Linked Together: The Trinity

Two posts for you weekend reading.

In “Let Us”
Is “let us” in Genesis 1:26 a reference to the Trinity even though the author and the first readers probably didn’t understand it this way? Tom Schreiner says yes and explains why (Justin Taylor).

In “I Am” (and More)
A primer on eternal Sonship with four scriptural proofs (Kevin DeYoung). 

Without the eternality of the Son, we do not have a Christ who can fully save because we do not have a Christ who shares in all the attributes of deity. Without eternal Sonship, we cannot affirm that the Father has always been the Father. And if the Father has not always been in communion with the Son, then love cannot be eternal, for the Father would have had to create another being in order to give and receive love. Likewise, it is only with eternal Sonship that the economic Trinity (that which we see about God in the unfolding of redemptive history) corresponds to any real ultimate truth about God. The God who is must be the God who always was.

When I get time, I’ll add a link to this piece on the theological term page for eternal Sonship. (I see that I need to tweek the definition, too.)

Thankful Thursday

Not the actual golden retriever puppy from the walk this morning, but close.

This week I’ve been thankful for 

• noticeably longer days, especially in the evening. We’re gaining 5 minutes of daylight per day now and I’m thankful for every one of those minutes.
• puppies. There are a couple of puppies I see regularly when I’m walking my son’s big, black German shepherd—and he loves them. He’s six years old, but he still loves running with puppies through the fresh snowy woods. I’m thankful that I can get my cute puppy fix with other peoples’ puppies, or I’d be tempted to get one of my own. And the last thing we need is another dog in the extended family.
• for my grandchildren, all four of them. The baby is getting rolls of baby fat, and smiling and laughing. I’m thankful he is growing and developing. I’m thankful the older three are growing and learning, too.
• for opportunities for my youngest son and a project that suits his talents. (And for the snow shovelling he’s doing right now as I write this.)
• God’s promises, and Jesus Christ, in whom (and through whom) they all find their “Yes!”

Also thankful today:

• Kim Shay
• Persis

What are you thankful for? 

Theological Term of the Week

theology proper
The branch of theology that studies what the Bible teaches about God, and includes the study of God’s existence, his attributes, his works, and the Trinity. 

• Two scripture texts that teach something about God’s nature: 

For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4 ESV)

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. (Psalm 18:30-32 ESV)

• From the Westminster Confession of Faith:

CHAPTER II.

Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

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, long-suffering, 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.

II. 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.

III. 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.

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