Yesterday was Trinity Sunday. Our church used the Athanasian Creed as part of the observance. This is one of the three ecumenical creeds of the church -together with the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed. It is long. It is confusing. I almost look upon reciting this creed with dread. The Athanasian Creed is mental calisthenics. Here is a link if you are interested.
The complexity of this Creed points to the complexity of our God. He is not a God that is fully understandable or comprehendible. He is simply more than us. He is a God that challenges us. When we approach him, it should make us a bit uncomfortable, because he is fully beyond us in so many ways.
We use big words to try to describe God. Words like omniscient and omnipresent. But we need to use big words because he is a big God. And even the biggest words we have are not big enough. The more I study and come to understand God, the more questions I have. The more I realize I am further from comprehending him than I ever imagined.
The whole concept of the Trinity is evidence for the existence of God. Who would ever conceive of something like this. If I was to invent a religion, the Trinity is not something I would use as the foundation of that religion. This had to come from somewhere and someone else.
In the end, we need a God that is more than us. If God is someone that we can grasp, he would not be a powerful God. A God that is in our grasp is not a God who can change us or transform us. We need a God that will challenge our assumptions and comfort zones to take us beyond where we are now.
Reflection
- How are you challenged by the theology of the Trinity?
- How are you comforted by the fact that you cannot fully comprehend God?
Prayer
You are Lord Almighty. There is none like you. You are God beyond our understanding and comprehension. You created the universe and put everything into existence. Who are we that you would care for us? Who are we that you would love us? But as enormous as you are, you still love me and are intimately aware of every detail in my life. Thank you for your love and grace. Amen.
Betty says
How is the Trinity a challenge to my theology? I know that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One and yet they are unique and individual. That being said, it’s hard to feel as though I give each His own unique glory and honor due. I separate and this isn’t right. “Come Holy Spirit”, and yet I’m asking all three to come. “Jesus, heal”, and yet healing comes through then all. “Abba, hold me”, and yet it is the arms of the Shepherd, the comfort of the Spirit, the Presence of the Father I seek. I often feel as though I don’t give them each a fair shake.
Phil Ressler says
Thanks for you comments Betty. Remember that when we praise one, we are praising all. Each person of the Trinity defers to the other. The Father glorifies the Son and the Son glorifies the Father. When we glorify Jesus, the Father is glorified.