Time
The Trinity is often an incomprehensible reality that will be fully understood when we get to heaven. But (while we're still here), I want to bounce this idea off you guys. I heard once that we can untangle the Trinity by drawing some parallels with TIME.
Time has 3 unique components (or dimensions): past, present, and future. They all serve different roles. But they coexist to create the timeline. It's impossible to live without all three.
We can't live without the past - otherwise we wouldn't have any memory of what has already happened to us, and to the world; no opportunity to rejoice in our successes, learn from our failures, and make life-long friends. (For example, we can say, "I've been a Christian for 10 years" because we remember the past 10 years.)
We can't live without the present, because the present is ... NOW! If there is no "now", then what is the present?
And if there is no future, then there will be no present or no past. So whatever happens 10 minutes from now is the future. Exactly 10 minutes from now, it will be the present. 11 (or more) minutes from now, it will be past, since it has already occurred.
Past, present, and future - they are all measured the same way (seconds, minutes, etc.), but they each have their specific role! The Trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - they all have the same divine attributes, but they exist as 3 distinct persons with unique roles.
By all means, let me know if my extrapolation of this analogy is any closer to connecting the dots on the Trinity.
2 comments:
Nice! I totally agree with you. The Trinity and Time analogy is great; as is the ice, water, steam one and others. But, as you said, there are always holes in these finite attempts at describing the infinite.
The point is, that we can use these thoughts to launch into further discussion and get a better handle on something we may never completely understand.
Crazy eh? How God can exist as enigma and intimate all at once ... eternally ...
I love that it can't be explained fully and that there's always going to be somewhat of a "mystery" behind it. That's what makes it so real to me. If we could grasp or explain it, it wouldn't be bigger than us. I love how it can be felt and experienced without being completely understood.
Post a Comment