The Trinity

Last night our Wine, Women, and Word Bible Study met. We just began a new study on the popular book The Shack. Maybe you’ve read it or seen the movie. If not, I highly recommend it! I came out in 2007 while I was in seminary. At the time I was taking a class called systematic theology. I didn’t like the class very much because in my opinion, there were too many choices. My thought had been I would go to seminary and they would help me formulate my personal theology… which is how I think about God. I guess I was expecting the professor to say, “Here’s what Lutheran’s believe about…”. But he didn’t. Instead, he gave us several options on different points of our belief. Topics like salvation, end times and the like. It was then up to us to formulate our own thoughts.

One of the topics was the Trinity. God in three persons. God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. As you are probably aware, the concept of the Trinity is a difficult one to grasp. How can God be three, yet one? There are many theories and explanations out there that have been introduced by greater theologians than I will ever be. But the point was for me to formulate my own opinion. That’s where the book The Shack comes in. I am what is called a kinesthetic learner. I learn by doing and touching. For example, I took copious notes in class, but I never went back and read them to study for an exam. The act of writing the notes cemented them in my memory to be recalled later. So, for me, reading The Shack was the same thing as being right there in the middle of the story. It’s as if I were experiencing exactly what the main character Mack was experiencing. Mack experienced God in three distinct persons. Each had a different personality and task and related to Mack differently. But there was no doubt they were one in purpose.

That was so helpful for me to understand the Trinity. Now, I relate to each person of the three-in-one very differently. When I need comfort or wisdom, I relate to God. When I’m struggling with my humanness, I relate to Jesus because he understands what it is to be human. And when I need direction or clarity, I relate to the Holy Spirit as my guide. But what works for me, might not work for you. So, I encourage you to think about how you see the three-in-one. The Holy Trinity. No matter how you see it, God is there…always.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Lu