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The Trinity

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by LeBuick, Aug 28, 2007.

  1. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    This Sunday a preacher analogized the Trinity to an egg. You have the white, yoke and shell. All independent yet co-dependent for an egg to be an egg.

    Have you heard this?
    What do you think of this analogy?
     
    #1 LeBuick, Aug 28, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2007
  2. standingfirminChrist

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    I have heard it. Good analogy.

    Also water can be used.

    Water solidified - ice - Son
    Water in regular form - water - Father
    Water in evaporation - steam. - Holy Spirit

    Trinity in water
     
  3. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Sproul put it like this,

    God is one in essence,
    but three in Person.

    I've heard of "3 leaves, but one shamrock"
     
  4. TomMann

    TomMann New Member

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    I've used the sun.... equating the physical burning mass as the Father, the light as the Son, and the warmth as the Holy Spirit.
     
  5. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    One guy I heard a few years ago used himself. He said to his Mother he was a Son, to his Child he was a Father, and to his associates he was a friend. Yet he was one person.
     
  6. Brother Bob

    Brother Bob New Member

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    I think its a good analogy Lebuick, get the point across anyway.
     
  7. Andy T.

    Andy T. Active Member

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    I like the egg analogy better than the water analogy, because the water analogy conveys the idea of mere "manifestations" of God (i.e., modalism) rather than 3 distinct persons of God. Same with the "I'm a son, husband and father" analogy. However, the egg analogy is good because it shows the distinction between the persons of the God-head: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

    All analogies on the Trinity break down at some point, though.
     
  8. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    Some very good analogies on the Triune God!

    Couple of more analogies:

    I once had a professor who held up three pieces of chalk in his hand.
    He took one and said "This is chalk."
    He held up the second and said, This is chalk."
    He held up the third and said, "This is chalk."
    He then held up all three pieces together and said, "This is chalk."

    Another is the use of the hand.

    Holding up my outstretched, upturned hand, I touch my thumb a few times and say, "This is my hand."
    Touching my forefinger a few times I'll say, "This is my hand."
    Touching my middle finger a few times, I'll say, "This is my hand."
    Then, closing my fingers together, I touch my palm a few times and say, "This is my hand."

    Jkdbuck 76 is correct when he says, however, all analogies do break down at some point, and also when he says that God is one in essence, while three in personality.

    I have heard a good statement, in the past, made by the late Rev. John Dick, as to the Trinity, but cannot recall the exact wording, at the minute, so will not atttempt to quote it, lest I misquote it. I just a few minutes ago found a link to a photo reprint of his Lectures on Theology, which I will post here, and in fact, will be ordering a copy of this for myself, being as it is to be had at half off, for the next week, or so.

    http://www.swrb.com/pcopy/pcD.htm

    And I personally like and occasionally will quote this excerpt from the Athanasian Creed, as to the nature of God, as well. In fact, I have quoted it before on the BB.
    Ed
     
  9. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    I was just talking to my 11th grade Bible class about this this AM. I used the egg and water anaologies. Thanks for the rest - this is going to be very useful.
     
  10. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Here's my understanding of the Trinity:

    1. The Trinity is three persons in one.

    2. Each person is equally God, yet one.

    3. Therefore, there is no co-dependence for the Trinity to be.

    4. There's simply no Scripture to that effect.

    Now, if the egg analogy fits that definition, then it flies. But this egg analogy must be scrambled.
     
  11. Servent

    Servent Member

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    I don't think it is when you have them all together you have one egg, but if you separate them they are no longer one you have three separate parts,
    God the Father
    God the Son
    God the Holy Spirit
    Separate them you still have one God.
     
  12. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    One question I ask to a new Sunday School class of early to mid teens is which came first, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Some of the answers has let me know it is time to start at the very beginning.
     
  13. EdSutton

    EdSutton New Member

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    Cute, TCGreek! :thumbs:

    Ed
     
  14. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
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    Yeah, but, that wouldn't work either...cause "normally" (won't go into wife's cooking) you'd leave out the shell. :type:
     
  15. Brother Bob

    Brother Bob New Member

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    Well LeBuick; when asking this group, its like going to the emergency room and you start out with a tooth ache, but by the time they are through with you they are taking one of your legs off............. :laugh:
     
  16. npetreley

    npetreley New Member

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    Wives cook?

    (No, I'm not married, but I used to be...)
     
  17. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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    I thought I was over thinking this analogy. My thinking was along your lines.

    If you separate the yoke you no longer have an egg. You have a yoke. Or if you empty out the shell you no longet have an egg, you have egg shell.

    I pondered this for two days now, I had believed the entities of the Godhead could not co-exist on earth at the same time. This was why Jesus said;

    John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

    But here we seem to see the Trinity all present together;

    Mk 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

    Why did Jesus say he had to go?
    Why does Jesus say "but if I depart I WILL SEND him unto you?"
    What does Jn 16:8 mean by the spirit will reprove the world of sin?
     
  18. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    Well, you know what they say!

    Don't put all your eggs in one basket! :tongue3:
     
  19. Bible-boy

    Bible-boy Active Member

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    Like brother Andy said back on page one all analogies applied to the Trinity break down at some point. Therefore, I do not use them at all when I talk about the subject. Just stick to the Scriptures where God has revealed Himself and His Triune nature.
     
  20. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    There's a verse in Isaiah that clearly presents the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but I can't remember it for the life of me.

    Do any of you remember?
     
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