Dr. Hunt wrote, “I am convinced that more people know doctrinal truth than live doctrinal truth. We have an intellectual grasp of the doctrines of Scripture but know nothing of the practice of Scriptural doctrine.”
Speaking of doctrine, I have a question for you brothers. This weekend I have been pondering the doctrine of the trinity (not that I just sit around pondering, but I listened to a sermon and it got me thinking). I have been taught since a child the “three-in-one-concept” of the trinity. Basically, I have been taught that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all different yet the same. I have been taught that they are all God. I have heard the explanation that relates the Trinity to the egg. The egg consists of the white, the yolk, and the shell, yet it is all the egg. When the doctrine is questioned I have heard it explained away by “His ways are higher than our ways.”
My question, and it may well be considered blasphemy by those of the Baptist faith, is, “Where does Scripture support the doctrine of the Trinity that they are all the same but different?”
Now, I know immediately that some will say Jesus said throughout His teacher that “I and the Father are one.” I understand that but I don’t believe that to be a strong enough support. If you will pardon the weak analogy, that is like congress, the President, or the Supreme Court saying they are one in reference to the government.
It seems to me that throughout the Bible there appears to be a separation of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. To me, that is awesome. I think there exists a hierarchy with God being the head. I think God felt genuine pain when He sent His son. I think the work of the Spirit is necessary, perhaps even a work that because of God’s holiness, He is “unable” to do.
Alright men, give it to me. Sharpen my iron on this doctrinal issue!
I too struggle with this. Phillip you have always made my one brain cell spinn out of control......
God is one. Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Isreal The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Also Paul tell us the same thing 1 Corinthians 8:6 "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." God is one and Jesus is one.
Jesus said in John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
The spirit is one.
Jesus also said in Matt. 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I think they all are the same as "One"
The Holy Spirit is called the spirit of God (Gen. 1:2 and Matthew 3:16) and, The Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) As ONE
This may not help you at all. But, it might be a step in the race that is run by us all.
I have heard this statement, "Try to explain it, and you'll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you'll lose your soul."
I will keep digging into the Word my friend maybe someone educated in Theology will help you better. There is one God, yet the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are all referred to as God.
My wife actually helped my with this one (it is nice being married to a minister!)
The Bible gives several examples of the Trinity without ever actually using the name “Trinity”. A couple of examples of them working together….
Genesis: “Let US create man in OUR image.” Genesis: “Let US go down and confuse their language.” Isaiah: “Whom shall I send and who will go for US?”
These are a few that show the Trinity working as a singular entity. However, there are also examples of their individuality.
Mathew: “Therefore let us go and make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Why would Mathew name them all if they did not all play a role and function? Corinthians: “Make the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.” Interesting that Paul gives unique roles that each plays when mentioning them together.
Finally, in John 1 5:7:, There is again evidence that there are three separate, but all one. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The Word, the Holy Ghost: and all these three are one.” One person bearing record is important, but three separate and equal records are undeniable. Three records that act as one?
I wish I could take credit for these examples of scripture, but I actually got them out of a paper my wife wrote years ago. My two brain cells fight each other when I try to think about this! One thing I would like to point out though…. There are several heresies that are still present in today’s church about the nature of the Trinity and its function. Just since Mr. J brought up this post, I have heard one of them. Being brought up in the church I have heard people try to describe the Trinity in a million different ways, and some of them are not so doctrinally sound.
I guess this is what you had in mind by the phrase “sharpening one another!”
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to (A)present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (B)the word of truth.”
I am convicted that we as the 21st century church have become lazy in what we know and believe. We call getting up to attend one convenient service one time per week “sacrifice.” We don’t read the Word, pray, and dig deep into the waters of His word. No wonder we have to plan an event called revival rather than experience the reviving grace of Christ in our lives more often. I know the Trinity is a difficult topic. I don’t think it is a topic that should be debated/discussed with young Christians or even non-Christians. However, here in the portals of the Faith Race, I believe it is our responsibility and joy to work one with another so that to the best of our ability we accurately handle the Word.
In chapter 12 the writer of Hebrews issues Christians a challenge to run the race of faith. In order to do so we must lay aside every encumbrance and sin that so easily entangles us. We have to learn to run with endurance and keep our eyes fixed on our example, Jesus Christ. How do we accomplish this in our society? We lock arms with other men of faith and run the race.
This blog is dedicated to a “technical” approach to locking arms. This blog is dedicated to online book studies for men. We will read certain chapters from chosen books. Then we will post comments to encourage, inspire, and in some cases stir up other men. So, you are invited to join our online discussion. More importantly, will you accept the challenge to run the race of faith?
4 comments:
Dr. Hunt wrote, “I am convinced that more people know doctrinal truth than live doctrinal truth. We have an intellectual grasp of the doctrines of Scripture but know nothing of the practice of Scriptural doctrine.”
Speaking of doctrine, I have a question for you brothers. This weekend I have been pondering the doctrine of the trinity (not that I just sit around pondering, but I listened to a sermon and it got me thinking). I have been taught since a child the “three-in-one-concept” of the trinity. Basically, I have been taught that the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all different yet the same. I have been taught that they are all God. I have heard the explanation that relates the Trinity to the egg. The egg consists of the white, the yolk, and the shell, yet it is all the egg. When the doctrine is questioned I have heard it explained away by “His ways are higher than our ways.”
My question, and it may well be considered blasphemy by those of the Baptist faith, is, “Where does Scripture support the doctrine of the Trinity that they are all the same but different?”
Now, I know immediately that some will say Jesus said throughout His teacher that “I and the Father are one.” I understand that but I don’t believe that to be a strong enough support. If you will pardon the weak analogy, that is like congress, the President, or the Supreme Court saying they are one in reference to the government.
It seems to me that throughout the Bible there appears to be a separation of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. To me, that is awesome. I think there exists a hierarchy with God being the head. I think God felt genuine pain when He sent His son. I think the work of the Spirit is necessary, perhaps even a work that because of God’s holiness, He is “unable” to do.
Alright men, give it to me. Sharpen my iron on this doctrinal issue!
I too struggle with this. Phillip you have always made my one brain cell spinn out of control......
God is one.
Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Isreal The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Also Paul tell us the same thing
1 Corinthians 8:6 "yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." God is one and Jesus is one.
Jesus said in John 14:26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
The spirit is one.
Jesus also said in Matt. 28:19 to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I think they all are the same as "One"
The Holy Spirit is called the spirit of God (Gen. 1:2 and Matthew 3:16) and,
The Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9)
As ONE
This may not help you at all. But, it might be a step in the race that is run by us all.
I have heard this statement,
"Try to explain it, and you'll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you'll lose your soul."
I will keep digging into the Word my friend maybe someone educated in Theology will help you better.
There is one God, yet the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are all referred to as God.
I need help also.
My wife actually helped my with this one (it is nice being married to a minister!)
The Bible gives several examples of the Trinity without ever actually using the name “Trinity”. A couple of examples of them working together….
Genesis: “Let US create man in OUR image.”
Genesis: “Let US go down and confuse their language.”
Isaiah: “Whom shall I send and who will go for US?”
These are a few that show the Trinity working as a singular entity. However, there are also examples of their individuality.
Mathew: “Therefore let us go and make disciples of all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Why would Mathew name them all if they did not all play a role and function?
Corinthians: “Make the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.” Interesting that Paul gives unique roles that each plays when mentioning them together.
Finally, in John 1 5:7:, There is again evidence that there are three separate, but all one. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, The Word, the Holy Ghost: and all these three are one.” One person bearing record is important, but three separate and equal records are undeniable. Three records that act as one?
I wish I could take credit for these examples of scripture, but I actually got them out of a paper my wife wrote years ago. My two brain cells fight each other when I try to think about this! One thing I would like to point out though…. There are several heresies that are still present in today’s church about the nature of the Trinity and its function. Just since Mr. J brought up this post, I have heard one of them. Being brought up in the church I have heard people try to describe the Trinity in a million different ways, and some of them are not so doctrinally sound.
I guess this is what you had in mind by the phrase “sharpening one another!”
2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to (A)present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling (B)the word of truth.”
I am convicted that we as the 21st century church have become lazy in what we know and believe. We call getting up to attend one convenient service one time per week “sacrifice.” We don’t read the Word, pray, and dig deep into the waters of His word. No wonder we have to plan an event called revival rather than experience the reviving grace of Christ in our lives more often. I know the Trinity is a difficult topic. I don’t think it is a topic that should be debated/discussed with young Christians or even non-Christians. However, here in the portals of the Faith Race, I believe it is our responsibility and joy to work one with another so that to the best of our ability we accurately handle the Word.
Let’s keep running this race!
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