I am beginning a new series. My inspiration for the title comes from the book, The Forgotten Trinity by Dr. James White. The first four words of his opening chapter were, “I love the Trinity.” As I read those words I realized I had the same love for the Triune God of Christianity. If it sounds strange to you it is because you are so used to saying, “I love God” or “I love Jesus” but never “I love the Trinity.” A possible reason many people avoid saying this is because they have trouble explaining the Trinity to someone else. They have a vague idea about what it is but they struggle loving a fuzzy doctrine. My hope in this series is through my writings I will clear away the mind fog and give you a new appreciation for the doctrine of the Trinity. And if I do my job well you might even admit you love the Trinity.
In Christianity the Trinity represents who God is; one God subsisting in three persons the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This belief in the Triune God separates us from all other religions in the world. Islam, Judaism, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormonism, Oneness Pentecostals, and other belief systems reject the historic doctrine of the Trinity.
Is the Trinity Biblical?
Many years ago my son Jeff was in a 7th grade History GATE (Gifted & talented) class at Grant Middle School in Escondido, CA where I taught physical education. They were studying World History and had reached the chapter on Christianity. I read what the history book said about Christianity and it wasn’t bad. I also read some of the handouts they had received on Buddhism, Hinduism, and other major religions. I made a decision to ask to be a guest lecturer in the class on the topic of Christianity. With the permission of the teacher and the principal I taught about the Bible and that Jesus was fully God and fully man. I also gave a clear message of what Jesus did on the cross. As the class ended I asked for questions. Some of the questions helped me clarify the exactly what was accomplished by Jesus dying on the cross; but one question gave me trouble. It was delivered by a Jehovah Witness student. He asked, “If Jesus was God, then why did he pray to God in heaven? Was he praying to himself?” I still remember the sweat forming on my forehead as I stumbled for an answer. I really didn’t do an adequate job and felt this was a question that needed further study. The next day this student, who was in my PE class, handed me a booklet, “Should you Believe in the Trinity,” written by the Watchtower Organization. I was embarrassed and knew I had to do something; so I flunked the student [just kidding]. I set out from that day forward this would never happen to me again.
It is the doctrine of the Trinity where we find out who Jesus really is; fully God and fully man. Jesus said in John 8:24“Therefore I said to you [speaking the Jewish religious leaders] that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” If you have a false view about Jesus, the Bible says you will be separated from God for all eternity. It is my desire to convince anyone not to follow a false Jesus.
I believe the Trinity is the most important doctrine in all of Christianity. And yet, it is difficult to find Christian churches that teach this doctrine. Many feel it is too difficult to teach to their people. As a result it is misrepresented both inside the church and by organizations outside the church. Groups like the Jehovah Witnesses can fool unsuspecting individuals because they don’t understand the truth of the Trinity and cannot refute the lies. Their booklet, “Should You Believe in the Trinity,” attempts to show why the Trinity was invented by a corrupted church and isn’t Biblical. I am going to challenge that belief.
Historic Christianity believes that God has revealed Himself as one God and three persons through the written words of the Bible. My first task will be to provide the historical background for the Trinity and then show why I believe this doctrine is Biblical.
