God & the Trinity (Reformed Theology Series)

If the foundation of all our theology and piety is in the Word of God, then we must examine the Author of that Word. As such, that is the next section in the Westminster confession: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

For clarification, the writers of the confession were not implying that God and the Trinity are somehow different. As we will see in a moment, they are one and the same. Reformed theology stands here in agreement with both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. What is crucial to note with this topic is that an understanding of the correct God is one of the defining marks of a true Christian. Let us begin to unfold the glories of our God, starting with the Trinity.

The Trinity

Christianity has always professed that God is triune. This word is a combination of trinity and unity. Although that sounds contradictory, it is only so to our finite human minds. How is this explained? Although it will forever be a mystery in some sense, the most succinct way to think of it is this: humans have only one being and one person, but God is one in being and three in person.

God is one in being and three in person.

This does not mean that God merely has three personalities, or that there are three gods. We must be careful to get this right, as the integrity of our faith hangs on this. The confession helps us understand this well in saying that God is “of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost” [or Holy Spirit]. They are substantially the same, but they are distinct in person.

The trinity is an inconceivable mystery to the human mind and always will be. We can plumb the depths of this forever and learn of God, but we also must bow in humble awe before Him as we realize the limit of our small minds.

Without Body, Parts, or Passions

The confession highlights many things about God, but one that is particularly important is that God is “without body, parts, or passions.” Let’s look first at body and parts.

The apostle John writes, “God is Spirit” (John 4:24). Spirits do not have bodies and are not made up of parts. Additionally, bodies are created; God is not created. This means that God can be eternal and infinite in all things and is not confined to a body or something made of parts. King Solomon understood this when he said, “Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!” (I Kin. 8:27).

God confined to a body would not be God. How then, you say, can Jesus be a man? This is another mystery to the human mind. The best way to understand it is that Jesus was always God, but he acquired a human nature in addition to his divine nature. He now has both. God did not change, but acquired something different.

On these things all Christians agree. That God is “without passions,” however, is a teaching held most strongly by the reformed. Passions are the “animal desires” in us—we desire to eat and sleep, we get frustrated, happy, and perplexed, for example. Although Jesus experienced those things in his humanity here on earth, the triune God does not experience these things. We call this the impassibility of God.

God does not change His mind, regret His decisions, or get upset with man as though He were surprised.

The prophet Samuel captured this sentiment well when he told king Saul that God “will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man” (I Samuel 15:29). In other words, God does not change His mind, regret His decisions, or get upset with man as though He were surprised. For a more thorough post on this tough doctrine, see here.

The Attributes of God

Finally, the confession mentions many of the attributes of God. Attributes, or perfections, are characteristics we ascribe to God in order to help us conceive of Him. Examples of these are God’s glory, love, justice, mercy, holiness, goodness, and more. The confession lists many of these, but in truth, God is infinitely indescribable.

In dealing with the attributes of God, we must exercise caution. God is not made up of attributes like a pizza is made up of slices. Remember God being without parts? God is one, a perfectly simple unity, and we must never divide Him when speaking of Him. God is 100% of His attributes 100% of the time—so, God is absolutely and completely just and righteous, and at the same time He is absolutely and completely good and kind.

Conclusion

If there is one area of theology that should not be summed up in one blog post, it is this. Endless volumes have been written of God, and rightfully so. Additionally, if there are any areas of theology a new Christian should give priority to learning, it would be here and the person and work of Christ (more on that in later posts!). Studying the attributes of God will truly make a Christian.

The confession accurately sums up our rightful response: “To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.” The only appropriate response to studying God is to bow before Him in humility, reverence, and awe.

Next in series: God’s eternal decree >>>

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Recommended Reading:

• The Trinity: An Introduction, Scott Swain

• The Deep Things of God, Fred Sanders

• The Attributes of God: An Introduction, Gerald Bray

• The Identity and Attributes of God, Terry Johnson.

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Text of the Westminster Confession, Chapter 2:

1. There is but one only, living, and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions; immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will, for His own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him; and withal, most just, and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.

2. God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleaseth. In His sight all things are open and manifest, His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain. He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands. To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.

3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost: the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.