As I have been reading this phenomenal defense of orthodox Christianity, I can understand now why it has stood the test of time. The thoroughness, richness, reverence, and simplicity of style which Calvin wrote the Institutes makes it a foundational book of systematic theology for the Christian layman and minister alike!
I currently am in the middle of Calvin's section on the Trinity and I wanted to share some of the quotes which impacted me the most.
To begin with, it should be stated why we must study the Trinity. Calvin says,
"Moreover, Satan, in order to tear our faith from its very roots, has always been instigating great battles, partly concerning the divine essence of the Son and the Spirit, partly concerning the distinction of the Three Persons. He has during nearly all ages stirred up ungodly spirits to harry orthodox (true and right) teachers over this matters and today also is trying to kindle a new fire from the old embers. For these reasons, it is important...to resist the perverse ravings of ungodly men." (Book 1, pages 144-145)
Mormons, Muslims, and Jehovah's Witnesses anyone? In order to stand strong for the truth against our sometimes well-equipped opponents, we have to "know our stuff". If you need more reasons, check out my earlier post about 10 reasons to study the Trinity.
Additionally, whenever we probe into the mystery of the Trinity, we absolutely must maintain a strong sense of caution and reverence. God reveals Himself to us and opens our eyes to comprehend who He is. That said, there is a limit to what our finite minds can grasp and inevitablely every single Christian must cease his inquiry and simply believe. Here is an excellent atittude which every student of the Trinity should possess:
"...[this] passage from Gregory of Nazianzus vastly delights me:
'I cannot think on the One without quickly being encircled by the splendor of the Three, nor can I discern the Three without being straightaway carried back to the One.'"
'I cannot think on the One without quickly being encircled by the splendor of the Three, nor can I discern the Three without being straightaway carried back to the One.'"
It is always useful, when dealing with a difficult doctrine, to clearly set forth what we do affirm and confess.
"Therefore, let those who dearly love soberness, and who will be content with the measure of faith, receive in brief form what is useful to know: namely, that when we profess to believe in one God, under the name of God is understood a single, simple essence, in which we comprehend three persons...
Therefore, whenever the name of God is mentioned without particularization, there are designated no less the Son and the Spirit than the Father; but where the Son is joined to the Father, then the relation of the two enters in; and so we distinguish among the Persons." (Book 1, page 144)
Lastly, one of the trickiest aspects of the doctrine of the Trinity is the unity of the Trinity while also maintaining the distinctness of the Persons. Three in One, without confusion or contradiction.
-The Relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit-
"...this distinction is so far from contravening (conflict with) the utterly simple unity of God as to permit us to prove from it that the Son is one God with the Father because He shares with the Father one and the same Spirit; and that the Spirit us not something other than the Father and different from the Son, because He is the Spirit of the Father and the Son. For in each hypostasis (any of the persons of the Trinity) the whole divine nature is understood, with this qualification - that to each [Person of the Trinity] belongs His own peculiar quality. The Father is wholly in the Son, the Son wholly in the Father, even as He Himself declares, 'I am in the Father, and the Father in Me' (John 14:10)....
Augustine well and clearly expresses the cause of this diversity in another place, when he speaks as follows:
'Christ with respect to Himself is called God; with respect to the Father, Son. Again, the Father with respect to Himself is called God; with respect to the Son, Father. In so far as he is called Father with respect to the Son, He is not the Son; in so far as He is called the Son with respect to the Father, He is not the Father; in so far as He is called both Father with respect to Himself and Son with respect to Himself, and Son with respect to Himself, He is the same God.'
Therefore, when we speak simply of the Son without regard to the Father, we well and properly declare Him to be of Himself; and for this reason we call him the sole beginning. But when we mark the relationship that He has with the Father, we rightly make the Father the beginning of the Son." (Book 1, pages 143-144)
I hope that these passages have increased our understanding and reverence for the awesome and mighty God whom we serve. The hidden things (and aspects) of God and His character belong to Him. But the revealed truths, found in Scripture alone, are for us and for our children (see Deut. 29:29)
If you would like to find a short and condensed, but highly informative and refreshing study of the Trinity, check out Bruce Ware's book, "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit".
