Question for everyone other than Madeline Bassett. Doesn't the trinity concept seem rather silly?

Question

I'd be curious to know your opinion. Best answer get the points and a trip to Panama with me!

Answer 1

Don't you think the stars are God's daisy chain?

(I'm just pretending to be Ltd Data aka Meerkatz)

Answer 2

I'd rather not go to Panama, thanks. Too many snakes and mosquitoes for my liking. But I'll still give the question a shot.

There's actually a lot of stuff that appears silly in the Bible. The most amazingly silly thing is why God loves us, so much so, that He sent Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins.

As to the Trinity, there are so many references that demonstrate the concept, that it must be true. Allow me to break down the argument in individual pieces.

1. Is Jesus God?

There are many times where Jesus said of Himself that He was God. He applied the name of God, "I AM," to Himself in several passages. Here's a few examples: Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50, Mark 13:6, Luke 21:8, John 4:26, John 6:20, John 8:24, 28, 58, and John 13:19. There are several others I have not listed. Besides this, Jesus said that He & the Father were one (John 10:30). This describes a unity, even though there are two. (Note, the I AM passages I referred to are from the Greek, as the English translations often mistranslate I AM for "It is I" or "I am He," to allow for readability.)

Further, Jesus received worship, which is only for God:

"Then the men in the boat began to worship Jesus, saying, "You certainly are the Son of God!" (Matthew 14:33)

"Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" They went up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him." (Matthew 28:9)

"They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." (Luke 24:52)

"He said, "Lord, I do believe," and worshiped him." (John 9:38)

"I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying, "To the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever!" Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!", and the elders bowed down and worshiped." (Revelation 5:13-14)

Lastly, Jesus forgave sins. The Pharisees were correct when they asked, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7) And yet Jesus did that several times.

2. Is the Holy Spirit God?

The Holy Spirit is eternal (Hebrews 9:14), just as the Son and Father are. Another shared attribute is holiness. Only God is truly holy. The Father is holy (Revelation 15:4), and so is the Spirit (Acts 1:8). Lastly, The Holy Spirit was at creation. (Genesis 1:2)

3. Is the Father God?

"Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me." (John 8:54)

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 1:6)

Now, since each of these persons have the same attributes, and are yet God, then the doctrine of the Trinity must be true, regardless of its apparent "silliness."

Answer 3

No. What I think gets everyone tripped up is they think the trinity says that 3 Gods are 1 God or that three Persons are 1 Person. It's 3 Persons = 1 God. Not really that much more difficult to understand than 3 feet = 1 yard.

Answer 4

No way I'm going to Panama in the foreseeable future. So not to worry.

But putting that aside: No, not silly. More like awesome, in the pre-slang sense.

The Catholic Church declares the Trinity a "mystery," defined as a revealed truth that human reason CANNOT get entirely over, under, around, or thru. Most definitely meets that definition.

Answer 5

Egad. I hope I don't get best answer, then.

There are FAR sillier religious concepts.

Like the concept that a purely male principle created a universe in which it is largely required to have both male and female to continue life.

Answer 6

Even we Christians (Catholics) admit that it is not within our intellect/powers of reason, to fully understand the concept. However, we accept it on faith because it does not go against our powers of reason. Three natures for one omnipotent being is not impossible. It is, however, a bit complicated and involved so If you're studying Christianity, I would recommend starting somewhere else, and coming back to that one once you have a more firm foundation. Hopefully this answer satisfies you for now.

Answer 7

Not if you understand the need for people to be able to identify with different aspects of God.

Answer 8

Of course.

The Trinity thing came about as a way of deliberately stultifying the intellect with an irrational concept. "Certum est, quia impossibile," said Tertullian: "It is certain because it is impossible," referring to the Resurrection; but it applies here as well.

Answer 9

If Jesus,god and the holy spirit are one and the same and the bible teaches that god impregnated Mary through the holy spirit then it follows that Jesus impregnated his own mother.
So yes,it is a silly concept

Answer 10

Very. It makes me think of God as a Chimera, with three heads and a weird tail.

Jesus talks to God on the cross. God is Jesus' father. God impregnated Mary to have... himself? Jesus died and was resurrected. Who did this to him? Himself? Wait I thought he was dead.

This is a weak weak weak philosophy if supported by writings and stories in the bible. Someone who was writing it was clearly doing acid at the time.