Here are a few insightful quotes about the Trinity:
“In Christianity, God is not a static thing … but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost a kind of drama. Almost, if you will not think me irreverent, a kind of dance.” [C.S. Lewis]
"The Trinity is a communion of three persons, three centers of consciousness, who exist and always have existed in union with one another and in dependence on one another … Each is essential to the life of the others, and to the life of the Trinity. They are bound to one another in love, agape love, which therefore unites them in the closest and most intimate of relationships. This unselfish, agape love, makes each more concerned for the other than for himself. There is therefore a mutual submission of each to each of the others and a mutual glorifying of one another. There is complete equality of the three." [Theologian Millard Erickson]
"The oneness of God is not the oneness of a distinct, self-contained individual; it is the unity of a community of persons who love each other and live together in harmony … They are what they are only in relationship with one another. Each only exists in this relationship and would not exist apart from it. Father, Son and Holy Spirit live only in and with and through each other, eternally united in, mutual love and shared purposes … There is no solitary person separated from the others, no above and below; no first, second, third in importance; no ruling and controlling and being ruled and controlled; no position of privilege to be maintained over against others; no question of conflict concerning who is in charge; no possible rivalry or competition between competing individuals; no need to assert independence and authority of one at the expense of the others. Now there is only the fellowship and community of equals who share all that they are and have in their communion with each other, living with and for the others in mutual openness, self-giving love, and support; each free not from but for the others. That is how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are related in the inner circle of the Godhead." [Professor Shirley Guthrie]
"The persons within God exalt each other, commune with each other, and defer to one another … Each divine person harbours the others at the center of his being. In constant movement of overture and acceptance, each person envelops and encircles the others … God’s interior life overflows with regard for others." [Theologian Cornelius Plantinga]
“The three divine persons are not there simply for themselves. They are there in that they are there for one another. They are persons in social relationship. The Father can be called Father only in relationship with the Son; the Son can be called Son only in relationship with the Father. The Spirit is the breath of the one who speaks.” [Theologian Jürgen Moltmann]
“In self-centredness we demand that others orbit around us. We will do things and give affection to others, as long as it helps us meet our personal goals and fulfils us. The inner life of the Triune God, however, is utterly different. The life of the Trinity is characterised not by self-centredness but by mutually self-giving love. When we delight and serve someone else, we enter into a dynamic orbit around him or her, we center on the interests and desires of the other. That creates a dance, particularly if there are three persons, each of whom moves around the other two. So it is, the Bible tells us. Each of the divine persons centers upon the others. None demands that the others revolve around him. Each voluntarily circles the other two, pouring love, delight, and adoration into them. Each person of the Trinity loves, adores, defers to, and rejoices in the others. That creates a dynamic, pulsating dance of joy and love.” [Tim Keller]
“… baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matt.28:19.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Cor.13:14
“For through him (Jesus) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Eph.2:18
Yes, the Lord of the Dance calls us into the joyful rhythm of his loving community.
Thanks for these quotes.
They got me thinking and I thought, if God was only one person how would he know love. So it makes sense that He is and knows love through the communing and character of the three persons. He created love I feel. So we say, God is Love.
BTW, I am often inspired and learn much from your blog. Thanks for the time and effort you put in to it Mark.