Is it wrong to use the word “trinity” to describe God?
Question:
Hello,
I tried to reason with a Muslim concerning the fact that Christ is God and indeed the Son of God. In my discussion, I used the word 'trinity' (which I just know little about) to denote God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. However, I came to realize that this word 'trinity' is nowhere in the scripture but men fixed it to denote the concept of the 'Three in One' existence of God. As a member of the church of Christ, I would like to do as God commanded us in His scriptures; and thus I would like you to help me know whether it is wrong to use the word 'trinity' to explain the nature of God.
Answer:
The word "trinity" has been around since the late second century. It is a combination of two Latin words for threefold or triple and unity. Since the Bible is written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and all prior to the second century, it isn't surprising that the word doesn't appear in the text. The question isn't whether a particular word appears, but whether the concept described by the word reflects what is taught in the Bible.
Some words carry "baggage," especially religious words. You use certain words and people immediately jump to certain conclusions about what you believe. If you use the word as its roots define it, the idea that God is three beings perfectly united in thought and action, then trinity is a good descriptive word for that concept. See: "The Trinity: God Is Three in One" for more details.
Typically I find that those objecting to the word "trinity" do so because they don't believe that Jesus is God (John 1:1-3). It is that issue that should be addressed without getting wrapped up in terminology. See: Jesus is God and Subtle References to the Trinity.
Response:
Thank you very much. God bless you.
