TRINITY AND SALVATION

Someone asks whether it is necessary to say that God is a Trinity, one God in three persons, in order to be saved.

*          *          *Evidently not, since the New Testament Scriptures never use the word “Trinity” or the expression “three persons.” However, Scripture says much indeed concerning the nature and identity of Jesus Christ, who is the divine Word-made-flesh. lt also speaks of the Holy Spirit in personal terms. Whatever Scripture clearly affirms regarding what Christians traditionally refer to as “trinitarian” doctrine, we should be eager to affirm. But God nowhere requires us to embrace or to use uninspired language in trying to explain the nature of deity, however logical that language might seem or however long it has been used by a majority of those calling themselves Christians.

Make no mistake — I am a trinitarian, as I understand that term, and I try to persuade others to be as well. I sing, praise, worship and pray to “God in three persons” — although I am quick to confess that I understand very little of what that really means. But I am not ready to take up a spiritual sword against godly men and women of faith who do not understand this matter fully either, and who might be less ready than I am to use non-biblical language to describe the part they do understand.

The precise nature of God lies beyond the scope of divine revelation and beyond our ability to fully comprehend. When we discuss topics of such depth and complexity, we do well to speak in measured tones and with obvious humility. Salvation does not come by explaining God, but by trusting him. He does not call us to analyze him in his transcendent nature, but to believe, love and obey him as he has revealed himself in Jesus Christ.