The egg (or apple) fails in that the shell, white, and yolk are parts of the egg, not the egg in themselves, just as the skin, flesh, and seeds of the apple are parts of it, not the apple itself. The yolk represents Gods Person, His Being, and His Holiness which generates Light that no man can approach (I Timothy 6:16). Arius was condemned by the council of Nicea in 325 AD. A certain YouTube page created a famous video titled "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies" (which can be found here), in which the historic St. Patrick meets charming villagers who deride him based on the analogies which he uses in the process of explaining the Holy Trinity. This analogy sounds pretty good, but it is fatally flawed in that is describes the Son and Spirit as creations of the Father. God is not made up of 3 parts like the 3 parts of the egg. Here are some of them: The problem with this is that it leads to the view that God is a Trinity simply because He relates differently to us at different times. Let's use an egg to explain the Holy Trinity! Paul explains our finite understanding of beliefs like the Trinity as looking into a poor-quality mirror- a distorted image; dim and unclear. This little child cannot look at one without experiencing a profound sense of wonderment and awe. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,, , Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. Therefore it behoves us to know what He has revealed (including the Trinity), and to lovingly worship Him accordingly. Christians believe, then, that only one God exists but this God exists as a unity of three persons: a Trinity. An essential factor lacking from those concepts is the relational quality of God. The analogy breaks down because I can simultaneously be a father, husband, and son to any one person. Adorn your liturgical vestments with classic images from the Monastery Icons collection. In the same way, there is a God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.. Therefore, in this context, God is the what and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the who. Analogies often fall short. Thus the Father is in Jesus " I and My Father are One" (John 10:30), "The Father is in Me" (John 14:10) God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (II Corinthians 5:19). The divine persons are really DISTINCT from one another, and not merely different roles of God at different times. Each side is co-equal with the others, yet, each side is necessary. This is the one I used long ago when trying to explain the Trinity to a group of 1st-5th graders. Martyn Iles Removed as Managing Director of Australian Christian Lobby by Board, Seven Types of Rest to Restore Your Body, Mind and Spirit, 8 witnesses testified against Hillsong founder Brian Houston in court case, wife Bobbie reveals, Why you feel guilty for not going to church, Samaritan's Purse sends 52-bed field hospital to Turkey. Like modalism, the "three beings" view was rejected by the early church. The Trinity is not 1 + 1 + 1 but more like 1 x 1 x 1. Truly, it is a Mystery. His being is somewhat of a mystery to us. Love was not given to Jesus. In scripture we see explicit trinitarian references, especially at Jesus' baptism where the Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son is in the water. How do we make sense of the Trinity? The military would like to have that power. Misunderstanding 1: The transforming trinity This analogy denies the unity of the God-head. He explains why the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the gospel even if it seems abstract or confusing, highlights why all analogies and metaphors are of limited value when thinking about the Godhead, and responds to the . A person distinguishes himself from others by saying me, mine, you, yours, etc. A being is the whole nature or essence of something. If you're looking to dive deeper into God's word, here are 6 kinds of bible study tools and resources 9 Influential Female Leaders in the New Testament. It can also be a liquid and called water. Holy Trinity, the downtown Greek Orthodox church that was partially destroyed by fire 11 years ago, was a special place for 57-year-old Georgiou. A, distinguishes himself from others by saying me, mine, you, yours, etc. A. is the whole nature or essence of something. For instance at the baptism of Christ, the Father, Son and Spirit are all distinctly present and interacting (Matthew chapter 3 verses 16-17). Time Analogy God is like time. This analogy denies the unity of the God-head. This is a quick way to describe the doctrine of the Trinity namely, God is 1 being (the what is Gods nature, essence, being) and 3 whos (the whos being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The white of an egg is the connection between the yolk and the shell. H2O can exist as a solid, a liquid and a gas but they are all still H2O. But the Bible is CLEAR in its teaching. God is one. However, keep in mind that the one being who is God is a personal being. La da dee dee dum dum (I couldnt remember the in-between parts). Explaining the Holy Trinity. There is one GOD in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), 2. This is because the H20 is changing forms in representing each person. In other words, God may manifest Himself as the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. They suggest that only one God exists but this God transforms or morphs into each of the different persons. The term Economic refers to the roles, functions, and relationships that exist within the Trinity. We have the creeds for just that reason. THE TRUTH IS: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three different parts or components of God, but the . Sure enough, one member answered Well Ive heard that the Trinity is like water: water can be liquid, gas (steam), or solid (ice), but its still the same water. The word Trinity comes from the Latin word trinitas which means tri-unity. If all you had were an eggshell, you wouldnt have a very exciting breakfast. He completed a doctorate in 1990, looking at the question of harmonic rhythm in the organ music of J.S. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. You are an egg! But we cannot do that (assuming we can) with God. Unfortunately, Arianism is still around and can found within the Jehovah's Witnesses teachings. But while this idea is central to the Christian faith, it is also incredibly mysterious to us. Lord of all, we bow before thee. Dr. Bruce Ware does an excellent job in his book Big Truths for Young Hearts. Haydn Lea is an Associate Pastor in Queensland, and is currently studying his Master of Arts (Theology). Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. That would not be had God be three persons. I did read about the shamrock analogy! My prayer is to infuse God's character into your everyday lives with short ( 4-5") devotions and Bible Studies every Monday morning. The Trinity is a tri-unity, a unity of Three, - God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Yeah its definitely a hard thing to understand, let alone explain to little ones ! God is kind of like a man who is a father, a son and an uncle God is kind of like a three-leaf clover, or a triangle; one object, but three different, identifiable leaves, or sides* The Trinity is a tri-unity, a unity of Three, - God the Father, Jesus, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Cool it down, and itll eventually freeze into a solid. But you cannot be broken when your faith is in Jesus, for the Spirit of the Son that lives in us and gives us the voice through which we cry Abba, Father, (Galatians 4:6,) this Spirit of the Father that dwells within you is there to strengthen, protect and guard your person. These three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - exist together in complete unity, with no separation, as one divine being. Jesus loves us so much that he did not obliterate people who died, with power that set stars in the universe. Moreover, the yoke and the whites are no longer as they used to be. Basic mathematics tells us that 1x1x1 = 1.. So comparing God to water isnt really as helpful as it seems on the surface. I believe that the best way to talk about the Trinity is to simply say that God is one God, who eternally exists in three Persons. As a doctrine (belief), the trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three separate and distinct persons united in one being- God. I know in the past Ive used analogies that werent the best (more on those later.) This book is now available in a published format for easy sharing and classroom use. 6And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons., , The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all., There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. I think the analogy of the Sun works well. But, when it's heated, it turns into a gas (steam) and, when it's frozen, it turns into a solid (ice). But the Father is not the Son or the Spirit. This analogy is still not perfect because each of the aspect cannot stand as egg like each of the persons in the trinity can stand as God. If God has existed for all eternity in a perfectly loving Triune relationship, then it shows He is completely self-sufficient and requires no further relationship in order to complete or satisfy Himself. In order to accomplish this union with God and man, He allowed His Shell to be broken with the weight of our sins to cleanse our souls so His holiness can approach, for God cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13). This analogy is an invalid comparison to the Trinity and is a heresy called PARTIALISM. copyright 2009 by H.D. Is He Jesus side-kick? I dont believe that God wishes us to be confused about the Three that are so apparent throughout the Old and New Testaments. Every kid in Sunday school thinks he knows all about God. Ontological means the nature or essence of something. God has revealed some mysteries from the Old Testament in the New Testament (the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the coming of the Messiah, salvation by grace through faith, etc.) But this view, too, wont do. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John14:2, 3). When we separate them and view them as individual deities, that is the error of tritheism, which is the worship of three individual gods as one.