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The Trinity is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, but is it a contradiction? Understand the biblical basis and theological nuances behind the concept of one God in three persons. Distinguish between paradox and contradiction while exploring the errors of modalism and tritheism.

The doctrine of the Trinity has been both a cornerstone and a stumbling block within Christian theology. As monotheists, Christians assert the existence of one God, but unlike other monotheistic religions, they also declare this one God to be tri-personal—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This apparent contradiction between one and three has birthed heresies like modalism and tritheism, but does it actually contradict the Bible’s depiction of God’s nature? I argue that it does not.

The Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures themselves affirm both the oneness and the threeness of God. The Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4 famously declares, “Hear, O Israel! Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” Yet the New Testament frequently shows the three persons together, such as in the baptism of Jesus, where the Father speaks from heaven and the Spirit descends like a dove (Matthew 3:16–17).

Understanding Contradiction

To determine whether the doctrine of the Trinity is contradictory, it is crucial to understand what a contradiction is. A contradiction exists when a statement is both true and false at the same time and in the same way. The doctrine of the Trinity doesn’t meet this criterion.

Christians do not affirm that there is only one God and also multiple gods. They affirm the existence of one God who exists in three persons. This isn’t a logical contradiction unless one argues that the oneness necessarily precludes the threeness—which the Bible itself does not do.

The Errors of Modalism and Tritheism

Modalism and tritheism are theological errors that misunderstand the biblical presentation of God’s nature. Modalism emphasizes God’s oneness so much that it views the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as mere “modes” or “masks” of the one God, thereby compromising the distinctiveness of the persons within the Godhead. Tritheism, on the other hand, so emphasizes the threeness that it portrays Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three different gods, thereby compromising the oneness of God. Neither of these positions is faithful to the biblical data, which present God as both one in essence and three in person.

Paradox vs. Contradiction

Many people mistake paradox for contradiction. A paradox is something that initially seems contradictory but is actually possible. The Trinity might be a divine paradox, incomprehensible to the human mind, but it’s not a contradiction. Saying that God is one in essence (ousia) and three in persons (hypostases) is not the same as saying God is one in the same sense in which He is three.

The Importance of the Trinity

It’s worth mentioning that the doctrine of the Trinity is not an arbitrary theological point; it is essential to understanding key Christian beliefs like the incarnation. Jesus could only be both fully God and fully man within the framework of a triune God. This is why He can be the “image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) and why the Spirit can be our “Helper” (John 14:26), distinct from the Father and the Son but of the same essence.

Limited Human Comprehension

Our struggle with the Trinity likely says more about our limitations than about God’s nature. To fully comprehend an infinite God would require infinite understanding—an impossibility for finite creatures. However, our inability to fully grasp how God can be both one and three doesn’t make the concept untrue. The Scriptures reveal it, and that should suffice for our belief, regardless of our lack of understanding.

Conclusion

Therefore, the doctrine of the Trinity is not a contradiction but rather a profound mystery that challenges our finite understanding. It aligns with the biblical evidence, standing as a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Those who deem it contradictory likely misunderstand either the nature of a contradiction or the nuanced theological affirmations of the doctrine itself. The biblical testimony about the nature of God as one in essence and three in persons stands robust, inviting us into the mystery rather than a contradiction.

Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Essential for Salvation?

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).