How can God be three persons but still one God?

 

The doctrine of the Trinity stands as one of Christianity's most profound mysteries. God exists as one divine being in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is fully God, not merely a part of God. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father—yet there is only one God. This isn't a contradiction, but rather a description of God's complex nature that transcends human categories.

 

Scripture reveals this truth progressively. The Old Testament emphasizes God's oneness (Deuteronomy 6:4), while hinting at plurality (Genesis 1:26). The New Testament unveils God's triune nature more explicitly through Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), and apostolic blessings (2 Corinthians 13:14). We see one divine essence subsisting in three persons who relate to one another eternally in perfect communion.

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Historic Christian orthodoxy formulated this doctrine carefully. The Father eternally begets the Son, the Son is eternally begotten, and the Spirit eternally proceeds from them—all sharing the same divine essence without division. This differs from modalism (God merely appearing in different modes) and tritheism (three separate gods). The Trinity is neither a mathematical contradiction nor a logical impossibility, but rather a unique reality beyond complete human comprehension.

 

Christian theology emphasizes that while the Trinity exceeds our understanding, it remains essential. Each divine person performs distinct yet unified operations in creation, redemption, and sanctification. We worship not three gods, but one God in three persons. As Calvin noted, the Trinity reveals God accommodating himself to our finite minds while remaining incomprehensible in his infinite majesty. 

 

 

For Further Reading:

 

The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything, Fred Sanders. A modern exploration of how Trinitarian theology impacts Christian life and thought.

 

Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith, Michael Reeves. An accessible and engaging introduction that shows how the Trinity is the foundation of Christian joy.

 

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance, Bruce Ware. A practical exploration of how each divine person relates to believers and how Trinitarian theology shapes Christian living.