Do you know what “trinity” means? Can it apply to our relationships?
I always thought I knew the meaning of trinity, at least, in terms of the scripture. The idea that God is an individual and is yet God, Son, and Holy Spirit combined into one all at the same time. Although, most people who were brought up in the church have typically accepted it as a given, it is a complex, confusing and deep subject.
There are many things I’ve always accepted on faith and felt no real need to look further. In this case, I have no doubt whatsoever regarding the Trinity. I accept that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and yet are three separate and distinct beings. Yes, I know, science has some issues with the concept; however, I also accept there are many issues in life that supersede the brainpower of even the greatest human intellect. I’m comfortable with that. I don’t need an explanation for everything. I accept that someone wiser than anyone on this planet set the universe in motion.
However, there are times that a little bit of knowledge, of the things we accept by faith, can lead us to a greater understanding in other areas of our life.
In Chapter 9 of his book, “The Shack Revisited: There Is More Going On Here than You Ever Dared to Dream”, author C. Baxter Kruger describes the Trinity with his favorite theological word, “perichoresis”. He defines perichoresis as “mutual indwelling without loss of individuality.” He goes on to explain that this doctrine of perichoresis “transformed the idea of ‘one’ from strict individuality to profound togetherness”.
Kruger describes the relationship of the Trinity as that between the Father and Son as it is facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
It suddenly occurred to me that what he was describing was no different than the relationship in a marriage. The relationship of becoming one between a husband and wife as is it facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
In a marriage, two individuals take on an alternate presence that supersedes the combination of the two. It’s a union built on ultimate togetherness, with neither party being senior, or “in-charge”. Suddenly we refer to the couple as a single entity. In fact, this union includes more than just a husband and wife. It also includes the Trinity who facilitates the relationship.
We are invited to be transformed as only God can into this “profound togetherness”. It’s a spiritual thing, not to be confused with a joining of household belonging into a single household for taxes or benefits. Marriage has nothing to do with government or the laws of man. It’s a spiritual joining of a husband and wife as orchestrated by the Trinity. Government decree has nothing to do with it.
AWS
