Let's look at the Holy Spirit...

[Joshua-777]

That being said, a nonbeliever will never be able to understand the Trinity. Christins don't even totally understand, as thisis a mystery.

Forgive me, but this sounds a lot like "I just don't feel like thinking about it or explaining it."

Water, ice, and steam, 3 forms of water, yet still water, God is the same God, separated into 3 parts. Each part works differently agreeing with the other parts, and nothing contradicts. How is that difficult to understand? Well ya just gotta know Christ personally to understand this. If you want to know Christ personally, ask him.

[billie]

That being said, a nonbeliever will never be able to understand the Trinity. Christins don't even totally understand, as thisis a mystery.

Forgive me, but this sounds a lot like "I just don't feel like thinking about it or explaining it."

Did you read what was above that?

It can't be explained.

[billie]

Water, ice, and steam

I understand your attempt at an explanation josh but to me it almost sounds like a mockery of what we are trying to get across and to mock God turns me into the Hulk in defense . Please don't compare such trival components to such a divine Creator. It's an insult.

The Trinity can be difficult for others to understand especially the non belivers but before you post something like comparing the Trinity to water ice and steam, though I appreciate your attempt, it is much more than that and this is not how we view God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as a scientic explanation but Three REAL persons in ONE God.

[ethical.atheist]

It can't be explained.

Then why is there a topic on it? (in Apologetics, no less!)

[billie]

It can't be explained.

Then why is there a topic on it? (in Apologetics, no less!)

You should probably ask the OP.

[ethical.atheist]

You should probably ask the OP.

Is there a better way to do it than to post a reply in her topic? Edited December 4, 2006 by ethical.atheist

[billie]

You should probably ask the OP.

Is there a better way to do it than to post a reply in his topic?

I wish there were, but you guys can't use the PM system.

We'll have to wait til she comes back.

[cjrose]

Water, ice, and steam

I understand your attempt at an explanation josh but to me it almost sounds like a mockery of what we are trying to get across and to mock God turns me into the Hulk in defense . Please don't compare such trival components to such a divine Creator. It's an insult.

The Trinity can be difficult for others to understand especially the non belivers but before you post something like comparing the Trinity to water ice and steam, though I appreciate your attempt, it is much more than that and this is not how we view God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as a scientic explanation but Three REAL persons in ONE God.

Actually, CJ, it was me who first posted the water, ice, steam analogy.

I don't quite understand what you find mockery, trivial, or insulting about that as Jesus Himself compared Himself to water, but if you really feel that way, maybe a better thing for us to do would be to discuss it via PM.

BTW, obviously anyone with a relationship with Jesus knows that it's more than that. We have to keep in mind, though, that we're addressing a nonbeliever with these posts. We're trying to break it down as easily as we can for him and whatever other nonbelievers there are reading. It isn't meant as a scientific explanation, as scince can't explain this.

God bless.

My apologies billie that my ignorance on this has manifested itself in the wrong way. I just believe that the Trinity is so much more than this explanation. It can be compared scientifically if that is how you all feel the only way to explain to a non believer as to what the Trinity is. Maybe my words mockery were the wrong choice.

Sorry dear

[cjrose]

You should probably ask the OP.

Is there a better way to do it than to post a reply in her topic?

What is you question here ethical? I originally posted this topic in apologetics so everyone could reply and since it is a proper place in defense of the Gospel. Then the Admins changed things around however, it is still where it should be. What is your problem with this?

[secondeve]

Well, for me, the trinity is just another triple deity - sounds like an idea borrowed from older cultures. Mythology is full of triples: Norns, Graces, Charites, Furies, Fates, Grey Women, Gorgons; goddess triads like Demeter, Persephone and Hecate; the three Celtic Bridgits; Hathor, Isis and Sekhmet from Egypt; Parvati, Dagma and Kali from the Vedic cultures; Ereshkigal, Geshtinanna and Ishtar. Even in the Talmud/Jewish folklore, you've got Lilith and the two Eves. The idea is as old as religion. Three has always been a special number to lots of cultures, and it works well with an idea of balance: two extremes, and a middle path. Maiden, mother, crone. Boy, youth, man. So given the fact that Christianity arose in the Roman world, where the classical triads would have been extremely well known and respected, it doesn't surprise me that the idea transposed itself into father, son and spirit.