Can one plus one plus one equal one?

For years, theologians and the people in the pews have taught, debated, denied and struggled with the concept of the Trinity. How can there be One God yet three are called God? We come up with illustrations, like the three parts of an egg (inadequate in my mind), or H₂O being ice, water and steam (better). Another is that my husband is a father, a son and an uncle; the same person with three titles, but that isn’t quite it either.

The Bible does not get into a detailed explanation of how this works, it just declares it. The Hebrew people understood God is one. He revealed it to them; it was not something they came up with themselves. While they resisted God and His rule over them, they still let it be known that they were worshipers of the one true God. He is their Creator who gave them His Law, who led them and who eventually allowed them to be in bondage in Babylon. It was in this pagan place where they finally became so disgusted with idols and idolatry that they never dabbled in it again.

Their monotheism or belief in only one God stood out from all other societies. It was so strong that when Jesus came, they could not accept His claim to deity as anything but blasphemy and therefore crucified Him. But Jesus was not lying or insane. He was God in human flesh. Even though the New Testament church supported monotheism, God’s people understood more about God and found no other explanation of what He revealed to them except that He is three persons yet one God.

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (1 Corinthians 8:4–6)

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5–6)

These verses and many others support the OT revelation of one God. While the Father and the Son are often the focus, the Holy Spirit is also included as the third person of this Triune being . . .

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4–6)

^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I cannot explain even to my own mind the idea of three equaling one. However, knowing You is not about mere human logic and never has been. Instead, knowing You is by revelation. You reveal yourself to me as a triune God. When Jesus came into my living room and into my life, that was the first truth that was firmly placed in my understanding. By faith, I know it is true — Jesus is fully God. The evidence is in Your Word but without any explanation except this description of faith:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1–3)

You have convinced me of that which I cannot see, just like You convinced the people of old. I know You created all things, regardless of anything that appears otherwise. I know that You are God, even though I cannot figure out how that works or makes sense. Faith makes sense, not because I can make sense of everything but because You have proven yourself worthy my total trust!

Now there is a word for it

January 17, 2008

In the February issue of The Writer magazine, I learned of a new word coined by a television comedian. This word was named Word of the Year in 2006 by Merriam-Webster, so I’m a bit red-faced at being behind the times. Nevertheless, the definition of this word is quite familiar.

The word is “truthiness.” It comes from the current thinking that facts do not matter; perception is everything. In other words, truthiness means that something is true because a person believes it’s true, even if it is false.

The article linked this word to the way current political candidates rework language so they can say something no one wants to hear and make it sound good. Words like “increased taxes” are massaged to “necessary revenue enhancements.”

As I read the article, I linked it to the way this kind of thinking has almost obliterated the concept of absolute truth. It has particularly affected the Gospel and given people yet another reason to reject it.

Not that this reason has never existed. Long before this word was coined, people would say about the claims of Jesus Christ, “That is true for you, but it is not true for me.” For them, truth is about their perception. If it doesn’t feel true, or seem plausible, or they don’t want to believe it, then it isn’t true.

Truthiness affects how a person thinks they can be saved from sin and go to heaven when they die. Absolute truth says that Jesus died for our sins, and by believing in Him we can have eternal life. “But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Galatians 3:22).

Truthiness ignores the claims of Christ and the clear teaching of Scripture. Instead, it says “If I’m a good person, God will let me in.” Millions of people believe this, mostly because pride wants it to be true. Because so many think this way, in their minds the ‘gospel of good works’ must be true, even though God’s Word declares that it is false.

Truthiness describes the thinking in cults also. My brother told me that because there are so many followers in the religious group he belongs to, and because all of them are convinced they are right (and everyone else is wrong), then his cult must be the true ‘faith’— even though what he believes is contrary to what the Bible says.

I’ve tried to point out the illogical side of truthiness to a few people. For instance, if someone told me my house was on fire and I felt that it wasn’t, obviously my opinion or perception is more than risky. If the house is on fire, perception will not change that reality. A call to the fire department might, but if I am unconvinced, my opinion could mean disaster, not only for my house but my very life.

Politicians and salesmen and others use euphemisms to cover up words that might make them unpopular or expose the flaws in their views, or in what they are trying to sell. The idea of making it sound good helps people to think it (whatever it is) is good, or good for them—even if it isn’t. This is not only deceptive, but insincere. Even those who cannot decipher their truthiness language can sense that something is not right. How can a person vote for the best candidate (or purchase the best car) without having clear information?

The same question applies to spiritual matters. Who can make an intelligent decision about the claims of Jesus Christ if the message is massaged to the point of being palatable—but no longer true?

I thank God that He doesn’t waffle or massage His words. Some of what He says is difficult to understand, but that is seldom the real problem people have with it. They don’t like what they do understand. Sadly, instead of exploring the truth and God’s solution for it, this so-called enlightened generation, including its cults and isms, think that the best way to deal with plain truth is to rework it into truthiness. That way, they reword the Bible, or its message, into something people like to hear. Their version is no longer true, but at least they can sell it to those who prefer truthiness to truth.

Point of View

I’ve been trying to work on our family tree for several years, but I keep having the same frustration. I’m a detail person and get caught up in the minutia. I want to be able to put a big chart up on the wall with all the information gathered thus far, and then when I find a new tidbit, just write it in the appropriate place (or at least see at a glance that I already have it recorded).

My husband likes to look at the big picture. He prefers looking down from the top of the mountain, while I like to be at the bottom and look up, or even just enjoy a close-up of leaves and flowers nearby. Also, he remembers the gist of things, while I recall the details. I think he should do the family tree, but he isn’t interested.

It’s all perspective, how you look at something. The Bible talks about how we look at people. We can see them the human way, noticing and evaluating according to the world’s standards (appearance, achievement, popularity, etc.), but God wants us to think differently.

I noticed that happened to me when God changed my life. I became more fond of others, to care more about what happened to them. Instead of being so focused on ‘me, myself, and I’, Jesus changed my perspective to be more in line with His view of people.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul explains that because Christ died for everyone, those who have new life in Him should live for Him, not themselves. He goes on to say, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”

Seeing people “according to the flesh” is that old perspective of what matters on earth, but God’s perspective concerns eternal qualities, things that matter for heaven. Instead of being concerned with what impresses the world, He asks me to be more concerned with the things that He wants. He wants goodness, holiness, faith, and love for others, and He wants me to regard people from that perspective, not how much money they make, or what they look like, or if they are popular.

Most of the time I can do this, but I am very aware that this perspective is not the norm. When I take this perspective, I’m an oddity. In most circles, I don’t fit in, am misunderstood and sometimes totally ignored. I don’t like that much, but there are a couple of pluses. Besides being in good company, I learn far more about people than they realize, just by the way they respond to my way of looking!

Note: some are asking for updates about my husband and granddaughter. Bob is doing well. He says he is tired more easily, but he is going curling tonight, looking forward to golf this year, and his tests affirm that his CLL is still chronic and not into an acute stage. He is not being treated in any way and still going to work every day. Some people have lived many years with this, and he’s hoping to be one of them. The fact of this blood cancer remains part of our daily lives, but as he says, “We are all terminal. Deal with it.”

Our granddaughter is still free from depression and suicidal thoughts. As I think about the day (about a month ago) this change happened so dramatically, I’m convinced that her freedom came when she heard the words, “You need Jesus.” The evil forces that were plaguing her had to leave, because of the power of His name.

She still needs Jesus, but she is more like her old self, happy, making plans, and looking ahead. Now, the next biggest issue we see is that she needs to actually get a job (she is looking), then pay her bills. She wants to get another student loan and go back to school, and just skip those other responsibilities. Please continue to pray for her, first for her spiritual needs, but also for her need to be responsible for her life rather than expecting everyone else to pay her way. (We feed and house her, but won’t give her money.)

Thanks so much to all who are faithfully praying!