Deconstructing Doctrine 3: The Trinity

For those encountering my blog for the first time, I would recommend reading the first installments on this series on Deconstructing Salvation Army Doctrines.

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The Trinity

What could be more difficult than trying to explain or figure out the Trinity? That is not one of the easiest things to do. In 1999, I was in Albania during the Yugoslav War, helping with refugee camps with The Salvation Army. One time, I was able to talk with one of our Albanian translators about God. I was trying to find common ground with him in sharing my faith.

Then we talked about the Trinity. That was my first stumbling block.

"You worship three gods. Right? Father, Son, and Mother?"

That was an interesting way to look at it and not surprising for someone who was an outside observer of Christianity.

My inept explanation did little to convince my young friend.

The best explanation ever I have seen of the Trinity is from this hilarious video about two Irishmen talking to Saint Patrick about the Trinity.

So with that in mind, let us venture to read the Third Doctrine of The Salvation Army:

Doctrine Three

We believe that there are Three Persons in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.

What am I to do with this doctrine? I can imagine for most Christians, the idea of a Trinity is something they accept and just move on. Trying to explain the Trinity is another matter.

What is this trinitarian God? If God is undivided in essence, then how could Jesus have died? When Jesus was human, did he separate himself from God? Where is the idea of a Trinity in the Hebrew Scriptures? It's not there at all. In all honesty, there is no statement in the New Testament either that God is a triune being.

The King James (Authorized) Version of the Bible has a corrupted translation and additions in 1 John 5:7,8:  "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one."

But you know what? This is a prime example of some overly zealous scholar adding to Scripture. The actual Scripture passage says only this:  "There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree." (1 John 5:7,8 NRSV)

It is so easy for us to infuse our own preconceived notions into Scripture, making them saying something that it never meant to say at all. Even if we are well intentioned, it is still wrong.

What is going on here?

This is perhaps the easiest thing to explain. Early Christians were trying to figure out something after the fact. Jesus never denied that there was only one God. He told his disciples about the Holy Spirit and he talked about God as a Father (which, in and of itself, was something new).

Who was Jesus, then, in relationship to God? Was he a prophet, or something more? Jesus rarely referred to himself in grandiose terms. Instead, he preferred the simple term of "Son of Man," which basically means "human one." God referred to Ezekiel as the Son of Man, too.

Then there is the Spirit of God, too. The Spirit of God came and went to prophets and kings in the Old Testament. This Spirit seemed to be similar, but also different:  staying, maintaining the Church, teaching, admonishing, bestowing supernatural gifts on people. The Spirit (who is a feminine being in Hebrew), is a relational aspect of God. She moves in us and binds humans together for common purpose.

"It's alright. She moves in mysterious ways." (Saint Bono of U2)

Early Christians didn't want to do away with the idea that there is only one God, but at the same time, they didn't want to say that Jesus was only a mere man. He was something more. Thus, the Trinity was born:  something that is never mentioned in Scripture, but at the same time, describes what Christians believe is the nature of God.

Mystery upon Mystery

Is that it then? Have we summarized God into a neat category? This Trinity? Three persons, but one?

It seems to be a paradox. It fails logic. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

And I'm ok with that. 

Christianity is not some black and white religion. Christianity is a vibrant patchwork tapestry, filled with so many disparate views on God, nature, the universe, humanity, etc. Somehow I believe God is like this, too.

The Trinity begins to describe this nature of God, but it isn't the final description of God. That would be too limiting. If God is more than what I can imagine or describe, then I can find God everywhere.

I find God in Scripture. I find God in nature. I find God in my relationships with other people. I find God in science. I find God in Islam. I find God in Buddhism. I especially find God in agnosticism, where not knowing if God really is there is the beginning of wisdom.

It is sometimes hard for humans to sit with mystery. The Trinity is a type of mystery. It is nothing definite or certain. There is nothing clear about it. It is confusing, mind boggling, and people have so many ideas and concepts of it. The Trinity is both heretical and orthodox at the same time.

That can be frustrating for people who love certainty. These people enjoy singing "Blessed Assurance." They want to know for a fact that when they die they will go to Heaven, that God is there, and that there is meaning to this life.

Certainty tends to wipe out faith.

I don't know any of these things for certain. I don't know what happens when I die for certain. I don't know what will happen with my consciousness. I don't know for certain that there is a Heaven. I don't know for certain that God is there.

I have faith that God is there. I dwell within the mystery of the Trinity. I dwell within the paradox that there is something more to this existence that is measurable or knowable. In a more practical way, I practice this through meditation. Centering prayer is a great way to start, if you are unfamiliar with meditation. 

If I were to rework this doctrine, I would say something like:

I believe that God is a mystery, but one can start with the Trinity.