Continuing with the exploration and reflection through a series of articles written in a conversational language about Catholicism, about God, about Jesus, about the Church and many other faith related topics. Here we present:
Question 26 – Do Christians believe in one God or in three gods?
Christians believe in Jesus*. They call him ‘Son of God’*. Jesus, the Son, teaches who God the Father* is. In turn, the Holy Spirit* makes it possible to believe in the Father and the Son.. But do Christians believe in one God or in three gods?
Christians believe in one God, just like Jews* and Muslims. What is specific about Christians – and different from Jews and Muslims – is that they believe that in the one divine nature there are three persons: God is three-one. How is this possible? Isn’t this a contradiction? God is Father, Son and Spirit at the same time. Each of the three divine persons is completely God and at the same time completely different from the others. Just like every human being is completely human and yet unique, with the difference that there is only one God and many people.
The Bible* does not explicitly speak about the Trinity. Yet from the story of creation* on you see traces of diversity in the one God. God is love. So he cannot be lonely. In him there is diversity and connectedness. God-Father gives life to God-Son. God-Son receives the life of God-Father and entrusts himself entirely to him. Love is giving and receiving. Love is exchange. God-Spirit is the love that exists between Father and Son.
Can you really understand the Trinity? Augustine (CE 354–430) is known for his vast learning. While writing a book about the Trinity he once walked along the beach. There he saw a child pouring seawater into a hole with a shell. Augustine asked the child what he was doing and he answered that he wanted to pour the sea into that hole. Of course that is not possible. Then Augustine understood why his work of writing was so difficult. Understanding the Trinity is as impossible as what that child was trying to do.
– Do you relate to Augustine or do you find the Trinity easy to understand?
– Does faith in the Trinity help you to better understand the mystery of God?
Feel free to leave your thoughts, reflections or comments below.
Watch this space! Coming up: Question 27 – When did Christianity begin?
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If you wish to learn more about this resource follow this link “52 Questions and Answers about faith”
About the author:
Nikolaas Sintobin, SJ, joined the Society of Jesus in 1989, following a short career as a lawyer. He was trained as a Jesuit in Brussels, Paris, and Santiago de Chile. Today he is a spiritual director who is keenly interested in online ministry and discovering new ways to help people find God.
This text is republished with the permission of Messenger Publications, Ireland. To buy a hard copy of the book click here.
