Comments for The Trinity Made More Intelligible at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sun, 26 May 2013 05:00:02 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5768 I was actually thinking of the Son before his incarnation, as in: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him ..." followed by "Et incarnatus est" which needed the earlier context to be understandable. But I do agree my comment seemed ridiculous without this explanation. I had thought that Mohammed did not have this frame of reference. - Bangwell Putt Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:05:53 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5767 Not to be flippant, but years ago someone (I think a priest actually) likened the Trinity to 3-in-1 Oil. "Lubricates, cleans and prevents rust," the front of the can says. On the back, it says, "has hundreds of uses." Another possible oversimplified analogy but easy-to-understand explanation lies in the nature of water: It can take the form of liquid, ice or steam (but it's essential characteristic, as H2O. is unchanged). Still, I've often struggled with Jesus saying such things as, "The father is greater than I." and "I go to my God and your God," and elsewhere in Scripture where Father and Son do not seem to be equally divine. The Trinity remains a stumbling block when one tries to discern it theologically, but less so when simple analogies as mentioned above are employed. - Grump Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:11:51 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5766 Dear Bangwell Putt, Whatever are you talking about? When the Second Person of the Trinity was Incarnated it was as a male, the literal Son of God. What "horrific conseqeunces for humankind" could result from that? Who came back and told you that the locution "Son" was only "mystical"? - Thomas C. Coleman, Jr. Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:36:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5765 Superb article. The issue of the unity of God grounds the notion of Son but also the notion of community and love. The human analogs have their divine analogs. - Fr. Bevil Bramwell OMI Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:56:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5764 To Nicholas Voss: The Bible is full of analogies for God -- as Shepherd, as Bridegroom, as divine Wisdom personified as female (in the book of Wisdom in Catholic bibles), etc. These are aids to our meditations. St. John of the Cross and other mystics speak of types of infused contemplation which transcend all images, but when we are not in that state, analogies can be helpful. - Howard Kainz Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:52:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5763 I do not believe we should attempt to understand the Trinity using analogies of nature. By doing so, one is led down the path of modalism or some other heresy. We believe the Trinity because the Bible teaches that a) There is One God; 2) The Father is God; 3) The Son is God; 4) The Spirit is God; and 5) These Three Who are called God is three distinct Persons (singular verb intended). Once you have decided in your own mind that the Bible's revelation is the Word of God and is therefore true and infallible and inerrant, then you easily find that the Trinity is understandable. - Nicholas Voss Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:24:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5762 One small misunderstanding, in this case linguistic, with horrific consequences for humankind. The word, "Son", intended mystically, was apparently understood biologically and that understanding is now, so to speak, "set in stone". Thank you to Professor Kaintz for this piece. I will remember it. - Bangwell Putt Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:23:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5761 I didn't know that Muslims likely think Mary was the sister of Aaron. Thanks. The Trinity is a mystery but that has never been an obstacle for me. In fact I can't even imagine believing in an impersonal God - what would be the use? - The Moz Thu, 20 Jan 2011 04:39:46 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/the-trinity-made-more-intelligible.html#comment-5760 Lonergan used to explain the Trinity thus: Three persons, two processions, one God, zero understanding. - Yezhov Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:49:32 +0100