Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going to tackle a topic that’s a bit heady but absolutely essential to our faith: the doctrine of the Trinity. Now, before your eyes glaze over and you start thinking about what’s for lunch, I promise to keep this as engaging and straightforward as possible. Plus, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
We Lutherans pride ourselves on being confessional, meaning we stick to the core truths of our faith as articulated in the ancient creeds. The Creeds are just theological summaries of what centuries of Christians have repeatedly affirmed that the Bible teaches.
The creeds are useful in that they serve as “theological guardrails”. That means they save us both from outright heresy as well as from the arduous task of having each generation figure out from scratch what the Bible teaches. One of the most profound and perhaps less familiar creeds is the Athanasian Creed. So let’s dive into what it says about the Trinity and how we can talk about it (i.e. confess it) without falling into the usual pitfalls.
Understanding the Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed is one of the three ecumenical creeds we embrace, along with the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. It dates back to around the 5th or 6th century. And while its origins are a bit murky, it’s named after Athanasius, a defender of Trinitarian orthodoxy.
The creed starts with a strong statement: “Whoever wants to be saved should above all cling to the catholic faith.” Now, before you start thinking we’ve turned into Roman Catholics, let me clarify. The term “catholic” here simply means “universal” – it refers to the universal Christian faith, not the Roman Catholic Church (not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you).
The Athanasian Creed goes on to give a detailed description of the Trinity, emphasizing the unity of God’s essence and the distinctiveness of the three persons. In plain terms, it tells us that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each fully God, sharing the same divine essence, yet they are distinct in their persons and roles. This is where the mystery starts to come out. Humans do not exist this way. We are each one being, one mind, one substance (the stuff we’re made of). But, not so when it comes to the Trinity. With The Trinity, One God, one substance, THREE- PERSONS!
The Interdependent Relationship within the Trinity
Here’s where things get interesting. The Athanasian Creed describes the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as having an interdependent relationship. They’re not three separate gods but one God in three persons, each with specific roles and responsibilities, but the same substance. And this is where the concept of “rightly confessing” comes in. Simply put, it means getting our talk about the Trinity straight without tripping over our theological feet.
The Father is unbegotten (never been born, but always existing), the Son is begotten of the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds (yet another word distinct from unbegotten and begotten) from the Father and the Son. Weird, right?
Stick with me here! There’s no hierarchy, just a beautiful, mutual submission and cooperation in their divine tasks. For example, the Father initiates creation, the Son carries out the creative act, and the Holy Spirit sustains creation. More on that a bit later.
Common Fallacies and Heresies
When we try to explain the Trinity, we often reach for analogies, and that’s where we can get into trouble. Let’s look at two common ones:
- The Three-Leaf Clover Analogy: Attributed to St. Patrick, this analogy compares the Trinity to a three-leaf clover, where each leaf represents one person of the Trinity. While it sounds clever, it leads to the fallacy of Partialism, suggesting that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are parts of God rather than each being fully God.
- The Water Analogy:This analogy compares the Trinity to water, which can exist as liquid, ice, and steam. This one falls into the heresy of Modalism, implying that God simply manifests Himself in three different modes or forms, rather than being three distinct persons.
Instead of these imperfect analogies, let’s stick to the language of the Athanasian Creed. It affirms that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each uncreated, infinite, and eternal. They are almighty and fully God, yet there are not three gods but one God.
Practical Application for Our Lives
Now, let’s bring this down to earth. Understanding the Trinity isn’t just a theological exercise; it’s vital for our daily walk with God. Here are some practical applications:
- Worship and Prayer: Our worship is Trinitarian. We pray to the Father, through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. For instance, when we say, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” we’re recognizing each person of the Trinity. Next time you pray, think about how each person of the Trinity is involved in your life and thank them specifically, by name.
- Relationship and Community: The Trinity’s interdependent relationship is a model for our relationships in the church. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in mutual love and submission, we are called to live in community, supporting and serving one another. Imagine a church potluck where everyone brings their best dish and helps set up and clean up. That’s a little glimpse of how we can reflect the Trinity in our community life.
- Mission and Evangelism: The Trinity’s work in creation, redemption, and sanctification motivates our mission. We are sent by the Father, empowered by the Spirit, to proclaim the gospel of the Son. Think about how you can share your faith with a neighbor or co-worker, knowing that the Trinity is working through you. It’s not just you doing the talking; it’s the whole Godhead backing you up!
- Assurance and Comfort: The doctrine of the Trinity gives us assurance and comfort in our salvation. The Father’s love, the Son’s sacrifice, and the Spirit’s indwelling presence assure us of God’s commitment to us. Next time you’re feeling anxious or uncertain, remember that the entire Trinity is actively involved in your life, working for your good.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The Athanasian Creed helps us “rightly confess” the Trinity, steering clear of those dodgy analogies and heresies. It affirms the interdependent relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God and each playing a unique role in our salvation.
As we embrace this confession, let’s allow it to shape our worship, relationships, mission, and daily walk with God. By doing so, we honor the Triune God and experience the fullness of His presence and power in our lives.
Let’s continue to grow in our understanding and confession of the Trinity, living out its implications with faithfulness and joy. And remember, while it might seem a bit heady, it’s all about experiencing and sharing the love of our amazing God.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Mark
P.S. For a more complete statement of faith from the NALC, click here: https://thenalc.org/confession-of-faith/
P.P.S For a copy of the Athanasian creed (also can be found in your Lutheran Book of Worship), click here: https://lutheranconfessions.org/boc/ecumenical-creeds/athanasian-creed/
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