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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Aug 47 min read

Can God Be Both One and Three? Exploring the Doctrine of the Trinity

Monotheism and the Uniqueness of Christian Belief


Christians, like Jews and Muslims, are monotheists. They believe in the existence of only one God. However, unlike other monotheists, Christians hold the belief that this one God exists eternally as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This belief, known as the doctrine of the Trinity, is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It underpins other crucial doctrines, such as the incarnation, which asserts that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human.


The doctrine of the Trinity is articulated in several key biblical passages. For example, Deuteronomy 6:4 declares the oneness of God: "Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one." Yet, the New Testament presents a more complex picture of this one God. At Jesus' baptism, all three persons of the Trinity are present: the Father speaks from heaven, the Son is baptized, and the Spirit descends like a dove (Matthew 3:16-17). This triune presence is also reflected in the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).



Addressing Misunderstandings: Modalism and Tritheism


The doctrine of the Trinity often seems paradoxical or even contradictory, leading to various misunderstandings and heresies. Two major errors arise from misinterpreting the nature of God's oneness and threeness: modalism and tritheism.


Modalism stresses the oneness of God to the exclusion of His threeness. It claims that the one God appears in different modes or roles—sometimes as the Father, other times as the Son, and yet other times as the Holy Spirit. This view denies the distinct personhood of each member of the Trinity. However, this perspective is refuted by Scripture, which consistently presents the Father, Son, and Spirit as distinct persons who interact with one another (John 14:16-17).


Tritheism, on the other hand, emphasizes the threeness of God at the expense of His oneness, suggesting that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate gods. This view is equally unscriptural, as the Bible affirms the absolute oneness of God. Isaiah 45:5 states, "I am Jehovah, and there is no other; besides me there is no God."



The Logical Coherence of the Trinity


At first glance, the doctrine of the Trinity might seem contradictory. How can God be both one and three? Understanding this doctrine requires distinguishing between different kinds of unity and plurality. A contradiction arises only when we assert that something is both true and false in the same sense at the same time. For example, it is contradictory to claim both that "Napoleon lost the Battle of Waterloo" and that "Napoleon did not lose the Battle of Waterloo."


Christians do not assert that there is one God and not one God, nor that there are three persons and not three persons. Instead, they affirm that there is one God in essence and three persons in existence. This distinction is crucial: God is one in substance but three in persons. The oneness pertains to His divine nature, while the threeness pertains to the persons who share that nature.


This concept is akin to understanding a family. A family can be one entity yet consist of multiple persons, each with distinct roles and relationships. Similarly, within the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who share the same divine essence.



Biblical Foundations of the Trinity


The New Testament provides numerous passages that support the doctrine of the Trinity. In addition to the baptism of Jesus and the Great Commission, there are several other key texts. For instance, John 1:1-14 describes the Word (Jesus) as both with God and being God, indicating both distinction and unity within the Godhead. Moreover, 2 Corinthians 13:14 offers a Trinitarian benediction: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."


These passages, among others, demonstrate that the doctrine of the Trinity is not an invention of the church but a revelation of God’s nature as presented in Scripture. The early church fathers recognized and articulated this doctrine as they sought to remain faithful to the biblical witness.


Addressing Common Objections


One common objection to the Trinity is that it is a later development, not found in the Bible. However, this objection overlooks the fact that the doctrine of the Trinity is derived from the totality of Scripture’s witness about God. The term "Trinity" may not appear in the Bible, but the concept is clearly present. The early Christians understood the revelation of God as Triune and formulated the doctrine to safeguard against misunderstandings and heresies.


Another objection is that the Trinity is incomprehensible and therefore cannot be true. While it is true that the Trinity is a mystery beyond full human comprehension, this does not make it illogical or untrue. The finite human mind cannot fully grasp the infinite nature of God. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. Our inability to fully understand the Trinity tells us more about our limitations than about the nature of God.



Theological Implications of the Trinity


The doctrine of the Trinity has profound implications for Christian theology and practice. It affirms the full divinity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, ensuring that the work of salvation is accomplished by God Himself. The incarnation of Jesus—God becoming man—presupposes the Trinity. If Jesus were not fully God, His sacrifice would not have the infinite value needed to atone for the sins of humanity.


Moreover, the Trinity reveals the relational nature of God. Within the Godhead, there is perfect love, communion, and fellowship. This relational aspect of God's nature is reflected in His creation of humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Humans are designed for relationships—with God and with one another. The love and unity within the Trinity serve as the model for Christian community and relationships.


Practical Applications of the Trinity


Understanding the Trinity enriches our worship, prayer, and Christian living. In worship, we honor the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, recognizing their distinct roles in the work of creation, redemption, and sanctification. Our prayers often reflect a Trinitarian structure, addressing the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.


In our daily lives, the Trinity teaches us about unity and diversity. Just as the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct yet united, so the church is composed of diverse individuals who are one in Christ. This unity in diversity should characterize our relationships and interactions within the body of Christ.


The Trinity also provides a framework for understanding our mission. The Great Commission, given by Jesus in a Trinitarian formula (Matthew 28:19), calls us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mission reflects the heart of the Triune God, who desires all people to come into a saving relationship with Him.



Historical Development of the Doctrine


The doctrine of the Trinity was formally articulated in response to various heresies that threatened the church’s understanding of God. The early church councils, such as the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. and the Council of Constantinople in 381 C.E., affirmed the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, rejecting Arianism (which denied the full divinity of the Son) and Pneumatomachianism (which denied the full divinity of the Spirit).


The Nicene Creed, formulated at Nicaea and expanded at Constantinople, is a foundational statement of Trinitarian faith. It declares belief in one God, the Father Almighty, in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. This creed remains a central affirmation of Trinitarian faith for many Christian denominations.


The Trinity in Christian Experience


The Trinity is not just a theological concept but a reality experienced in the life of believers. The Father’s love, the Son’s grace, and the Spirit’s fellowship are integral to the Christian experience. Romans 5:5 speaks of God's love being poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.


The Holy Spirit indwells believers, guiding and empowering them for holy living and service. This indwelling presence reflects the relational nature of the Trinity, as believers are brought into intimate fellowship with God. The Spirit’s work in our lives is a testimony to the ongoing presence and power of the Triune God.



Misunderstandings and Clarifications


It is crucial to address and correct common misunderstandings about the Trinity. Some may mistakenly view the Trinity as three separate gods, but this is tritheism and not the biblical doctrine. Others may see the Trinity as merely different modes or manifestations of one God, which is modalism.


The orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, as affirmed by the early church and based on Scripture, maintains that God is one in essence and three in persons. Each person of the Trinity is fully and equally God, sharing the same divine nature, yet they are distinct in their relationships and roles.


Understanding this doctrine requires careful distinction and precision. It is not an easy concept, but it is essential for a proper understanding of God and His work. The complexity of the Trinity reflects the richness and depth of the divine nature, inviting us to a deeper reverence and awe of the God we worship.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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