Well I have had a few replies to my Analogy of the Trinity and some time to reflect upon them; and all I can say is that it is impossible in Human terms to describe the Trinity and Alister McGrath was right when he said, “That this is something we can't comprehend this side of Eternity.”
Again, whilst My Hammer analogy veers a little towards Modalism, as do most other illustrations, I still think it helps us to realize that although the individual “persons” of the Trinity have unique aspects, they are still the one substance.
Of course and again the Hammer is only an analogy , being both man made, and thus it is necessary for someone to wield it. But again, it was/is, simply to show the working unity of the one God-Head.
An egg has also been used to describe the Trinity, however to get the use of the individual parts of the egg, you have to break it and then lose the “Oneness” of the egg forever.
Anyway the Hammer is my thoughts on the matter currently; use it or don’t use it as you see fit. Thanks again to all those who took the time and trouble to reply. Thanks again.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My analogy of the Trinity.
Last night I was reading a book on, and called, “Historical Theology” by Alister E. McGrath (Blackwell publishing, 1998, reprint 2003) and In his section on the Patristic period of the Church (AD c.100 – 451) he mentioned the problems that arose in the Early Church in trying to describe the Trinity in an analogy that anyone could understand, without the danger of it running into Modalism. That is where the parts or modes, are distinct and distinctly separate. i.e. First one mode, then the other, then the next; such as with the common analogies of an egg (Shell, white & Yolk) or Water/ Ice/ Steam. All of which can be separated from the others and still function in some way.
And so there I was, sitting there, thinking, with this problem/question, hammering away at my brain, when suddenly an idea hit me like a hammer. The thought was so simple that I couldn’t believe that no one else had ever thought of it before. Which then made me worry that maybe it isn’t so great after all, and thus just like all of the others (such as Eggs & Water) has been tried before and found wanting. However, despite that concern, I have decided to write out my analogy of the Trinity and put it down for others to see, and to see who can be the first to shoot holes in my bright idea.
So here is my bright analogy/ idea that hit me like a hammer. Hit me like a claw hammer, that is! But first: Please remember that any analogy, even the best, can never properly refer fully to God. All we can do is say, God is a wee, little, tiny bit like this or that analogy.
Anyway, my analogy says that God is a little like a Carpenter’s or Claw hammer.
1. A claw hammer has a flat-headed surface to drive nails in with. It is also the part of the hammer, most people relate too when they hear the word hammer too!
2. A claw hammer also has a claw to help pull or separate things apart from other things.
3. A claw hammer also has a nail pulling application between the two claws of the hammer. Often not seen or noticed by most, but always there.
Thus a claw hammer is like God, in that a claw hammer has 3 separate and distinct functions within the one unity. And just like God, the whole hammer participates in every action of the hammer, no matter which application is being applied at any one time.
So just like with my claw hammer, every action of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit/Ghost) is part of and involved with each and every other action and part of the Trinity at the same time. They are never separate parts, acting separately from the others, but all working as one, despite whichever distinct action is being applied at any particular time.
Well, there was my brilliant analogy of the Trinity, what say you? Has it been used before? And what are the weaknesses with it? Your constructive thoughts please?
And so there I was, sitting there, thinking, with this problem/question, hammering away at my brain, when suddenly an idea hit me like a hammer. The thought was so simple that I couldn’t believe that no one else had ever thought of it before. Which then made me worry that maybe it isn’t so great after all, and thus just like all of the others (such as Eggs & Water) has been tried before and found wanting. However, despite that concern, I have decided to write out my analogy of the Trinity and put it down for others to see, and to see who can be the first to shoot holes in my bright idea.
So here is my bright analogy/ idea that hit me like a hammer. Hit me like a claw hammer, that is! But first: Please remember that any analogy, even the best, can never properly refer fully to God. All we can do is say, God is a wee, little, tiny bit like this or that analogy.
Anyway, my analogy says that God is a little like a Carpenter’s or Claw hammer.
1. A claw hammer has a flat-headed surface to drive nails in with. It is also the part of the hammer, most people relate too when they hear the word hammer too!
2. A claw hammer also has a claw to help pull or separate things apart from other things.
3. A claw hammer also has a nail pulling application between the two claws of the hammer. Often not seen or noticed by most, but always there.
Thus a claw hammer is like God, in that a claw hammer has 3 separate and distinct functions within the one unity. And just like God, the whole hammer participates in every action of the hammer, no matter which application is being applied at any one time.
So just like with my claw hammer, every action of the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit/Ghost) is part of and involved with each and every other action and part of the Trinity at the same time. They are never separate parts, acting separately from the others, but all working as one, despite whichever distinct action is being applied at any particular time.
Well, there was my brilliant analogy of the Trinity, what say you? Has it been used before? And what are the weaknesses with it? Your constructive thoughts please?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The spread of Flu and Sin.
Today we are looking at Genesis 6 and the spread of sin among mankind. Despite what many claim and even desperately want to believe, Sin is both infectious and contagious and persistent too. Back in Chapter 3 of Genesis with the disobedience to God’s clear command to Adam and Eve, we saw Sin start out first as a suggestion, then as the act, then spread in the sharing or encouragement of Adam to join in this act of disobedience. Then in Chapter four we saw how this sin spread onto one of their Children, before eventually spreading to all mankind,
We note two things of interest here though Adam and Eve’s sin stopped with Arable. Able Choose not to sin and obeyed God. Yes it cost him his life at the hand of his brother, but he still refrained from sin and will be remembered forever more for it.
While Cain, on the other hand, indulged freely and spread that sin to others and also is for evermore remembered for it too.
It reminds me a bit of the current Flue epidemic going around at the moment. Some are unaffected by it and others are somewhat affected and some others completely laid low by it.
Sin is like that too. Some seem naturally immune to it (They are not, but that’s another story.) Whiles others are touched but not greatly harmed, and yet others are laid quite low by it, even unto death.
Now Doctors tell us that we all need to be careful about the Flu. And to take certain precautions, both not to get it, and also how not to spread it. We should do the same too with sin and contain it rather than spread it around to others.
Able did his bit to not spread it, but Cain willingly spread it. What about you now? Both with the Flu and with Sin? Are you doing every thing possible to stop its spread, or are you, even if by your inaction, actually spreading it further and further?
Again something for all of us to think on during our quiet times with the Lord.
We note two things of interest here though Adam and Eve’s sin stopped with Arable. Able Choose not to sin and obeyed God. Yes it cost him his life at the hand of his brother, but he still refrained from sin and will be remembered forever more for it.
While Cain, on the other hand, indulged freely and spread that sin to others and also is for evermore remembered for it too.
It reminds me a bit of the current Flue epidemic going around at the moment. Some are unaffected by it and others are somewhat affected and some others completely laid low by it.
Sin is like that too. Some seem naturally immune to it (They are not, but that’s another story.) Whiles others are touched but not greatly harmed, and yet others are laid quite low by it, even unto death.
Now Doctors tell us that we all need to be careful about the Flu. And to take certain precautions, both not to get it, and also how not to spread it. We should do the same too with sin and contain it rather than spread it around to others.
Able did his bit to not spread it, but Cain willingly spread it. What about you now? Both with the Flu and with Sin? Are you doing every thing possible to stop its spread, or are you, even if by your inaction, actually spreading it further and further?
Again something for all of us to think on during our quiet times with the Lord.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Learn from Life experiences and get right with God right now!
Well, today’s topic is called, “Learn from Life experiences and get right with God right now!
But do we ever really learn from the life experiences of others? Or do we always have to experience them ourselves, even if only in some small way, before we finally get right with God Now?
Fortunately for us these lessons for right living & learned the hard way by others, have been recorded for us in the Bible for us to learn from. To learn from and thus to avoid all the pitfalls of others who have gone before us and to emulate or copy the good experiences for ourselves. Thus learn what to do and what not to do, from the experiences of others who have experienced life in its fullness and rawness. Learn so that we don’t make similar mistakes to them and repeat their bad experiences instead of enjoying their Good ones.
But do we really learn from these examples put before us in the Word of God? And if not, why not?
I fear that it could be largely because most who call themselves Christians, don’t really know the word of God clearly.
Sure, many can recite passages and even whole chapters off in their head, but how many actually understand what they are reading or reciting? And how many understand these words within the whole context of the Bible and not just taking “bits ’n’ pieces” here and there and fitting the word of God to their lives, instead of fitting their lives to the word of God?
Studying Luke’s gospel has been a revelation to me in seeing how every passage is connected in some way to those that precede and follow it. And the same is also true how each chapter is connected in themes to those, which precede and follow it.
So please, please, please, read your bibles both regularly and read whole chapters and whole books and not just verses here and there, no matter how special they are to you. Again, let us all read the whole word of God in its context and not just read bits ‘n’ pieces of it.
Your fellow servant in this Word:
But do we ever really learn from the life experiences of others? Or do we always have to experience them ourselves, even if only in some small way, before we finally get right with God Now?
Fortunately for us these lessons for right living & learned the hard way by others, have been recorded for us in the Bible for us to learn from. To learn from and thus to avoid all the pitfalls of others who have gone before us and to emulate or copy the good experiences for ourselves. Thus learn what to do and what not to do, from the experiences of others who have experienced life in its fullness and rawness. Learn so that we don’t make similar mistakes to them and repeat their bad experiences instead of enjoying their Good ones.
But do we really learn from these examples put before us in the Word of God? And if not, why not?
I fear that it could be largely because most who call themselves Christians, don’t really know the word of God clearly.
Sure, many can recite passages and even whole chapters off in their head, but how many actually understand what they are reading or reciting? And how many understand these words within the whole context of the Bible and not just taking “bits ’n’ pieces” here and there and fitting the word of God to their lives, instead of fitting their lives to the word of God?
Studying Luke’s gospel has been a revelation to me in seeing how every passage is connected in some way to those that precede and follow it. And the same is also true how each chapter is connected in themes to those, which precede and follow it.
So please, please, please, read your bibles both regularly and read whole chapters and whole books and not just verses here and there, no matter how special they are to you. Again, let us all read the whole word of God in its context and not just read bits ‘n’ pieces of it.
Your fellow servant in this Word:
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Carry your own lantern.
While down the street recently I came across a sign outside a shop that said, “ Carry your own lantern and you will never need to be afraid of the Dark.”
Very good advice I feel, for not only will you never need to be afraid of the dark, but you can also provide light for others as well, So instead of always being dependant of others to show or lead the way for you, you can do so by yourself if necessary.
Yes, with you own light, you can also choose for yourself which is the right road, rather than being forced to follow someone else’s road right or wrong! Or having to wait till someone else with a light of their own and heading your way, comes along.
Of course carrying a lamp of your own is one thing, carrying the right one, is another. As we come to this Christmas Season, let us all remember He who was born to be the light of the whole world.
And remembering Him alone, let each one of us take hold of this Light of the world, as our very own, so that we not only always have “The Light” with us, but so that we can always see and find the road or path down which we are meant to be headed. And then head in that right direction too. And hopefully even guide others in that direction too.
Will you do that? Will you carry the light of the world for yourself from this point on and also use it to guide others to Christ too?
Very good advice I feel, for not only will you never need to be afraid of the dark, but you can also provide light for others as well, So instead of always being dependant of others to show or lead the way for you, you can do so by yourself if necessary.
Yes, with you own light, you can also choose for yourself which is the right road, rather than being forced to follow someone else’s road right or wrong! Or having to wait till someone else with a light of their own and heading your way, comes along.
Of course carrying a lamp of your own is one thing, carrying the right one, is another. As we come to this Christmas Season, let us all remember He who was born to be the light of the whole world.
And remembering Him alone, let each one of us take hold of this Light of the world, as our very own, so that we not only always have “The Light” with us, but so that we can always see and find the road or path down which we are meant to be headed. And then head in that right direction too. And hopefully even guide others in that direction too.
Will you do that? Will you carry the light of the world for yourself from this point on and also use it to guide others to Christ too?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
To Equivocate or not?
I have hesitated and been quite ambiguous and unclear as to whether I should write about September 21st 2009’s word of the day, “Equivocate.
To equivocate is literally to call equally one thing or the other. To be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or to avoid committing oneself to anything definite.
In other words to equivocate is to try and avoid making a decision. Or committing yourself to an action, you are either unsure of or are afraid will turn around and bite you irregardless of what decision you make. Hence you equivocate in responding or answering, hoping the problem will go away and you can avoid committing yourself.
Sometimes this works with no real cost to you or the others involved, but sometimes your equivocating can cost badly. Either cost you or others, but still cost greatly. So if you find yourself in a position of equivocating where further equivocating is simply putting of the inevitable. Or worse likely to be costly to someone, whether you or anyone else, climb down of the fence and make a commitment.
After all remember James 4:17. “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.”
So stop hurting others and start doing what you know is right and start doing it right now!
To equivocate is literally to call equally one thing or the other. To be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or to avoid committing oneself to anything definite.
In other words to equivocate is to try and avoid making a decision. Or committing yourself to an action, you are either unsure of or are afraid will turn around and bite you irregardless of what decision you make. Hence you equivocate in responding or answering, hoping the problem will go away and you can avoid committing yourself.
Sometimes this works with no real cost to you or the others involved, but sometimes your equivocating can cost badly. Either cost you or others, but still cost greatly. So if you find yourself in a position of equivocating where further equivocating is simply putting of the inevitable. Or worse likely to be costly to someone, whether you or anyone else, climb down of the fence and make a commitment.
After all remember James 4:17. “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin.”
So stop hurting others and start doing what you know is right and start doing it right now!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
God’s presence at all times.
Recently I was asked this question: “do you think we always have the same amount of God's presence with us or do you think that God draws closer to us at certain times and then "moves away".
Different people may have different opinions on this but Jesus clearly said, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20b. (NRSV). So, as I accept that Jesus is part of the trinity and Godhead, I thus believe that God is present with us always.
And always means always. And even if we don’t always see or experience His presence, that doesn’t mean He is not there. After all, how many times have you been in a room and not seen somebody else also in that room, all because you had your back to them?
It is the same with God. We often don’t see Him, not because He has moved, but because we have either turned our backs to Him, or allowed other things to distract us, or even allowed other people to block our view of Him. Again, how many times have you been in a crowded place, and lost track of the person you were with, because you either stopped to look at something without telling them or you sped ahead of them and allowed other people to come between you and them?
Many people today believe God is not there or has even left them, because they, they and not He, have either turned their backs on where God is, or they have allowed other things to distract them from God, or they have allowed other people to come between them and God.
So what about you today? Are you fully aware of God’s presence in your life now, or have you too allowed yourself to be distracted from where God is at?
Over to you now for reflection.
Different people may have different opinions on this but Jesus clearly said, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20b. (NRSV). So, as I accept that Jesus is part of the trinity and Godhead, I thus believe that God is present with us always.
And always means always. And even if we don’t always see or experience His presence, that doesn’t mean He is not there. After all, how many times have you been in a room and not seen somebody else also in that room, all because you had your back to them?
It is the same with God. We often don’t see Him, not because He has moved, but because we have either turned our backs to Him, or allowed other things to distract us, or even allowed other people to block our view of Him. Again, how many times have you been in a crowded place, and lost track of the person you were with, because you either stopped to look at something without telling them or you sped ahead of them and allowed other people to come between you and them?
Many people today believe God is not there or has even left them, because they, they and not He, have either turned their backs on where God is, or they have allowed other things to distract them from God, or they have allowed other people to come between them and God.
So what about you today? Are you fully aware of God’s presence in your life now, or have you too allowed yourself to be distracted from where God is at?
Over to you now for reflection.
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