The Great Mysteries of the Christian Faith

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#Mysteries
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There are three great mysteries of the Christian faith. By mystery, I mean a Bible teaching difficult to understand completely. People often question whether the Bible teaches these mysteries and whether they are contradictions. These mysteries are the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, and predestination and free will. Now before I discuss these three great mysteries of the faith let me make two points that can aid our understanding.

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First, we need some understanding of logic and non-contradiction. What is a contradiction? A contradiction means something can’t be both itself and not itself at the same time and in the same way. For example, either the world exists or it doesn’t. But it can’t exist and not exist in the same way at the same time. That is the basic law of thought called non-contradiction. We can’t think or talk rationally without affirming it. Even to deny it assumes it true in the denial.  True statements must be either\or, not both\and, whether in Indian, America, or on the moon. The opposite of any true statement is false. So, all theology or talk about God and the world must be logically consistent to be true.

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Second, we need some understanding about our use of the word ‘God.’ I think we’re safe to say when people use the word ‘God’ they mean something more than the word ‘man.’ People wouldn’t say man equals God or that they’re the same thing. Even humanists wouldn’t call man God, although they say man is his own God.  Further,  men can't  change themselves into gods or give themselves a nature they don't have. Contrary to Christians, Mormons are polytheists. They believe men can become gods and have wives and their own planets. 

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The Bible's God  is greater than our limited human understanding and His ways not fully comprehensible (Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33). We have no real concern for a God who cannot or does not act in our real world. But a personal ethical God who will judge our actions should be our utmost concern and we best make sure which God it is. The  statements of so-called theologians who claim there's no such God make unprovable assumptions without authority--they can't say in advance what God can and can't do.  The Bible's Creator God is most reasonable is light of our dependent universe  immensely more complex than  limited human minds can comprehend.

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The Trinity—Three Persons in One Essence.

Jehovah’s Witnesses and others claim the word ‘Trinity’ is not in the Bible, so the teaching is not in the Bible. But absence of the word doesn’t have to mean absence of the teaching. The term ‘Trinity’ is Latin and means ‘three in the unity of one.’ We will show it certainly is a Bible teaching. Besides, Jehovah Witnesses literature teaches a ‘theocratic kingdom,’ a phrase not mentioned in the Bible. Does that mean it’s not a Bible teaching?

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The Christian biblical belief of the Trinity affirms three distinct Persons in one divine essence. We don’t mean three gods, three modes, or three parts, but one God in essence and in three Persons. This is not a contradiction since person and essence are used in different senses. All three persons are called God, but all have the same essence or set of personal characteristics—all power, knowledge, justice, love, etc. And the one essence cannot be parts as things comprised of parts can be divided, but God is One.

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The mystery is in understanding how there can be three personal distinctions within God so they can address each other as Father, Son, and Spirit (1 Tim. 3:16). The answer is simply to humbly accept what God has told us about Himself in his Word and let it go at that. Conservative systematic theology texts give numerous pages of biblical evidence of the Trinity that cannot honestly be ignored nor distorted. Any different teaching is human speculation which undermines all God has taught us in Scripture. As mentioned above, a God who can create such a complex, rational and harmonious universe would certainly be greater than our limited and often biased understanding.

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No analogy in nature completely compares with God but some illustrations may help. One triangle has three corners. We can take one to the third power (1x1x1=1). A better analogy is God is love (1 John 4:16). Love includes the three elements: A lover, a beloved, and a spirit of love. As God walked with Adam in the Garden, unlike distant punishing Allah of Islam, the persons of the Godhead are in a relationship of love and want to extend that love-trust relationship to us. While the Godhead is of the same essence, the persons have subordinate functions. The Father planned, the Son accomplished, and the Holy Spirit applies salvation to believers.

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The Trinity is implied in the Old Testament or Jewish Tanakh . It teaches one God (Ex. 20:3; Deuteronomy. 6:4: Isaiah. 45:18), yet that one God is three persons (Psalm. 2; 45:6-8; 110:1). In  Isiah 63:7-10 the Lord, Savior, and Holy Spirit are mentioned together. And Zech. 1:12-13 compared with Judges 6:12-16 shows the Angel of the Lord is the Lord Himsle. Even the Hebrew word for God (echad Deut. 6:4) implies a plurality with unity the same as Adam and Eve are one flesh (Genesis. 2:24).

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In the New Testament, Jesus taught one God (Mark 12:29). He further taught that God is three persons (John 10:30, 14:8-10, 15:23, 16:7-11). Notice it at the baptism of Jesus (Matt. 3:16-17, in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:19), and in the apostolic benediction (2 Cor. 13:14). Further, the Jews understood Jesus' claim to be God quite clearly. "The  Jews answered Him saying, For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You being a Man make Yourself God" (John 10:33). 

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The Incarnation of the God-man in our History.

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The Christian biblical or orthodox belief of the Incarnation is that the second person of the Godhead added humanity. The infinite Son of God took upon himself a human body and nature and walked among us. The infinite creator of everything would have no problem doing that. Of course, it’s impossible for the infinite God to become a finite baby. But that’s not biblical Christian teaching. It’s that Jesus added His real divine nature to a real human nature and body that made him the one person the God-man. When speaking as God, Jesus knew everything. But when speaking as man, he did not know everything. Further, his human nature was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit precluding the transmitted sin of Adam. Again, this is a great mystery but not a contradiction. See John 1:1-3; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 1:1-3; Phil. 2:1-6; Col. 2:9.

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God’s Predestination and Our Free Will.

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 Scripture repeatedly teaches both God’s sovereignty and human free will even together in a number of passages (Gen. 20:50; John. 1:12-13; 6:37; Acts 2:23). It says God declares the end from the beginning (Ephesians 1:11; Isa. 46:10), and hundreds of detailed fulfilled Bible promises and prophecies prove it true. What God says will happen, will happen. God choose believers before creation (Eph. 1:4), but all who believe within time receive His gift of salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9, Matt. 23:37; 2 Pet. 3:9). This didn’t seem to be a problem for the Scripture writers. So, God can allow human freedom within His sovereignty. And if it's not true, then God's promises and our petitions are a pointless sham. So, how do we solve this mystery?

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 Scripture teaches our Creator foresees (better momentarily knows) and sustains everything (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:15-20)--good and evil, disease and devastation, salvation and suffering, Heaven and Hell which includes the elect's free will response to His gracious invitation to faith. We don't understand the details, but predestination and free will are compatible and God works them together ultimately for His glory and the good of all who trust Him (Romans 8:28-30). God wisely allows and directs events so the ultimate outcome is the best of all possible worlds. Yet, as secondary agents we make our own decisions in libertarian free will influenced but unforced, and thus we're held accountable by a holy God who doesn't commit sin.

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Physical and moral evils are allowed within God's plan to bring about greater long term good. Without earth's core pushing up lands, the world would be flooded. Without Satan prompting Judas to betray Christ, there would be no atonement and resurrection hope as predicted. Could our problem be a shortsighted prideful unwillingness that won't seek the Lord who invites us into a love-trust relationship and eternal life? See Jer. 29:13; Matt. 7:7-8; John 3:36; Heb. 11:6.

The Almighty acts usually as an Unseen Hand influencing human thinking, decisions and events (Genesis 50:20; Book of Easter, Matt. 16:16-17; Luke 2:25-35; Eph. 2:10; Phil. 2:12; John 16:8-11).  Faith recognizes it as circumstantial probability--not luck or accident. At other times God acts miraculously and visibly by altering nature’s forces (Daniel 4:35; Acts 26:8). For example, in Egypt’s ten plagues coming at Moses command, Israel’s crossing between two walls of water within the Sea, Lazarus’ stinking corpse  resuscitated. The miracle that established biblical Christianity is  that Jesus' mother and disciple John  observed Jesus crucified.  His executers laid his cold stiff  body in the sealed and guarded tomb. Then after  three days he was raised from the dead as he predicted and seen by five hundred persons (Matt. 20:18-19; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

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 Biblical miracles are no problem once we understand God is Lord of His creation who acts supernaturally when, where and how it suits His purpose.  Persons don't risk persecution, torture and death to claim things they know to be  lies. As historical events,  biblical miracles  must be confirmed by reasonable testimony. Secular historians, especially hostile ones, who mention biblical places, persons, events, and dates as authentic imply claims to miracles are as well.  Being outside the domain of observable experimental science, miracles cannot be pronounced impossible. One must assume absolute knowledge to say they can't happen. Moreover, if even the slightest chance they occurred, we would be wise to give them an honest unbiased appraisal.

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We know in part what’s happening now and in the past but can only guess about the future. But God, outside of time, is like someone standing on a mountain who can simultaneously see everything going around its base. From our perspective we have free will, but from God's all is predestined. What the universe's Creator knows from eternity can’t be wrong. It’s like our watching the replay of a ballgame. When the game occurred, players made their moves freely. When we watch the replay, all is certain.  With God, everything is certain before the players made their own decisions.

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So, God made us in His image with a mind  that transcends matter and nature's forces that insures our freedom and responsibility--thus we can understand causes and their consequences and make contrary choices. We see dark clouds, winds stirring up, and say, “It’s going to rain, I had better go in doors or I’ll get wet.” We're not robots nor animals of instinct--God in love procures our rationally, freedom,  dignity, and responsibility. He tests us under various sets of circumstances and will justly give us our rightful due. His wise rule insures this is the best of all possible worlds.

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Within God’s plan  the universe was marred by Satan’s rebellion; and a good earth cursed by Adam’s sin. But evil as well as good further glorify God in display of His otherwise unknown attributes of sovereignty, holiness, justice, love, truth, forgiveness, and grace. He works all things out for His glory and the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 2:8-10). Praise God! Our part is to trust in the good Lord and obey His Word.

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If you have found this article helpful, why not file, save and share these articles with friends and loved ones. God encourage you in love to share this good news with a needy humanity.

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Let me recommend my favorite theologian, Dr. Norman Geisler in his Systematic Theology and his Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics..

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