I’ve been writing this week about the truth of the triune nature of God, so I thought it might be appropriate to list a few reasons why this doctrine (commonly called the Trinity) is so important. It is certainly true that according to the claims of Christianity, salvation actually requires the triune God of the Bible. As believers, our redemption is originated by the Father (see Galatians 4:4), achieved through His Son (see 1 Peter 3:18), and then applied by the Spirit (see Titus 3:5). Every member of the Trinity has a role to play. But there are a few other reasons why the Trinity is important to those of us who call ourselves Christians:
The Trinity Accounts for the Description of Evidence
The Bible describes the existence of one true God, yet also attributes the characteristics of this God to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit individually. The Biblical evidence requires us to seek a solution that acknowledges the singularity of God while respecting the Deity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For this reason, the Trinity is not a creative whim, it is an effective solution.
The Trinity Accounts for the Derivation of Love
God is love (I John 4:8) and He has been love from all eternity. How could this be possible if God could ever exist without someone to love? Did God create humans so He could experience love? Was this the first time that God experienced relational love of this nature? The Triune nature of God explains why love is an innate quality of God; the three eternal Persons of the Godhead are in eternal relationship with one another.
The Trinity Accounts for the Deity of Jesus
This is often over looked, but make no mistake about it: all deviations from historical Trinitarianism have compromised the eternal divine nature of Jesus. It’s that simple. The Early Church Councils corrected the errors of Adoptionism (2nd Century), Docetism (2nd Century), Monarchianism (2nd and 3rd Century), Sabellianism (3rd Century), Arianism (4th Century), and Socinianism (16th and 17th Century). In addition to these historic mischaracterizations of the triune nature of God, there are several current mischaracterizations, including the polytheism of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the denial of the Trinity present in many Unitarian groups, including the Christadelphians. When the Trinity is denied, Jesus is typically demoted from divinity or subjugated as a lessor being.
All worldviews (including theistic worldviews) have distinctive beliefs that characterize and distinguish them from other ways of viewing the world. Christianity is no different. When it comes to the nature of God, Trinitarianism is a Christian distinctive for several very good reasons. When it comes to the nature of God, Trinitarianism is a Christian distinctive for several very good reasons. Share on X
For more information about the reliability of the New Testament gospels and the case for Christianity, please read Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. This book teaches readers ten principles of cold-case investigations and applies these strategies to investigate the claims of the gospel authors. The book is accompanied by an eight-session Cold-Case Christianity DVD Set (and Participant’s Guide) to help individuals or small groups examine the evidence and make the case.
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids.
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James R Martel
December 30, 2020 at 3:58 am
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in TRINITY should not perish, but have everlasting life.
You are an abomination. Anyone who says TRINITY saves is an idiot. So, it doesn’t matter if I believe in Jesus’ virgin birth, his life, miracles, his death by crucifixion, or his resurrection and ascension?
Trinity is why I’m done with Christianity!
I believe Jesus when he said the ‘Father is greater’.
I believe him when he said he doesn’t know the day or hour of his return and only the Father knows. IF Jesus was God, he would know!
I believe him when he says he can do nothing on his own.
I also believe him when he said blasphemy against him will be forgiven but blasphemy against the holy spirit will not. If they were the same person AS TRINITARIANISM TEACHES – blasphemy against one would be blasphemy against the other.
IF the holy spirit is a separate person “why doesn’t the holy spirit have a name, and why isn’t he/it found in or around the Throne of God?”
IF Jesus was God then he’s a fraud and the cross is a hoax. We know that God cannot be tempted, and He cannot sin. IF Jesus was God, that means that Jesus COULD NOT HAVE BEEN TEMPTED TO SIN anyway!…. Making Jesus a fraud, the cross a hoax and to no effect, and Christianity a false religion!
OH I know Jesus has two natures! BULLSHIT! So what happened? Did his divine nature shut down when he said the Father is greater?