'Explaining' Trinity With The Athanasian Creed

Judaism, Islam and Christianity are three religions that also known as the Abrahamic religions. While Judaism and Islam maintain the belief of strict monotheism (that God is one), Christianity on the other hand has the unique monotheism. The type of theism the Christian believe in is Trinitarian Monotheism (it is Tri but at same time it is Mono) which in simple means 'one God in three persons' [1]. Throughout the history of Christianity, there were numerous numbers of council and creed. I personally like to read about the history of Christianity. One of the creeds in Christianity is called the Athanasian Creed. The main content of the creed is about the concept and the persons of Trinity. The doctrine of Trinity is one of the interesting subjects to be studied. These are several lines from the Athanasian Creed [2]:

“That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity”.
“The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate”.
“The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals, but one eternal”.
“So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty”.
“So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God”.
“The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father (and of the Son), neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding”. [3]

Above are several lines from the creed. Let us be honest in this discussion. One is not same with three in one. When you say ‘one God’ it means one God. But the belief of Christianity about God is, the Father (without the Son and Holy Ghost) alone is God. The Son (without the Father and Holy Ghost) alone is God. The Holy Ghost (without the Father and Son) alone is God. Yet, the Christians still believe that there is only one God. When the Christians say that the Son is co-eternal, co-exist with the Father, then how come the Son becomes a Son if he is co-eternal and co-exist with the Father? It is like saying, I have a father and I am his son, but my father and I existed in this earth at the same time.

If Jesus was co-eternal in time with God, then that negates Jesus being a ‘begotten son of God’. The creed also mentioned that, the son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. What do you mean by ‘begotten but not made/created’? Let us be honest once again, the concept of Trinity cannot be explained. There are many Christian sects who deny the concept of Trinity (where often they are categorized as cult) such as the Arianism (4th century) some radical reformers (16 century), such as Michael Servetus, Jehovah’s Witnesses [4] and Unitarianism. The reasons given for rejecting the doctrine of Trinity [5]:

1) It is not mentioned in the Bible.
2) It does not make philosophical sense.
3) It is not compatible with monotheism.
4) It is not necessary in order to explain the “specialness” of Jesus.

It is indeed that Trinity cannot be explained. Even the Christian scholars usually will use the word ‘mystery’ when they try to explain the concept of Trinity. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Trinity is explained in such way:

“The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life”. [6]

The definition of the word ‘mystery’ is ‘anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown’ [7]. Yet, there are many Christians in this world today say that they understand Trinity or trying to explain Trinity. If it is a mystery, than do not explain it because it cannot be explained. If it cannot be explained, then how do you understand the concept? The Christians will say that God have made them understand the Trinity. Yet (once again), when we ask you what is Trinity? You (the person who already understand what is Trinity) still cannot explain it to us.

This strange concept of Trinity is so difficult to understand, where Augustine himself did not even understand it. Augustine said, “If we be asked to define the Trinity, we can only say, it is not this or that” [8]. St. Athanasius one of the great propagators of the concept of Trinity has candidly confessed that whenever he force his understanding to meditate upon the divinity of the Logos, his toilsome and unavailing efforts recoiled on themselves; that the more he thought, the less he comprehended; and the more he wrote, the less capable was he of expressing his thoughts” [9]. Maybe the Christians still trying to believe this concept because of this saying:

“Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul”.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
[1] More information about the concept of Trinity is here.
[2] The whole creed can be read here.
[3] More information about the Holy Spirit and where did it come from can be found here.
[4]An explanation by Watchtower Society on the topic of ‘Should You Believe In Trinity?’ Click here.
[5] The reasons of rejecting and the reasons for believing here.
[6] Catechism of the Catholic Church – Part 1 Section 2 Chapter 1 Article 1 Paragraph 2 here.
[7] Dictionary.com – Mystery
[8] Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume 3, Section 130, page 672
[9] Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, chapter 5, paragraph 1, quoted in Alonzo T. Jones' The Two Republics, page 334

Read Full Post>>

Church Child Porn Raid

Tony Alamo Christian Ministries was raided by 100 state officers & FBI agents. This was due to the child abuse investigation where the children have been physically or sexually abused. “It is a hoax! They’re just trying to make our church look evil…by saying I’m a pornographer. Saying that I rape little children…I love children. I don’t abuse them. Never have. Never will” said Alamo. This case is still under investigation. Tony Alamo is a controversial Evangelist. Among the controversial beliefs are, the Pope was actually behind the massacre of 6 million Jews, Pope is an anti-Christ many more which can be viewed here. Many Christian sects have categorized this ministries a cult. There are more news about Tony Alamo and his ministries here and here.

VIDEO FROM YOUTUBE

Read Full Post>>

The Orchard Of Mr.Yusof

Today I’m much more preferred to share you a story. Well, I’m not a good story teller. But just want to share a story that you will find familiar. This is just my own creation of story, so I will not guarantee a good plot:p.

Mr. Yusof is an accountant who lives at the southern province of Malaysia. As an accountant, he is very busy during the weekdays. So, during weekend, he will spend his time at home with his son, Isa. Mr. Yusuf owns an orchard. When weekend, he will visits his orchard and clean it. It is very beautiful orchard and there are many types of trees and fruits. One day a young couple comes to Mr. Yusof orchard. The man’s name is Adam and the woman’s name is Hawa. As a very kind and friendly person, Mr. Yusof welcomes the couple to get into his orchard.

The couple comes from University of Putra, Malaysia. Both of them are students in agriculture. So they come to Mr. Yusof’s orchard to do research for their assignment. Mr Yusof says to them: “Welcome to my orchard. You may do your research for the assignment. You also can taste any fruit if there is a need. But I hope you will not come near to this Apple tree”. Mr Yusof is pointing at the tree. “Do not come near to the tree and do not eat the Apple fruit. This tree was planted by my late wife. So I just want to look it grow and full of Apples. I hope both of you can respect it”, said Mr. Yusof to them. Both of them agree with the condition.

So Mr. Yusof goes back to his house and leaves the couple at the orchard. After three hours Mr. Yusof comes back to the orchard and find out the couple is eating Apple from the tree he said before. Mr. Yusof is angry and chases both of them out from his orchard. The couple is sad and feels guilty, but it is too late. Then, both of them leave the orchard.

Months later, the couple comes to meet Mr. Yusof back. They still feel guilty, and they want to ask for forgiveness. They arrive at Mr. Yusof’s house and knock the door. Mr. Yusof opens the door and look both of them are standing in front of him. Mr. Yusof says to them: “What does both of you want?!” asked Mr. Yusof. “We want to seek you forgiveness”, says Adam. “I’m still angry with both of you. But I’m not a cruel person either. I just can’t simply forgive you, just like that!” replied Mr.Yusof.

“What shall we do so that we can be forgiven by you?” Mr. Yusof reply, “I know both of you are a good persons, but you’ve sinned in my sight. The only way I can forgive you is…you must kill my only son, only then I can forgive you”. Because the couple wants the forgiveness, they need to kill Isa, so that they will be forgiven. After they killed Isa, they go to meet Mr. Yusof. Mr. Yusof says, “Now you’re forgiven! Thank you for killing my son, so that I can forgive you. Thank you very much!” Now the couple is happy because they are forgiven by Mr. Yusof after they killed his son. By the way…Mr. Yusof also is happy because Adam and Hawa now are forgiven ;)

NOTE: If this story sounds familiar, then you’ve got what I want to say ;)

Read Full Post>>

Explaining The Unexplained

Two days ago I have received my order from Amazon.com. I prefer to buy book at Amazon.com since the price is cheaper compared to buy it at the bookshop such as The Borders. I have bought two books, 1) Introducing Christian Doctrine by Millard J. Erickson and 2) The Brother of Jesus & The Lost Teaching of Christianity by Jeffrey J. Butz. The first book explains all the teaching of Christian Doctrine for example, Sin, The Works of Christ, The Nature of Christ, Trinity and many more. The book is one of the best to explain the Christian Doctrine. So I hope at least it can explain to me in details about Trinity since Trinity is the hardest doctrine to understand in Christianity. But at the conclusion of the topic, the writer wrote ‘As someone has said of this doctrine’:

Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind; But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul.

Is that the conclusion of the topic? From page 106 to page 115 the writer try to explain Trinity then the conclusion is just like that! In other words the writer tries to explain Trinity, but the writer also has warned us, if someone tries to explain Trinity, it will make that person becomes crazy. No need to do anything to explain Trinity, just accept it, otherwise you will lose your soul. Is it sounding so dogmatic and not objective? How if the doctrine of Trinity is wrong? Why God that is Most Knowledgeable and Most Wisdom make this confusing thing? I’m not questioning the form of God, since we cannot see God which also mention in the Bible, but I’m questioning the concept of Trinity. Why is it so hard to understand this concept? If the Trinity is true, don’t you think that God have the ability to make it much easier to understand than make it so confusing and ‘MYSTERY’?

Read Full Post>>