The Doctrine of the Trinity
Does the Bible evidence support for the
doctrine of the Trinity and the criticisms thereof?
This issue is difficult, at first glance, to
grasp, but nonetheless, the Trinitarian nature of God is crucial to the
doctrine of God. Perhaps the first
criticism of this doctrine is that the word “trinity,” or a derivation thereof,
is not found in the Bible. This
criticism is, of course, true, but the premise is false. By saying that the word “trinity” is not in
the Bible, one apparently intends the conclusion that the doctrine is therefore
false. The more appropriate conclusion
is whether the doctrine can
be true, even though the word “trinity” is not in the Bible. The answer to that question is unequivocally,
“yes!”
Sometimes it is good form to answer a
question with a question. If the
doctrine is apparent in Scripture,
is that doctrine valid notwithstanding the fact that the word that is
used to describe it is not in the Bible?
For example, an evangelical Christian would believe in omnipresence
(always present, everywhere within time and space at the same point in time and
space – God’s presence is not limited by time and space), omnipotence
(all-powerful – God’s power is not limited by time and space), inerrancy of
Scripture (the Bible is without error in all it affirms), inspiration of
Scripture (the unique working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the human
authors of the Biblical canon is the exact message God desired to be written,
without dictation), etc., even though these and a host of other perfectly valid
doctrines or truths are not specifically named.
Even one who does not accept the inerrancy,
inspiration and infallibility of the Scripture, would believe other concepts,
not because the concept is concrete, but because it is apparent in life and the world around us.
There is an old trial attorney story to
illustrate the importance of not hanging one’s hat on certain concrete
principles. The phrase “beyond a
reasonable doubt” sets forth the standard of proof in a criminal trial. One can only be guilty if the jury believes
that the prosecution has presented its case in such a manner that guilt is
apparent “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Not a “shadow of a doubt” or “just a little doubt,” but beyond a
reasonable doubt.
A defense attorney will begin early on in a
criminal trial, educating the jury regarding this principle, intending that in
deliberation, jurors might think that the defendant could have committed the
particular crime, but there is still a reasonable doubt, therefore the
defendant is not guilty.
There was a particular murder case that was especially
difficult because the body of the alleged victim had never been found. In his summation to the jury, the defendant’s
counsel reminded the jury of this burden of proof. Then this attorney said, in a bold and brash
manner, “I will now prove to you that you have reasonable doubt and you cannot
convict my client. In ten seconds, the alleged
victim of this supposed murder will walk through those doors into this courtroom!” A hush came over the room as the attorney
slowly counted down. Ten, nine, eight, .
. . three, two, one. All of the jurors
stared intently at the doors to the court room, but no one entered.
The attorney then stated, “If you looked at
that door, you had reasonable doubt.
And, if you have reasonable doubt, you cannot convict!” Believing that he had won the day, he sat
down.
To this attorney’s surprise, his client was
convicted. Later, he talked with the
jurors and asked how they could find his client guilty. One juror responded, “It is true that we all
looked at the doors. In fact, everyone
in the courtroom looked at the doors – with one exception – your client! We concluded that the defendant did not look
at the doors because he KNEW the victim would not come in!”
There was no body and they all looked at the
door, but it was the surrounding circumstances that led this jury to conclude
that a murder by this defendant had, in fact, taken place.
So it is here. The word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible,
but it is found from the surrounding circumstances – within the clear
understanding of what the Bible says!
More on this tomorrow.
Doug
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