Trinity SundayTrinity Sunday

Trinitarian Experience of GodTrinitarian Experience of God

Church AlmanacChurch Almanac

SeasonsSeasons

1.1. AdventAdvent

2.2. ChristmasChristmas

3.3. EpiphanyEpiphany

4.4. LentLent

5.5. EasterEaster

6.6. PentecostPentecost

DaysDays

1.1. Easter + 40 = Easter + 40 = AscensionAscension

2.2. Easter + 50 = Easter + 50 = PentecostPentecost

3.3. Easter + 57 = Easter + 57 =

Trinity SundayTrinity Sunday

SpiritualitySpirituality

TRANSCENDENCETRANSCENDENCE Above our intellectAbove our intellect Beyond our understandingBeyond our understanding Unable to fathomUnable to fathom

Creator GodCreator God Death of Son of GodDeath of Son of God Descending of the Holy Descending of the Holy

SpiritSpirit

IMMANENCEIMMANENCE IntelligibleIntelligible Could be experiencedCould be experienced MeasurableMeasurable

Pillar of fire and cloudPillar of fire and cloud Historical Jesus bound by Historical Jesus bound by

space & timespace & time Holy Spirit as a doveHoly Spirit as a dove

Some Symbolic Representations of Some Symbolic Representations of the term ‘Trinity’the term ‘Trinity’

Illustration from Nature -1Illustration from Nature -1

LIGHTLIGHT

Rays of HeatRays of Heat

Rays of ChemicalsRays of Chemicals

Rays of LightRays of Light

Limitation:Limitation:

Cannot be separatedCannot be separated

Illustration from Nature - 2Illustration from Nature - 2

WATERWATER

Ice (solid)Ice (solid)

Water (liquid)Water (liquid)

Steam (vapour)Steam (vapour)

Limitation:Limitation:

Certain quantity will be in only Certain quantity will be in only one form at a given one form at a given conditioncondition

Illustration from Nature - 3 Illustration from Nature - 3

PLANTPLANT

Shamrock (White Clover)Shamrock (White Clover)

Trifolium RepensTrifolium Repens

Illustration used by St. Patrick Illustration used by St. Patrick

to explain “Trinity”to explain “Trinity”

Limitation:Limitation:

Single unit,Single unit,

cannot function separately.cannot function separately.

Facts regarding the doctrineFacts regarding the doctrine

The term ‘Trinity’ is not found in the Scripture.The term ‘Trinity’ is not found in the Scripture. First used by the Church Father First used by the Church Father

Tertullian (A.D. 145-220)Tertullian (A.D. 145-220) Received wide currency and formal elucidation only Received wide currency and formal elucidation only

in the 4in the 4thth & 5 & 5thth centuries. centuries. In spite of the present day Christian Wisdom, it still In spite of the present day Christian Wisdom, it still

remains a “remains a “mysterium tremendummysterium tremendum” ” The doctrine does not contradict the view of The doctrine does not contradict the view of

monotheism.monotheism.

The Basis for the DoctrineThe Basis for the Doctrine

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17)1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17)

2. The Baptismal Formula (Matt. 28:19)2. The Baptismal Formula (Matt. 28:19)

3. The Benediction Formula (II Cor. 13:14)3. The Benediction Formula (II Cor. 13:14)

4. The Creation of Humankind (Gen. 1:26)4. The Creation of Humankind (Gen. 1:26)

The Trinity acting in UnityThe Trinity acting in Unity

I.I. In CreationIn Creation

F. F. Spoke (Gen. 1:3)Spoke (Gen. 1:3)S.S. The Word Spoken (Jn. 1:1)The Word Spoken (Jn. 1:1)HS.HS. Moved upon the face of watersMoved upon the face of waters

(Gen 1:2)(Gen 1:2)

The Trinity acting in UnityThe Trinity acting in Unity

2. In Incarnation2. In Incarnation

F.F. Gave His only Son (Jn. 3:16)Gave His only Son (Jn. 3:16)

S.S. Born into the world (Lk. 2:11)Born into the world (Lk. 2:11)

HS.HS. Caused Mary to conceive (Lk. 1:35)Caused Mary to conceive (Lk. 1:35)

The Trinity acting in UnityThe Trinity acting in Unity

3. In Redemption3. In Redemption

F. Accepted the Sacrifice on Calvary F. Accepted the Sacrifice on Calvary (Heb. 9:14)(Heb. 9:14)

S. Offered Himself as a substitute S. Offered Himself as a substitute (Heb. 9:14)(Heb. 9:14)

HS. Offering was through the HS. Offering was through the Eternal SpiritEternal Spirit (Heb. 9:14)(Heb. 9:14)

Attributes of God & TrinityAttributes of God & Trinity

AttributeAttribute FF SS HS HS

EternalEternal Ps. 90:2 Ps. 90:2 Rev. 1:8,17 Heb. 9:14Rev. 1:8,17 Heb. 9:14

HolinessHoliness Rev.15:4Rev.15:4 Acts 3:14Acts 3:14 Lk. 1:15 Lk. 1:15

TruthTruth Jn. 7:28Jn. 7:28 Rev. 3:7Rev. 3:7 1 Jn. 5:6 1 Jn. 5:6

CommunionCommunion 1 Jn.1:31 Jn.1:3 1 Jn.1:31 Jn.1:3 2 2 Cor.13:14Cor.13:14

What ‘Trinity’ is NOTWhat ‘Trinity’ is NOT

Trinity (1x1x1=1) is not an equivalent of Trinity (1x1x1=1) is not an equivalent of brahma-vishnu-maheswara brahma-vishnu-maheswara concept concept (1+1+1=3)(1+1+1=3)

No Godhead in Trinity is bound to any space No Godhead in Trinity is bound to any space or age (O.T. - F ; Gospel. - S ; Following or age (O.T. - F ; Gospel. - S ; Following period - HS)period - HS)

Triune God does not hold any hierarchyTriune God does not hold any hierarchy(“…with the Father and the Son he is (“…with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.” - Nicene Creed)worshiped and glorified.” - Nicene Creed)

Relevance of the doctrine for the Relevance of the doctrine for the Faith journey Faith journey

More than analysing the Doctrine, let us in More than analysing the Doctrine, let us in humility accept the TRIUNE GOD in Faith humility accept the TRIUNE GOD in Faith andand

live a meaningful life for our CREATOR, live a meaningful life for our CREATOR,

imitating IMMANUEL in all our ways, imitating IMMANUEL in all our ways, trusting only in the power and guidance of the trusting only in the power and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT. HOLY SPIRIT.