Comments on: How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/ By Russell D. Moore. Russell D. Moore serves as the teaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky. In addition, Dr. Moore is the Dean of the School of Theology and Senior Vice President for Academic Administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Find sermons and other resources to help Christians engage the culture from a biblical worldview at www.russellmoore.com. Sun, 19 May 2013 19:28:50 +0000 By: Theology Round-Up –September 2012 | Cheesewearing Theology http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-205724 Theology Round-Up –September 2012 | Cheesewearing Theology Sun, 30 Sep 2012 15:00:37 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-205724 [...] Nature of the Atonement’. A neglected theory of the atonement? Russell Moore looks at how to explain the Trinity to young children. Pastor Mack talks about preserving the mystery of the [...] [...] Nature of the Atonement’. A neglected theory of the atonement? Russell Moore looks at how to explain the Trinity to young children. Pastor Mack talks about preserving the mystery of the [...]

]]> By: Gary W. Kelly Sr. http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203766 Gary W. Kelly Sr. Sun, 16 Sep 2012 23:23:23 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203766 Created in His image, 3 in 1. We are a spirit, which has a soul, and lives in a body. He not only lives in your spirit and soul but in your body as well. Just as God is a Trinity, three in one, He created man in this same image, three in one. Just as God is a Spirit, man is also first and foremost an eternal spirit, that has a mind and a temporary body. Without understanding this, one will never appreciate not only God's creation, but one's complete self, nor to "know no man after the flesh" (2Corninthian 5:17). "For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 2:11) "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18-23 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion. Job 32:8-10 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 Has He been permitted to manifest Himself to your body as He has to your spirit and soul? (John 14 & 16) More at: http://www.earstohear.net/Kingdom/trinity.html Created in His image, 3 in 1.

We are a spirit, which has a soul, and lives in a body. He not only lives in your spirit and soul but in your body as well.

Just as God is a Trinity, three in one, He created man in this same image, three in one. Just as God is a Spirit, man is also first and foremost an eternal spirit, that has a mind and a temporary body.

Without understanding this, one will never appreciate not only God’s creation, but one’s complete self, nor to “know no man after the flesh” (2Corninthian 5:17).

“For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:11)

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. Genesis 1:26

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18-23

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion. Job 32:8-10

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

Has He been permitted to manifest Himself to your body as He has to your spirit and soul? (John 14 & 16)

More at: http://www.earstohear.net/Kingdom/trinity.html

]]> By: Saturday Shout-Outs: & Ministry Links | H.B. Charles Jr. http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203532 Saturday Shout-Outs: & Ministry Links | H.B. Charles Jr. Sat, 15 Sep 2012 12:02:56 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203532 [...] How do you explain the Trinity to children? [...] [...] How do you explain the Trinity to children? [...]

]]> By: buy Undercounter ice maker http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203416 buy Undercounter ice maker Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:43:09 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203416 It is actually a nice and useful piece of information. I'm glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing. It is actually a nice and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: The Social Conservative Review: September 13, 2012 | allfiredupmedia.com http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203286 The Social Conservative Review: September 13, 2012 | allfiredupmedia.com Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:11:17 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203286 [...] “How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?,” Moore to the Point [...] [...] “How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?,” Moore to the Point [...]

]]> By: Flotsam and jetsam (9/12) | Everyday Theology http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203015 Flotsam and jetsam (9/12) | Everyday Theology Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:37:01 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203015 [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children: Sometimes we seek a quick analogy for children because we want to put our kids out of their mystery. If the Trinity is an easy explanation (it’s like a shamrock; it’s like water, ice, and steam), we can “move on.” We’re afraid if we say that the Trinity is in some ways beyond comprehension that our kids won’t trust us to tell them with confidence about the truth of the gospel. [...] [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children: Sometimes we seek a quick analogy for children because we want to put our kids out of their mystery. If the Trinity is an easy explanation (it’s like a shamrock; it’s like water, ice, and steam), we can “move on.” We’re afraid if we say that the Trinity is in some ways beyond comprehension that our kids won’t trust us to tell them with confidence about the truth of the gospel. [...]

]]> By: Rick Weinert http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-203014 Rick Weinert Wed, 12 Sep 2012 13:35:26 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-203014 @Peter, While I appreciate your desire to bring the concept of the Trinity within grasp, and your concern about heresy, your Trinity illustrations also present a form of modalism. Your illustrations miss the whole point of Moore's blog. For example, your name illustration: I may be Dad, Rick & Grandpa, but those are three names for one person, three ways of thinking about the same person. God is three persons. Dad, Rick & Grandpa don't communicate with each other; they don't love each other; they don't submit to one another; nor do they ever say, "Let us make ..." When I am talking with someone who is wrestling with the mystery of the Trinity I will often say, "Look, I can't explain what the Trinity is, but I can explain what it's not. You share your illustration of the Trinity with me and I'll show you the heresy it expresses. The Trinity is a mystery. How can we expect finite individuals to understand an infinite God?" @Peter, While I appreciate your desire to bring the concept of the Trinity within grasp, and your concern about heresy, your Trinity illustrations also present a form of modalism. Your illustrations miss the whole point of Moore’s blog. For example, your name illustration: I may be Dad, Rick & Grandpa, but those are three names for one person, three ways of thinking about the same person. God is three persons. Dad, Rick & Grandpa don’t communicate with each other; they don’t love each other; they don’t submit to one another; nor do they ever say, “Let us make …”

When I am talking with someone who is wrestling with the mystery of the Trinity I will often say, “Look, I can’t explain what the Trinity is, but I can explain what it’s not. You share your illustration of the Trinity with me and I’ll show you the heresy it expresses. The Trinity is a mystery. How can we expect finite individuals to understand an infinite God?”

]]> By: Mere Links 09.11.12 - Mere Comments http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202818 Mere Links 09.11.12 - Mere Comments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:01:14 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202818 [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? Russell D. Moore Sometimes we seek a quick analogy for children because we want to put our kids out of their mystery. If the Trinity is an easy explanation (it’s like a shamrock; it’s like water, ice, and steam), we can “move on.” [...] [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? Russell D. Moore Sometimes we seek a quick analogy for children because we want to put our kids out of their mystery. If the Trinity is an easy explanation (it’s like a shamrock; it’s like water, ice, and steam), we can “move on.” [...]

]]> By: Peter http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202777 Peter Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:00:42 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202777 There are two analogies I use that, on a logical level, work very well. One works well for children: a name. I only have one name. I have a first, middle, and last name. Each of which on their own are completely correctly called my name. My first name is completely distinct from my middle and last names, and my middle and last names are completely distinct from one another. The other is even better, but children aren't likely to understand it: the truth in a logical system in reality. By Godel's Incompleteness Theorem, in any logical system in reality that's consistent with reality, there are three kinds of truth: axioms, necessary truths implied by the axioms, and things that are true that cannot be proven by the axioms. They are all the truth and none is more or less true than any other. They are all distinct from one another. Furthermore, the Bible refers to each Person of the Trinity as Truth. Some analogies I stay away from as much as possible: mainly the H2O one. That's pure, 100% modalism. There are two analogies I use that, on a logical level, work very well. One works well for children: a name.

I only have one name. I have a first, middle, and last name. Each of which on their own are completely correctly called my name. My first name is completely distinct from my middle and last names, and my middle and last names are completely distinct from one another.

The other is even better, but children aren’t likely to understand it: the truth in a logical system in reality. By Godel’s Incompleteness Theorem, in any logical system in reality that’s consistent with reality, there are three kinds of truth: axioms, necessary truths implied by the axioms, and things that are true that cannot be proven by the axioms. They are all the truth and none is more or less true than any other. They are all distinct from one another.

Furthermore, the Bible refers to each Person of the Trinity as Truth.

Some analogies I stay away from as much as possible: mainly the H2O one. That’s pure, 100% modalism.

]]> By: How Do You Explain the Trinity to Your Children?-Russell Moore | First Baptist Student Ministry http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202672 How Do You Explain the Trinity to Your Children?-Russell Moore | First Baptist Student Ministry Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:53:28 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202672 [...] the rest of the post by clicking here. GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...] [...] the rest of the post by clicking here. GA_googleAddAttr(”AdOpt”, “1″); GA_googleAddAttr(”Origin”, “other”); [...]

]]> By: Bits & Piece (9/10/12) | Better Things Ahead http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202662 Bits & Piece (9/10/12) | Better Things Ahead Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:29:41 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202662 [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? - “…[W]e ought to boldly say to our children, ‘God is One and God is three. I can’t fully explain all of that because that’s how big and mysterious God and his ways are. Isn’t that wonderful?’ When your child says, ‘That boggles my mind,’ don’t respond with a worried handwringing but with a twinkle in your eye. ‘I know!’ you say. ‘Me too! Isn’t that wild, and great!’ [...] [...] How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? - “…[W]e ought to boldly say to our children, ‘God is One and God is three. I can’t fully explain all of that because that’s how big and mysterious God and his ways are. Isn’t that wonderful?’ When your child says, ‘That boggles my mind,’ don’t respond with a worried handwringing but with a twinkle in your eye. ‘I know!’ you say. ‘Me too! Isn’t that wild, and great!’ [...]

]]> By: How Do We Talk About the Trinity With Our Kids « The Fleming Files http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202646 How Do We Talk About the Trinity With Our Kids « The Fleming Files Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:03:35 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202646 [...] “How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?”- Russell D. Moore Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...] [...] “How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?”- Russell D. Moore Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. [...]

]]> By: Mitchell Landress http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202642 Mitchell Landress Mon, 10 Sep 2012 13:33:42 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202642 This parent of three (soon to be four) is very grateful for your words of wisdom. As always, well said. Thank you. This parent of three (soon to be four) is very grateful for your words of wisdom. As always, well said. Thank you.

]]> By: Moore to the Point – How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? « Think Biblically http://www.russellmoore.com/2012/09/10/how-do-you-explain-the-trinity-to-children/#comment-202634 Moore to the Point – How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children? « Think Biblically Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:37:40 +0000 http://www.russellmoore.com/?p=9292#comment-202634 [...] Moore to the Point – How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?. [...] [...] Moore to the Point – How Do You Explain the Trinity to Children?. [...]

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