Matthew 28:16-20
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Psalm 8

I am not certain of the source of this quotation which I found copied in the May 2005 issue of Synthesis magazine. I think it demonstrates the confusion that exists surrounding this topic.

Jesus said, "Who do men say that I am?"

And His disciples answered and said, "Some say you are John the Baptist returned from the dead; others say Elias, or another of the old prophets."

And Jesus answered and said, "But who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered and said, "Thou art the logos, existing in the Father as His rationality and then, by an act of His will, being generated, in consideration of the various functions by which God is related to His creation, but only on the fact that Scripture speaks of a Father, and a Son, and a Holy Spirit, each member of the Trinity being co-equal with every other member, and each acting inseparably with and interpenetrating every other member, with only an economic subordination within God, but causing no division which would make the substance no longer simple."

And Jesus answering said, "What?"

And, we say the same thing. Many of the explanations of the Trinity get so convoluted that theologians who create them don't even understand what they are saying.

Let me attempt another approach. God indeed is one. We do not follow a God with multiple personality disorder. It is fair to say that God wants to be known. God also wants us to understand the purpose of Creation and particularly our own purpose. In Hamlet William Shakespeare has the character say, " ... to thine own self be true."

The Trinitarian formula comes from God being true to who God is — one who wants to be known and who wants to be in relationship. Scripture reveals this to us. In the beginning God acts in love and in revealing the nature of God by creating that which is perfect and is in perfect harmony as well. In both Creation stories in Genesis we hear of the breath, the wind or the Spirit of God being that which brings life. In Genesis 2:7 we read, "Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being."

We also read that the Word was present at Creation. It is the Word through which all things were created. The Word later became flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:1–14) However; I don't want to get ahead of myself.

In the perfect relationship between God and humans and all of Creation the condition was that as long as the relationship remained perfect there would be eternal life. This was designed in order that the relationships would be maintained and that the nature of God would be revealed, understood and enjoyed.

However, the creatures made in the image of God violated the relationship; and while they continued their physical lives, the eternal breath was taken from them leaving them separated from God and facing an inevitable death.

In spite of this, God continued to remain true to God's own nature. Hence God continued to look for ways to be in relationship with Creation and particularly the creatures made in God's image. However, humans continued to use their personal freedom of choice to reject God's offerings. Also, the creatures had nothing of their own with which they could make proper restitution to God for having marred perfection.

Enter the second person of the Godhead. This same God who created the universe now creates life in a woman by the same Spirit that was used in the beginning. The Spirit of God created a human form for God in the person of Jesus. Jesus comes to reveal the true nature of God and the true nature of those created in God's image. Through His teachings and His activities Jesus shares this revelation. But He shares much more. He shares the oneness with the Father and the Spirit that God wants to experience with us.

Once again humanity chose to reject God's offer by putting Jesus to death. However, the life breath or Spirit of God was fully in Jesus. Since Jesus had never broken relationship with God this Spirit remained in Him and according to God's original covenant death could not lay a permanent claim to Jesus. God's love overcame the power of death. But God was not finished.

Because God loves us so perfectly and still wants the relationship of oneness with us God declares that because of Jesus' obedience God will forgive and forget our many times of choosing to ignore God. In fact God will give the Spirit of life to anyone who truly seeks it and asks for it in the name of Jesus. In doing so the person is acknowledging their separateness from God and their desire to have the oneness and the life God offers.

Now we see the third way God reveals the Divine nature and love for us. God will give us the Divine Spirit because Jesus asked for this for us and also because God loves us. Jesus is now at the right hand of God working on our behalf. But the Spirit is with us and within us.

The Spirit gives us gifts which enable us to live the life God desires for us. The Spirit continues to help us understand God. The Spirit attempts to keep us moving in the proper direction as long as we desire and choose to do so. The Spirit interprets our human thoughts to God and in turn interprets God's Holy thoughts for us. The Spirit brings God's comfort to us when we in faith come to God.

My earthly Father was aware of my existence before I was born. He, along with my mother, had a part in creating me and in many ways I am very much like him both in good and bad ways. After my birth my earthly Father made several sacrifices on my behalf to insure my best interest. He attempted to teach me both by word and example. My earthly Father died seven years ago this week. However, the spirit of my earthly father will be with me as long as I live. I do not have several earthly fathers; I have only one. I just know him in different ways. For me, God is also one but is revealed and known in different ways.