A Note on the Trinity (2)

This post follows on from my last and briefly addresses the practical aspect of the Trinity. It is the second part of a two part response to the questions:

Is the Trinity understandable? Is the Trinity practical?


Read the first part here.
-------------------------------------------

The Trinity expresses God as relationship. Empathy and openness is the basis for all relationships. It is the basis for love itself, and God is love. To love, one must be in relationship, and God being love, rather than simply loving, explains that God is in relationship.

In fact, God is relationship, without remainder. The Father, Son and Spirit are in relationship with one another in such a way that there is no part of one that is not given to the others in relationship. This relationship was in existence before the dawn of time and space, showing that relationship is fundamental to all reality.

This understanding of the Trinity means that it is not just a theological truth to be learnt, but it is an ethical truth to be lived out. The way we think of God impacts on the way we live our lives, the things we do and the things we say. As Christians, we are caught up in the Trinitarian relationship, the eternal dance of perichoresis.

We live our lives in communion with God: Father, Son and Spirit. Our worship is offered to God, Three-in-One; our prayers are offered to Father, Spirit and Son. More than this, as Trinitarians, we live our lives in community with each other, reflecting God’s relational communion. This does not mean uniformity or conformity, but rather relationship embracing diversity, bringing unity.

Relationship without remainder.

Trinitarians.