Trinity Concept: How Human Language Complicates The Singularity
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| Our bodies contain water, as the believer's temple hosts the Holy Spirit. |
Simplifying (or complicating) the mention of 'three' when referring to 'characteristics' of God at this post about the Son.
Characteristic:
- typical of a particular person, place, or thing
- a feature or quality belonging typically to a person, place, or thing and serving to identify them
- (mathematics) the whole number or integral [integer] part of a logarithm [logos, reason], which gives the order of magnitude of the original number
I propose the use of the term characteristic in describing God and His Reality (as described through the Name of the Father - of the Son - of the Holy Spirit) in place of previous terms like person and substance and essence.
The term trinity is used to explain what is found in Scripture.
Many attributes abound regarding God.
Three basic characteristics are attributed to God besides the infinite characteristics and attributes known and unknown to mankind.
The first place these characteristics are found is the very beginning of God's testimony:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
- Genesis 1: 1-3- In the beginning God created (God exists before time, God had created)
- the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Spirit of God active, spatially present)
- God said (God creates by speaking)
In many other places is read God expressed in this unique way, His characteristics and attributes in activity, or declaration, throughout the Scriptures of the Old Testament.
Reading closely one can begin to understand 'how' God is, and also 'what' God is.
The Apostle John mirrors the Genesis account when describing Yeshua and goes into great detail describing Yeshua's characteristic attributes:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind...
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...
Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Yeshua Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known...
Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him. And I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
- John 1: 1-4, 14, 16-18, 32-34The descriptions are quite explicit.
We learn that God speaks things into existence through His Word; the Word of God.
The Word of God is identified as Yeshua having become flesh.
Yeshua / the Word of God is described as God Himself, and this is the definition given to the phrase 'Son of God'.
This is also the definition of Messiah according to the Old Testament descriptions and the backdrop of the New Testament's understanding.
Messiah makes specific mention of the God characteristic this way:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
- Matthew 28: 19Here we read in Messiah's command the mention of the Name (singular) of God's characteristic.
Reflecting on the Genesis account while considering the Matthew account, reason concludes how the concept of trinity is literally and explicitly expressed in Scripture.
Controversy is a constant regarding the things of God.
When revelation is from Above and some people's hearts are revealed to be from below, it is no surprise why struggle is a constant in this world.
Considering the Genesis and Matthew account, an objection could be found in the Shema... but that message needs to be understood, as with all messages from Scripture, according to Scripture.
Here the Shema is recalled / quoted by Messiah:
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Yeshua had given them a good answer, he asked Him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Yeshua, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
- Mark 12: 28-31The Lord our God, the Lord is One.
The Lord is One.
1 = One.
This verse is argued most times to contest what the rest of God's testimony speaks.
But there is a question whose answer clarifies all things.
Who, then, is the Lord?
Has trinity been the best word to summarize this concept or expressing in Scripture?
That is for you to decide... and I think the argument is largely without merit, since it argues over words while largely ignoring the Scriptures and their succinct description of God.
I personally do not have issue with it since it aims to describe what is found in Scripture.
I recognize the exhaustive effort through the use of man's words to further describe God's characteristic, and I also understand many explanations are human efforts regarding words from Above.
Many are valid, not all are agreeable, while no one can describe it perfectly.
For me personally, there is a myriad of ways to express this fundamental message of Scripture.
The best way is to simply quote Scripture (your part) and let the Spirit do His part.
Our part also includes following those two commandments mentioned: love.
When men began attempting to explain how God was found in Messiah, misunderstanding from the choice of words beyond Scripture caused physical division in the ancient Church.
Some words didn't translate well or clearly enough in other languages to satisfy suspicious minds.
Religious people can become very suspicious of words, ideas, and other religious people when love is allowed to slip behind ideologies and arguing over words.
In the ancient Church, physical and perceived division already existed as ethnic, language, and political lines despite men having been brought together as one family under God; Jews and Gentiles, masters and slaves, rich and poor, wise and unlearned, men and women, old and young.
These lines, perceived through the concepts of this world, have always been external.
Thus the reasons to become divided were also external regarding the attempt to explain something internal, eternal, singular, based on love and peace.
I dare say the Church, being one body, continued united (according to the Spirit) despite men becoming disunited and divided in their minds (according to their flesh).
The Spirit continued (and continues) living among a variety of groups despite men being confused in mind and at odds with their brothers in other groups in their hearts.
I dare also add that the believers are not only found in groups labeled as one different from another, for God's kingdom and its citizenship is, as with all things of the Spirit, beyond man's full comprehension and purview.
Since the Spirit of God is One and lives in the individual, only the flesh / vessel is perceived as disunited according to external perceptions (manners, language, ethnicity, clothes, culture, etc.).
The etymology from the term 'characteristic' is: to designate by a characteristic mark
Some synonyms of 'characteristic' are; attribute, idiosyncrasy, mannerism, quality, tendency, trademark, trait, distinctive, exclusive, indicative, signature, specific, typical.
To understand further, let us read at least three synonyms in the etymology:
- to designate by an exclusive mark
- to designate by a signature mark
- to designate by a typical mark
God's characteristic mark is exclusive, leaves a signature, and is typical only of God.
If God, and all attributes in, of, through, from, because of, Him, can be described as a particular number... what number would that be?
He would be (and has always been) described as the integral [integer] number 1.
The word integer is from Latin meaning untouched, unhurt, unchanged, sound, fresh, whole, entire, pure, honest.
An integer is a whole number, not a fraction of a number.
How has God 'designated by a characteristic mark' His Presence before man?
Many ways.
The signature in all of the ways being miraculous (beyond human rationale and logic).
He walked in the Garden with Adam and Eve.
He spoke from a burning bush (that did not burn).
He showed Himself to the elders of Israel atop a mountain.
He showed His back to Moses after shielding Moses with His hand.
He allowed Ezekiel to see His glory while Ezekiel's companions saw nothing.
He visaged Himself in / through Messiah to personalize Himself onto mankind's heart.
Visage - the manifestation, image, or aspect of something
From these few examples, and the many others described in the Bible, the believer understands that God can do as He pleases.
Nothing is impossible for God.
God is not bound by the 'laws of nature' (so-called laws described and authored from languages of men).
If this is acceptable, why is it unacceptable for some people to believe that God planned to walk the earth Himself alongside His creation as He did long ago with Adam and Eve?
Why is it so difficult to believe He did so while not vacating heaven nor His throne.
The answer exists... but let us speak Spirit to those destined to hear and believe the Word of the Lord.
Again, who is the Lord?
The Messiah taught 'what' God is:
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in Truth.
- John 4: 24Has any language of men been able to perfectly describe what spirit is?
How about describe the Spirit of God (God is Spirit)?
In Scripture, man realizes a distinct language that speaks to the heart of man regardless the specific human language it is translated in.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put My law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be My people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know Me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
- Jeremiah 31: 33-34God's language is according to His Spirit.
God's language is Spirit.
This is the issue we find with all the languages of mankind, including the languages of science, math, religion, etc., and God's language.
Man's languages are according to the flesh, carnal in expression and concept.
Yet it is by the definition of human words that humanity's language may speak the things from Above: Spirit.
Not every expert mathematician agrees with another mathematician although they both speak their specific language adequately and follow their language's rules precisely.
Math is not an interpretive language, but a language based on conclusions (answers) that follow strict and universal rules (problem solving).
However, with the things of the Spirit, some men are able to learn from others when love and peace is exercised despite confusion with concepts and language.
To use a human concept and the language of math, God's Spirit multiplies and magnifies in and among those with whom the Spirit resides.
Likewise, the Spirit divides these from those who are without... yet all live together and amongst one another.
According to the flesh men do try and judge who is who, but internal mystery is hardly noticeable.
The Spirit is not like the flesh, and since spirit is not observable, measurable, and cannot be scientifically calculated or verified to exist, those who live by sight do not see.
Using the finite to explain the infinite fails to produce a full understanding, but men try.
Using the material to explain the immaterial is a shortcoming, while some ideas may come close.
Speaking of earthly things in trying to understand heavenly things... can be a futility for those who know not how to speak God's language of love and peace.
The human explanation and effort is only an attempted concession for those hostile to things not answered in their hearts.
Thus one is almost always preaching to the choir.
Whether there are future choir members hearing is a matter for the Spirit to decide, not men.
A shadow can sometimes be identified as such when what causes the shadow is understood.
Sometimes only other factors are understood but never the shadow nor what casts the shadow.
Shadows have to do with light, darkness, the seen and unseen between the light and dark.
Interestingly, some concepts based on physical observations have revealed certain invisible realities.
The use of human language can either clarify or complicate concepts, bring unity or cause division.
A child's inability to properly explain something does not negate that something from existing.
Mankind is a child no matter their collective / individual age, level of sophistication, or boasting of things learned or thought of.
The man-made language of math first measured things visible (constructing buildings, for example) and later was capable of measuring invisible things (trajectory of spacecraft, for example).
Yet consider how ideas sprout first in mind and later in life.
Math has furthered man's understanding of the unseen and the previously unmeasurable.
But will math ever describe, measure, identify or find Spirit?
Considering the number 1 and its integral property, let us look for the math found in the Gospel.
Some people, using human logic and other human languages, argue that Yeshua is separate or different or apart from God.
But what does the language / message of the Word of God declare?
What did Yeshua have to say about that?
“I and the Father are One.”
- John 10: 31To use the math, Yeshua is claiming to be whole, united, complete with the Father.
1 x 1 = One.
When some argue carnal understandings and arguments, a Spirit-definition is understood to be conveyed.
Looking further, let us read the response to Yeshua's claim:
“I and the Father are One.”
Again His Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone Him, but Yeshua said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
- John 10: 30-33It was very clear what Yeshua was messaging, His language not being confused.
Yeshua did not correct their understanding, but affirmed it by teaching them further:
Yeshua answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? If He called them ‘gods,’ to whom the Word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the One whom the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse Me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I Am God’s Son’? Do not believe Me unless I do the works of My Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” Again they tried to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.
- John 10: 34-39We read the Father is in the Son is in the Father = One.
But who is the Lord?
Looking again at Matthew 28, we read an insight from the context the Name of the Father - Son - Holy Spirit is found:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Yeshua had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Yeshua came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I Am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28: 16-20Notice Yeshua was worshipped but some doubted.
Notice who holds all authority and where and consider why.
Notice also the Name (singular, not plural).
Consider how Yeshua also made no effort to dissuade, deny, nor denounce being worshipped.
In the language of math, a rudimentary 'indicative' describing how 'in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit' can be expressed... is:
1 x 1 x 1 = One.
Written another way: the Father x the Son x the Holy Spirit = the Name.
Using the language of the Bible: the Father is in the Son is in the Holy Spirit is One.
Looking for the Lord, the designation the Lord was used in place of the response God gave to Moses when Moses asked God for His Name.
'Hashem' means 'the Name' in Hebrew.
Thus, Hashem is synonymous with 'the Name' and 'the Name' refers to the Lord.
And what is the Name the believing disciple is to be baptized into?
Who is the Lord?
On hearing this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Yeshua.
- Acts 19: 5The Gospel's message speaks the Name of God is the Lord Yeshua... or Yeshua, which means 'the Lord saves', and other synonymous meanings, in Hebrew.
Regarding salvation brought to mankind, let us include this verse into the equation:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I Am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are One—I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.
- John 17: 20-23The spiritual unity that believers have with God through the Messiah is, again, not a physical depiction, but something spiritual and of the Spirit.
Reading the language (message) of Scripture, we could write the language of math as:
The Father in the Son in the Holy Spirit in the Church is One.
How does God live in the Church?
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s Temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s Temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s Temple is sacred, and you together are that Temple.
- 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17This should be a warning for those who have killed the believers in the Name of Yeshua, and what comes of these murderers.
This should also clarify how God planned to reside on earth after the Temple of the Messiah was risen from death.
The Jews then responded to Him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
Yeshua answered them, “Destroy this Temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the Temple He had spoken of was His body. After He was raised from the dead, His disciples recalled what He had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Yeshua had spoken.
- John 2: 18-22This passage mentions how when one thing is expressed another thing is understood.
The language / message of the Word of God is not always what people guess it to be.
The ancient Church was given a new language to speak to one another with, regardless of their unique and different human languages (Aramaic, Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, Latin, Syriac, Persian, etc.).
How did God plan His return after the mission of the Messiah was completed?
Why does Genesis mention God, Spirit of God, God speaking (Word of God)?
If you love Me, keep My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I Am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I Am in you.
- John 14: 15-20Again, Spirit-definition expresses God living in the believer, and although the world will not see God, the believers will continue to see God.
Notice it expresses 'another Advocate'.
Who is the first / previous / current Advocate when this passage was mentioned?
Who was currently living with the disciples?
The Father in the Son in the Holy Spirit.
The baptism in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit speaks to the Reality that would continue to live in and among the believers after the Temple in which the Reality resides goes away.
Spirit is eternal, while the things of this world (even our flesh that consists of dust) are finite.
Thus the Temple in which the Spirit of God occupied as Messiah also reflected our fleshly Temples.
What was proven?
Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I Am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I Am in you.
The unity and eternity of God in mankind.
Since the Temple of Yeshua's body was torn down, the invisible Spirit of God continued to fulfill God's intended plan after occupying the temporary earthly abode.
Although that Temple 'died' (according to the flesh), to show what is eternal and from Whom eternal life is sourced, when the Temple body of Yeshua rose to life the hope that mankind has always desired was realized:
Life after death.
Life through death.
Life in spite of death.
Life according to the Spirit continues despite the material world going away.
This is the hope that comes by way of the gift of faith.
This is God's precious gift, and the believer praises His Holy Name: Yeshua!
This Reality is God's Spirit / the Spirit of God / the Holy Spirit / the Spirit of Truth / the Advocate who speaks on behalf of the believer during times of trouble and times of joy.
It is this same Holy Spirit of God that has always spoken through the prophets and the people of God in times past.
The believers were not orphaned after Messiah walked the earth and His Spirit returned to the throne of God in heaven.
The archetype of Messiah continues to walk the earth in the collective Temple of God: the Church.
Mankind has since received the Lord's salvation.
They have received their Comforter.
They have 'seen' Yeshua again and again although the world has not seen Yeshua ever again... but all eyes shall see at the end of their days.
So, are there 'three' persons having a personality conflict?
He is rather One Reality that fulfilled His many promises via several characteristics unique and wholesome to Himself
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that walked with Adam and Even in the Garden?
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that spoke from the burning bush that was not burning?
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that showed Himself to the elders of Israel on top of a mountain?
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that showed His back to Moses after shielding Moses with His hand?
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that allowed Ezekiel to see His glory while others saw nothing?
Was it the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit that was the prophecy of Immanuel (God with us) fulfilled; Messiah resurrected; Lord thy God revealed; forever praised His Holy Name Yeshua?
The answer to these seemingly preposterous questions is this:
The child learns first a single word before all other words, as Adam learned a single 'do not'.
The child learns the letters of words before writing or reading written words, as Adam learned the difference between obedience and life in the Garden, and the consequences of disobedience outside the Garden.
As a child is taught and learns, so has mankind been taught and learned who is the Lord thy God.
In the Garden of Eden, there was no question in Adam's or Eve's mind who God was besides the animals, the trees, the rest of creation.
Their learning of certain things, like nakedness and fear and disobedience, caused trouble and confusion for themselves... as the individual today can relate to struggle and temptation.
It has been a process ever since the Garden for the sons of Adam.
Regarding how God is described and understood beyond the arguments of men: He has always been God according to a countless variety of the characteristics He is.
Part of man's process since the Garden is God speaking and revealing certain aspects of Himself for specific reasons at certain times, like teaching a child a single letter of the alphabet over a period of time.
Have you noticed how God has always approached mankind according to mankind's place and man's understanding?
God has always been loving, helping, providing, waiting, defending, teaching, giving and taking.
God's relationship with His creation has grown and matured, as mankind has grown and matured.
God is so patient.
To reveal who and how the Holy God of all is, He chose to reveal Himself according to our understanding... and man, again, being like a child... have become children having understood and seen Him:
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the Name He has inherited is superior to theirs.
- Hebrews 1: 1-4
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