Trinity

The fact that the word ‘Trinity’ doesn’t exist within the contents of the Bible does not provide the basis to disqualify it from being a valid biblical teaching. If the standard to validate a subject were that loose then we would frequently find ourselves in a dilemma. There are many words used by the Body-of-Messiah to describe and proclaim the truth of the Bible that in fact aren’t found in the Bible; a few examples are, omniscience, omnipresence, and of course, the word ‘Bible’. Words simply serve as tools when they are used in the context of revealing the substance of the Bible. They are applied with the intent to convey an idea, concept, vision, purpose or will to another individual concerning the construct of biblical teachings and to proclaim the blessings of the Gospel. Although the absence of the word ‘trinity’ may arouse our curiosity, the determining factor is whether or not the concept is in harmony with the overall theme and message of the Bible. Unless an individual has already been influenced or persuaded by outside sources other than the Bible, it is very difficult to substantiate and even more difficult to construct a comprehensive premise for the trinity doctrine by using the content of the Bible alone. This lack of substance then warrants our inquiry concerning its validity. 

When the substance of the trinity doctrine is questioned, the challenge is sometimes countered by pointing-out its enduring presence in Christian orthodoxy. As Believers we should be more than willing to revere all tradition in respect to the Source of its inspiration. This reverence invokes the substance of the tradition which is what animates each generation to pass the mantle onto the next generation.  By honoring the tradition of the saints we are actually honoring the essence that has been preserved in them by the Holy Spirit. Without this authenticity the quality of a tradition will inevitably diminish to religious ornaments and shallow gestures. Therefore each individual in every generation must experience the tradition of the saints anew for themselves. This is the means by which the Spirit maintains the perpetual flame of Truth while snuffing-out traditions of ill-repute. When this means of check-and-balance is marginalized biblical principles become subject to neglect and abuse. For traditions that gain a foot-hold in just a few generations, it’s not uncommon for bible verses to be manipulated to support the personal sentiment and opinions of the tradition. The fact of whether or not the ‘message’ is actually biblical seems to dissipate as the momentum of the tradition increases under the dutiful watch of its gate-keepers. 

As human-beings, generally speaking, we are confined and subject to the parameter of Time-Space-Matter. On the other hand, YHWH is self-existent and sovereign, entirely unhindered. Through His divine wisdom He has somehow interwoven the physics of the universe with the boundlessness of eternity. The dynamics of these two realms being linked together cannot be properly perceived by our human faculties alone. To even begin to grasp the abstract realm of eternity we must personally experience His presence, that is, receive a heavenly ‘download’ from the Spirit Himself. The Appointed-Time/Occurrence of this experience is determined by the sovereign will of God according to His purpose for humanity, collectively as well as for each individual. In biblical terms this is when a person is born again or born of the Spirit. Even though this union with the Spirit fulfills the will of YHWH, it is still difficult to properly express the eternal existence of YHWH by using human terminology. This human deficiency brings us face-to-face with the description or explanation of the trinity doctrine. Of course there are some profound and true explanations of God used to develop the trinity doctrine, and rightfully so, because of Who they are attempting to describe. Nevertheless, what is the source(s) of origin, where does the concept come from that there are even three (or two or more) distinct entities or persons that make up the whole of God? Is it of a divine origin and can the Bible be properly utilized to back-up this concept? Or, is the source other than the Holy Spirit, over-shadowed by the misuse of Scripture in a diligent, yet non-biblical attempt to back it up? Is there a way to discern the overlap of Truth and mere tradition concerning this tradition?