THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: IT WILL TAKE THREE PARTS TO CRITIQUE THE CROSSING'S BELIEFS ON THE TRINITY, NOT TWO...
....In my last post I thought I could wrap it up in two parts. I was wrong. I don't want my posts to be too long at the same time I want to be thorough. I know that what I have written on the Law of Non-Contradiction in my last two posts may have either bored you to tears or challenged you intellectually; it's tough, I know. But I believe it is vital to have a basic understanding of the Law of Non-Contradiction; after all, you want to be thoroughly prepared biblically and logically when critiquing a Christian doctrine or practice.
....In my last post I thought I could wrap it up in two parts. I was wrong. I don't want my posts to be too long at the same time I want to be thorough. I know that what I have written on the Law of Non-Contradiction in my last two posts may have either bored you to tears or challenged you intellectually; it's tough, I know. But I believe it is vital to have a basic understanding of the Law of Non-Contradiction; after all, you want to be thoroughly prepared biblically and logically when critiquing a Christian doctrine or practice.
There is some more difficult material in this post, so please bear with me. Focus your attention and try to get a good grip of any material you may have just skimmed over in my last two posts, starting with "Critique of The Crosssing's beliefs-The Bible: Part Two", then "Critique of The Crossing's beliefs-The Trinity: Part One..." You will soon have a greater appreciation for the complexity of Christian doctrine and the precision it takes to articulate Christian doctrine in language that is easily understood.
THE NECESSITY OF EXPLAINING THE TRINITY WITH UTMOST PRECISION...
As with any explaination of Christian doctrine, Scripture is the final Authority; it is the standard by which we measure man's explaination of Christian doctrine. We can learn much from reputable Christian pastors and thinkers throughout church history as long as we don't abandon the Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura. Fuzzy, sloppy, inadequate explanations simply will not do! Trinitarian doctrine must be explained thoughtfully, succinctly, rationally, clearly, and with depth, lest errors creep in and distort the truth of God's character.
What follows is an excellent example of explaining trinitarian doctrine with clarity, precision, and depth. After all, the word "Trinity" is not even in the Bible; however that does not negate the triune nature of God as revealed in the Bible.
LOUIS BERKHOF'S BOOK "SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY" EMBODIES WHAT IT MEANS TO EXPLAIN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE WITH CLARITY, PRECISION, AND DEPTH
What follows is an excellent example of explaining trinitarian doctrine with clarity, precision, and depth. After all, the word "Trinity" is not even in the Bible; however that does not negate the triune nature of God as revealed in the Bible.
LOUIS BERKHOF'S BOOK "SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY" EMBODIES WHAT IT MEANS TO EXPLAIN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE WITH CLARITY, PRECISION, AND DEPTH
Professor Louis Berkhof (1873-1957) was a Reformed systematic theologian. He attended both Calvin theological seminary and Princeton theological seminary. He had written over 24 books in his life including his Magnum Opus, "Systematic Theology"; a widely acclaimed volume that arranges everything that the Bible teaches on major Christian doctrines into an orderly and coherent system. From cover to cover it is seven hundred eighty four pages long. I highly recommend this book as a reference tool.
HOW MUCH PRECISION IS NECESSARY?
Just to be clear, Systematic Theology proper is like a box within a box within a box within a box, etc. The entirety of Berkhof's book is divided into six "Parts", as in "Part One". Then under each Part there are "Sub-Headings", under each Sub-heading you have "Chapters", and under the Chapter are "Sub-Chapters". Then under the Sub-Chapters there are "Numerical points", and under the numerical points are further "Sub-Divisions", as in a,b,c,d,e,f, and g, etc. That should give you a general idea as to the precision Christian doctrine ought to be explained in a systematic way.
LET'S GET SPECIFIC
Now we will dive into the details; this is where things get a bit complicated so you may want to eat a bowl of Wheaties or chug a Red Bull to get yourself mentally prepared!
"Part One" of Louis Berkhof's "Systematic Theology" explains everything the Bible teaches on "The Doctrine of God". In Part One there are two "Sub-Headings". Sub-Heading number One explains "The Being of God", while Sub-Heading number Two explains "The Works of God". In Part One alone there are fourteen chapters.
Now we will dive into the details; this is where things get a bit complicated so you may want to eat a bowl of Wheaties or chug a Red Bull to get yourself mentally prepared!
"Part One" of Louis Berkhof's "Systematic Theology" explains everything the Bible teaches on "The Doctrine of God". In Part One there are two "Sub-Headings". Sub-Heading number One explains "The Being of God", while Sub-Heading number Two explains "The Works of God". In Part One alone there are fourteen chapters.
In Part One: "The Doctrine of God" under Sub-Heading number One, "The Being of God" there are eight Chapters as follows...
- The Existence of God
- The Knowability of God
- Relation of the Being and Attributes of God
- The Names of God
- The Attributes of God in General
- The Incommunicable Attributes
- The Communicable Attributes
- The Holy Trinity
In Part One: "The Doctrine of God" under Sub-Heading number Two, "The Works of God", There are six Chapters as follows...
- The Divine Decrees in General
- Predestination
- Creation in General
- Creation of the Spiritual World
- Creation of the Material World
- Providence
As you can see there is much to be learned about The Doctrine of the Christian God.
LETS TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE TRINITY
Notice in Berkhof's book, under Sub-Heading One of Part One, is Chapter Eight titled, "The Holy Trinity". Under Chapter Eight there are three Sub-Chapters, A, B, and C. And under each Sub-Chapter are numbered points, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. and these numbered points have further subdivisions, a, b, c, d, e, etc. What professor Berkhof teaches on the Trinity alone encompasses eighteen pages!
Now I'll give some examples as written in Berkhof's book, "Systematic Theology"; and this only scratches the surface of Trinitarian doctrine.
GETTING DOWN TO PRECISE DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS...
Remember that Part One of Berkhof's book explains everything that the Bible teaches about "The Doctrine of God". Under Part One is Sub-Heading One, "The Being of God". So Chapter Eight of Part One under Sub-Heading One explains everything the Bible teaches about the Trinity. There are three sub-chapters in Chapter Eight, A,B, and C. We'll examine Sub-Chapter B, titled, "God as Trinity in Unity".
Under Sub-Chapter B are four numerical points. For example, Point #2 is titled, "SCRIPTURAL PROOFS FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY". Under point #2 are sub-divisions; "a" titled, "Old-Testament proofs", and "b" titled "New Testament proofs; "a" and "b" contain the proof texts used in the Bible, and Berkhof's explanation thereof to support the doctrine of the Trinity.
Numerical point #3 under Sub-Chapter B is titled, "STATEMENTS OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY", Numerical point #3 is followed by a brief explanation of the subdivisions to come...
"The doctrine of the Trinity can best be discussed briefly in connection with various propositions, which constitute an epitome of the faith of the Church on this point."
"The doctrine of the Trinity can best be discussed briefly in connection with various propositions, which constitute an epitome of the faith of the Church on this point."
Under numerical point #3 are six "sub-divisions", stated in propositional language. Following each proposition is a thorough explanation of that particular proposition. These six propositions are lettered a,b,c,d,e, and f, respectively. Stating and explaining these six propositions alone takes 3 pages.
To keep matters brief I will only state the propositions of a.b.c.d.e. and f; I will not include the explanation of the propositions. These propositions will give you a greater understanding and appreciation of the Trinity compared to The Crossing's pathetic attempt in the "I Love My Church" video.
The six propositions of point #3, Sub-Chapter B....
- a) "There is in the Divine Being but one indivisible essence." (This proposition is followed by a long paragraph explaining proposition "a".. A similar explanation occurs under all six subdivisions).
- b) In this one Divine Being there are three Persons or individual subsistences, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- c)The whole undivided essence of God belongs equally to each of the three Persons.
- d) The subsistence and operation of the three Persons in the Divine Being is marked by a certain definite order.
- e) There are certain personal attributes by which the three Persons are distinguished.
- The Church confesses the Trinity to be a mystery beyond the comprehension of man.
THE END, FINALLY!
O.K. I'm sure that by now, every synapse in your brain is fried; so, so sorry about that! The point of this post is that frivolous and fuzzy explanations of a particular Christian doctrine do not demonstrate the true depth and magnitude of that particular doctrine as explained in Scripture.
In my next post I will finally wrap up "Critique of The Crossing's beliefs-the Trinity. I promise you that this will be less taxing on your brain! Or will it?
O.K. I'm sure that by now, every synapse in your brain is fried; so, so sorry about that! The point of this post is that frivolous and fuzzy explanations of a particular Christian doctrine do not demonstrate the true depth and magnitude of that particular doctrine as explained in Scripture.
In my next post I will finally wrap up "Critique of The Crossing's beliefs-the Trinity. I promise you that this will be less taxing on your brain! Or will it?
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