Common Ground: The Holy Trinity

"The Trinity" by Artus Wolffort

Saying that the Holy Trinity is "common ground" is like saying that everyone likes the show Magnum P.I. Of course they do; stop wasting my time. Similarly, you might assert that "all Christians believe in the Trinity." But you would be wrong! Some Christian groups do not accept the Trinity as defined by Catholics and Protestants.

Belief in the Holy Trinity holds that God is one being existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each person is fully and equally God, sharing the same divine essence, yet they are distinct in their relations and roles.

It's difficult to explain, and I often wrestle with this concept. You have to begin with the understanding and belief that there's only one God. From there, we grapple with how God can be three separate beings. Starting with the Father and the Son, I try to explain it to my friends this way: I have a son; my blood runs through him; therefore, he is a part of me that has been taken to form something new—fully me and fully himself. Applying this to God, He created a human being, His Son, which was part of Him; therefore, He is part of God—not a different God, but part of the same God, just as my son is part of me. It's not an airtight analogy, but it helps convey how it works in my mind.

Next, we discuss the Holy Spirit. One description of the Holy Spirit that I am particularly fond of is "the active, personal presence of God at work in the world." Thomas Aquinas describes it as the "bond of love between the Father and the Son." I like both of these descriptions and use them to expand my understanding of the Holy Spirit. I can feel the love I have for my son even when he's not around. It's similar to when someone says, "there's a lot of love here in this room"; they're not referring to one particular person but to a feeling created among people, as love is an emotion that can only be generated by living, breathing beings capable of love. So, to break this down in one sentence: The Holy Trinity is God—the Father; a part of Him, which is His Son (Jesus Christ); and the love that connects the Father and the Son, ever-present all around us at all times, is the Holy Spirit.

This complex and beautiful foundation we stand on is incredibly intricate but is shared by Catholics and Protestants alike. The doctrine of the Trinity unites us as followers of the same God. Rooted in Scripture, affirmed by the early Church, and expressed in worship services of all kinds, this belief remains a fundamental point of unity in an otherwise divided Christian world. The Trinity is not a minor doctrine—it is a major part of the foundation of Christian faith. This common ground offers an opportunity for greater dialogue and mutual understanding. So, stop worrying so much about what clothes the Pastor or Priest is wearing… there is plenty of time to discuss all that stuff later. It’s minor logistics when we are talking about eternal salvation. Call BS, leave some comments, or both. God Bless!