TRINITY
Song & Dance God
By Roger Forster. Authentic Media. 125 pages. £6.99
ISBN 1 85078 829 5
This is the third book in a series by one of the founder leaders of the Ichthus Christian Fellowship in South London. He endeavours to tackle the arguments for, attractions of and objections to a 'Triune God', recognising that the Trinity is a unique Christian doctrine and a point at which we touch profundities. Before attempting to demonstrate the philosophical necessity of a plural Godhead and the experience that Christian believers have in common, the biblical credentials of Trinitarianism are established.
I found myself most at home where the book looks at the Scriptures and the different biblical pictures and endeavours to put them together to provide a coherent understanding. Interesting exegetical points are made as, for instance, the comment on Matthew 28.18: 'It is interesting to note that the word "Name" is in the singular in the Greek text, but the name is of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.' Expressions like the Nicene Creed's words 'very God of God' and Origen's phrase 'the eternal generation of the Son of God' receive attention.
Undoubtedly some will find the book stimulating and thought-provoking. It certainly underlines the mystery of God's being. Some of the chapters, however, overwhelmed me with words - like chapter 8 with its 16 analogies to help the reader reflect on the Trinity - mathematical, dimensional, psychological, apapetical, philosophical, theological, relational, universal, experiental, anthropomorphical, reflectorial, theatrical, heliological, fluvial, trisagional and ornithological.
My main problem with the book is that I cannot think of any enquirer about the Christian faith that I have known who has asked the questions with which the book deals. I wonder, for example, if many are helped in their journey towards faith in our Lord Jesus Christ through first understanding the philosophical arguments for the Trinity. Can the Trinity be explained? Is it not a matter of revelation and understanding following upon our new birth and then confirmed by experience?
Derek Prime,
Derek Prime was for 18 years pastor of Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh, and lives still in Edinburgh.
