Tag Archives: Trinity

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#30: How to Explain the Trinity to a Child

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How to Explain the Trinity to a Child

How do you explain the Trinity to a child? For that matter, how do you explain the Trinity to anyone?

The first thing you need to know is that the Bible never uses the word “Trinity.” The word Trinity captures the various ways the Bible talks about the nature of God.

Also, the Trinity is one of the essential and foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. You can’t have Christianity without it.

I want to share a clear and memorable way to understand what the Bible teaches about the Trinity. I first came across this illustration from Norm Geisler.

One What and Three Who’s

There is one what and three who’s. There is one God and three persons. The “what” refers to the nature of God that all three persons share.

The belief that there is only one God is clearly taught in Scripture. For example,

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! – Deuteronomy 6:4

That there are three persons is also clearly taught in Scripture. We see all three persons described and at work in various passages, including 2 Cor. 13:14:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Each is a distinct person. Three who’s. (more…)

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What Christians Believe About Jesus in 20 Minutes [Podcast]

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What do Christians believe about Jesus Christ? If you have ever wondered about this or would like a brief overview (20 min) of what the Bible teaches and why these doctrines matter, then this podcast is for you! In plain language we will discuss the deity and humanity of Christ along with implications for the life of the Christian.

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For more on the doctrine of Christ, see the excellent book by systematic theologian (and my former pastor) Erik Thoennes – Life’s Biggest Questions: What the Bible Says about the Things That Matter Most (Crossway 2011). Also, to explore the full breadth of the biblical data concerning the deity of Christ, see Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ (Kregel 2007). If you would like a resource to help students begin to engage theology, see Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey.

If you enjoyed this topic / podcast, you would also enjoy our podcast – Why Theology Matters

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The Bible And The Trinity

What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?

1. There is only one God. (Dt. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; 1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5
2. There are three distinct persons (Ps. 45:6, 110:1; Isa 63:7-10; Zech 1:12; Mt. 3:16-17, 28:19; Lk. 23:46; 2 Cor. 13:14) who are each fully God:

  • The Father (Jn. 6:27; Rom. 1:7; Gal. 1:1)
  • The Son (Mk. 2:5; 14:61-65; Jn. 1:1-5; 8:58; 10:11; Col 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-15; Rev. 1:17)
  • The Holy Spirit (Gen 1:2 (cf. Isa. 44:6; Isa 63:7-9; Ps. 139:7; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:14; Heb 9:14)