Christians, how can salvation be found in a concept that Augustine called 'irrational', namely the trinity?

Question

Augustine said that the trinity is irrational as it cannot be understood (although he did still believe in it)

Answer 1

I don't think salvation can be found in the trinity.
Historian Arthur Weigall notes: “Jesus Christ never mentioned such a phenomenon, and nowhere in the New Testament does the word ‘Trinity’ appear. The idea was only adopted by the Church three hundred years after the death of our Lord.”—The Paganism in Our Christianity
In the book A Statement of Reasons, Andrews Norton says of the Trinity: “We can trace the history of this doctrine, and discover its source, not in the Christian revelation, but in the Platonic philosophy . . . The Trinity is not a doctrine of Christ and his Apostles, but a fiction of the school of the later Platonists.”

Answer 2

When I took a Western Thought class, the professor always said, "All of theology is but a footnote on Augustine!"

The theology of Christianity has changed a lot. Augustine up to Aquinas to Luther, but most Christians don't study their religion that extensively. Most probably don't know about the early debates about the 2 natures of Christ, the disputes on the trinity, or the discussion about when their God determined (double) predestination, and what that entitles. (For a long time it was believed that everyone was predetermined to go to Heaven, but the debate was only if it occurred before or after the fall.)

In summation: I think that Christians remain Christians because they probably don't know who Augustine is, let alone all of the theological arguments and changes that have occurred over the last 2000 years.

Answer 3

Ah, some things that are bigger than the human mind cannot be "rationalized." I personally am thankful that the world is full of things that human beings cannot explain to me; if the concepts of life were limited to the human capacity to understand and rationalize them, their meanings would certainly lack depth. That's why, even though to the ways of the world the trinity is irrational, man continues to believe.

Answer 4

The vast majority of the religious themes in the bible are irrational, but they still claim that it's all "truth." So it's really not surprising that they believe in the trinity.

I just find it hilarious that it's a purely Christian invention (the Jews and the Muslims don't believe in it, and there's no real biblical support for it) yet even they can't seem to explain it. They just have "faith" that it's true.

Answer 5

I believe in many things I don't understand by faith alone and I do believe in the Holy Trinity. Many things spiritual are irrational, but as I said, it depends on your faith.

Answer 6

This question (which is a very good question) cannot be answered in one post - I have a site that explains the Bible:

For more information on the Bible
go to http://www.johnfourteen.com
"Studies in the Bible" - complete Bible Study
"Lessons from the Pulpit" - Sermons on today's topics

Answer 7

I like Pelagius better than Augustine. To me he made more sense.

Answer 8

Mans mind cannot comprehend the logic of Gods mind.... so dont even try! You either believe or you don't.

Answer 9

Salvation is not found in our own understanding, but in allowing God's Spirit to enter us and teach us.

Proverbs 3:1-7

"My son, forget not my law;
but let thine heart keep my commandments:


2 for length of days, and long life,
and peace, shall they add to thee.


3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck;
write them upon the table of thine heart:


4 so shalt thou find favor and good understanding
in the sight of God and man.


5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.


6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.


7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.


"

Answer 10

We are finite. God is infinite.

The finite (us) can not understand the infinite (God) fully.