easy sharing and classroom use. The Father Matthew 27:45-46 (usually there is no argument that the Father is not God, since every place Jesus speaks to God, he is addressing the Father. It falls into the heresy of tri-theism. To become the people we were always created to be. The Unseen Father is in Christs mind. At times God is Father, or Son, or Holy Spirit. 2A) Dave is a father of four children: three boys and a . The problem with this analogy is that it denies the distinction of persons in the God-head. Homily for The Solemnity of Holy Trinity In Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). The Unseen Father is in Christs mind. In the same way, water is all the same molecular structure, expressing itself in three different modes. In order to accomplish this union with God and man, He allowed His Shell to be broken with the weight of our sins to cleanse our souls so His holiness can approach, for God cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). Every kid in Sunday school thinks he knows all about God. Now were going to look at how some people often misunderstand the Trinity. Jesus Person is joined to the Father by the Fathers Holy Spirit, because Gods Spirit is also Jesus Spirit - "But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Truly, it is a Mystery. The beautiful depth of Gods eternal Triune nature is a sublime reality which should bring an end to our attempts to cognitively master Him. The analogy explains that in the same way that one shamrock can have three leaves on it, the Trinity has three Persons that constitute one God. The word Trinity comes from the Latin word trinitas which means tri-unity. Thus, the Father Himself is not God, nor is the Son, nor is the Holy Spirit, but combining the three, there is one God. God is one. Relationship Analogy (Husband/Son/Father) God is like a person with different relationships just as a man can be a Dad, but also someones Son, and also someones Husband. We define a person as one having a will and who is distinguishable from another person. Yet God lovingly chose to create and eventually redeem us anyway (both thoroughly Trinitarian acts), at great cost to Himself. Water is water, but exists in three different forms: liquid, frozen, or steam. Jesus Person is the image of Gods Person (Hebrews 1:3), and the Invisible Spirit of the Father that is in Him - God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). Here's a look at six explanations for why so many people truly believe 3 Ways to Experience The Good Life in Jesus. This is why Jesus said, He who has seen Me, has seen the Father (John 14:9). The 3 Most Common "Trinity Analogies" (and their limitations) The three most common go-to analogies for explaining the Trinity are water, an egg, and the sun. It is the Fathers desire to join His Spirit with all of us as well for He has said They shall be My sons and daughters (II Corinthians 6:18). Jesus is the Holy Spirit. As a result the water molecule must change forms. In Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). I did read about the shamrock analogy! The Trinity is established by 3 Biblical truths, . Unfortunately, Arianism is still around and can found within the Jehovah's Witnesses teachings. This error denies something central to God that makes Him God. Some have taken on the task of explaining how Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist as one. The idea of God as three-in-one is indeed a mysterious concept, one that is difficult to understand. show me your glory. The Sun was created on the forth day. St. Augustine, one of the most important Fathers of the Church, wrote a great deal on the doctrine of the Trinity. Thought of Tim Its amazing to think that everything will be so clear when we het to Heaven! God is like H2O in that the Bible may refer to a specific person of the Trinity but that person is still God. As John 1:18 says, Jesus is "the only begotten God, in the bosom of [God] the Father.". In trying to describe what they saw in the pages of the Bible, the early church decided to use the word person to describe the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. RELATED: The Biblical Principle Of Baptism By Fire. He is married to Shamsa Lea, is the father of Amira, and loves boxing and studying Theology. Jesus is fully God. Heat it up, and it turns to vapor. But the Trinity is our belief as Christians that God is one being who exists in three Persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.. Yet, the trinity is mysterious. When it comes to the Trinity, we tend to forget that an analogy is an "aptness of proportion" or a "resemblance of relations," not an identity of relations.