(this is the next installment in the “Know God” series. To read the previous posts on this topic…click here.)
An apple. Water. Toothpaste.
(photo credit…here, here, here)
(anyone guess where this post is going?)
The above objects are weak attempts to communicate a mystery our human language simply cannot describe.
Our sincerest effort to grasp the incomprehensible mystery of the Trinity must remain forever futile, and only by deepest reverence can it be saved from actual presumption. -A.W. Tozer
In my last “Know God” post we explored the concept of God being incomprehensible. He is beyond our understanding. That fact alone makes God great!
Sadly the age of enlightenment handed us one way to perceive life. If we can touch it and name it then it is real. Otherwise belief in that which is unseen (a.k.a. “faith”) is absurd.
And yet…
Scientist keep trying to break open smaller and smaller pieces of microscopic cells and can’t seem to get to the smallest of the small. And astrologers study the vast universe and haven’t discovered its end.
The reality is? We just don’t know it all.
Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies. We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper “mystery”. -A.W. Tozer
Admitting we don’t know it all is admitting there are things we don’t see and can’t explain and yet they do exist. There is mystery.
The Trinity…the Godhead…three-in-one is such an example of something we accept by faith not by sight.
Skimming through book titles the other day I saw several with the words: “Christ-centered”. And for a moment I wondered why I’d never considered naming my blog, “Christ Centered Mom”?
Before the thought completed it’s round through my cerebrum, the answer came.
Yes, Christ is my Savior. He came and took on flesh, carried my sins and removed them as far as the east is from the west. But my Father, God, so loved me that He sent Jesus. And throughout each day I know God dwells with me through His Spirit.
As much as Christ is central to my faith (“Christ”ianity), the Godhead, three-in-one, is essential.
This is a foundational doctrine of the Church, one I think we have neglected in our day-in/day-out. From the days of the Nicean creed (“I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ….being of One Substance with the Father,…I believe in the Holy Spirit…Who with the Father and Son together is worshipped and glorified.”) the Church claimed all three as equal and functioning together.
Some may say each member of the Trinity has a unique job (that’s why they use an “apple”–skin, flesh, seed–to describe the Trinity). But can God really divide Himself, so that one is working while the other is inactive?
The Bible gives examples of them working together….Creation (Father-Gen 1:1, Son-Col 1:16, Holy Spirit-Job 26:13 & Ps 104:30)…the Incarnation, even though only the Son became flesh, they were all “in on it” (Luke 1:35)…at Christ’s baptism all three were present (Son in the water, Spirit in the form of the dove, Father’s voice from heaven). Then this…
…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14)
Do you see why it matters that we know God is three persons?
If I hadn’t been cleansed by Christ blood on the cross, I would continue as a slave to sin–not able walk in freedom and love my children selflessly. Because I have been made clean I have access to my holy Father God, to serve Him and to trust His plan when life seems mundane (or the opposite, challenging). On my hard days, instead of parenting out of my own strength (and failing miserably), I can be led by the Spirit and walk in victory.
I need all three Persons of the Godhead…every day.
So my goal is to not to just be a Christ-centered mom but a Trinitarian, “God-centered Mom”.
What are your thoughts on the topic of the Trinity? How does your belief in God as three persons affect your daily mothering?
**Thank you to everyone for your warm comments and encouraging words regarding the new podcast. Y’all are the best!!! Can’t wait to share more interviews with you.
the day it dawned on me that the Holy Spirit was the most important part of God changed my life. Jesus is my teacher, God is my confidante, but the Holy Spirit is my best friend without whom I could not even attempt to try to live the Jesus life.
good word Kate! I think the Holy Spirit is essentially to living the way Christ modeled and God the Father desires. We have the power that created heaven and earth in us…may we never forget!
I think Tozer had it right, a mystery. However, I have come to know Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit all differently, though they are one. It is a beautifully, holy mystery.
yes!! a mystery! thank you friend, sorry it’s taken me 6 months to respond!
So then you’re admitting polytheism. Good job hanging onto the traditions created by the pagans that we’re slipped into the Catholic Church upon its creation – it’s what has speared Christianity as it was meant to be. To think of Christ as just the nifty little guy that God created to get stapled to a stick is to look at Mein Kampf and get Green Eggs And Ham – Christ is God manifested in flesh to sacrifice Himself for us, a spotless white lamb to pay for our sins.
Read the Book. Study it without a biased view. Look at the countless references to the oneness of God.
Also, if you were baptized in “the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit”, I’d recommend re-reading the book of Acts.
Hey Christian! Thank you for commenting. Since you haven’t commented on this blog before, I’m thinking that you may not know me or my theology well.
Let’s begin with your first statement, “You’re admitting polytheism”. After re-reading my post, I’m pretty confident I repeatedly said the opposite. God is three parts, each with unique roles, but all essential God. The first time “God” is mentioned in the Bible, “Elohim”, is plural.
Secondly, I completely agree with you on your next points: 1) Christ was not created, He has always been and always will be 2) Christ is God in flesh, sacrificing Himself as a spotless lamb for our sins (my apologies if you thought I believed otherwise).
The point of my post was to say we should view all parts of the Trinity as God. That’s why I chose the title “God Centered Mom”. I agree to you there are countless references in the Bible to the oneness of God.
Hope that clears things up and as believers we don’t allow Satan to cause civil wars distracting us from spreading the gospel! thank you!