Is the Trinity Important?

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 01 Jul 2024, 11:00

I'm reading a book by Rev Gerald Skillicorn named Revisiting The Trinity. Father Gerry, a retired Episcopal Priest, was the guy who broke through to me, 25ish years ago and made me see that, "NO", there is nothing I'd done that necessarily was separating God from me. He wasn't saying to me "Yeah, but that one thing, that's too much pal."

Anyway, Father Gerry (rather the Holy Spirit, through him) has whacked me again. Of course I know about the Trinity, and that Jesus sent the HS to be with us and in us, but I was sort of like "Meh, OK. Whatever." With this book, I understand why it matters. Jesus' love flows to us, those who know Him. The HS's love flows through us, to everyone/anyone else who needs it. As far as I remember, according to the Gospels, Jesus ALWAYS meet the immediate need of those who asked. Of course He went on to fill their spiritual needs but He meet their physical needs too.

A couple years ago a cousin was jammed up. Jammed up bad enough to ask me for help even though we'd spoken twice in many years, due mainly to really bad choice he'd made. Anyway, I was in a position to help, so I did. No teachin', no preachin', just helped. We were in a similar spot with one of our grown daughters a couple weeks ago. Because I'm a Murican Male, I know how difficult it is to ask for help, but I know it's shouldn't be. Second to Worshiping God, I suppose our only reason for being is to help others. And because we're a bunch of hardheaded idiots, He gives us the Spirit to help.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 01 Jul 2024, 11:14

Without intending to turn this political, but this concept - the HS flowing through us - makes me think long and hard about what's going on at our southern border. Good people don't just pack a bag and leave everything behind to walk across the desert to a new country if things are well at home. To the extent we're able, and maybe even beyond that, we should help.

1. I understand that criminals will, and do, indeed try to walk across the border if it means they're free to commit crimes under cover as innocent migrants. But those guys are criminals no matter where they act, and we shouldn't lump them in with innocents. We don't do that with our homegrown criminals and terrorists. We set them aside from the rest of us.

2. I understand that we are probably past the point of 'being able' to help more migrants. At least painlessly. They're taxing our systems - jobs, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services are all stretched thin. Maxed out. Over saturated. But are we really tapped out? I think we probably are, and that we should stop the flow for now, so that we can offer those who've already come in a chance to not live in poverty for the next three generations. But really, maybe we can help a few more than we think we can. You know, like the starfish who only see's one set of footprints on the beach.

. . . just thinking out loud as I consider this whole messy thing

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 01 Jul 2024, 16:01

The Holy Spirit is what allows Christ's love to flow through us and into others. Without the Holy Spirit, we'd be trying to do it on our own and there'd be no point to the abrogation of the Law. We'd just be reformed Pharisees.

I'm going to check out this author. Thanks, Phred!

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 01 Jul 2024, 16:15

Hugo Drax wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 16:01 I'm going to check out this author. Thanks, Phred!

He writes like he talks. Slowly. Precisely. Repetitively.
He's not writing to/for scholars.

coco · Post by **coco** » 01 Jul 2024, 16:45

Yes.

Next question.

SlowToke · Post by **SlowToke** » 01 Jul 2024, 19:46

Seems we can help so many more by making the place they are escaping better. That's a more sustainable plan. Besides, the vast majority of illegal immigrants come here to make what's considered in there country a high wage. They literally can live for years off what they make working low paying jobs here in the US in their country. Most ultimately return home once they've made enought for them and their families to live high on the hog for awhile then they come back and do it again. That's the reality. I have a Mexican friend who tells me the truth about the majority of it. They love Mexico. He is a legal citizen but has many relatives here illegally who do just that. He has an uncle who works here six months then returns to Mexico and lives off the six months earnings for the rest of the year in Mexico. The majority are not fleeing persecution or seeking asylum or whatever.

SlowToke · Post by **SlowToke** » 01 Jul 2024, 19:48

Oh, and the trinity is important but probably understanding it isn't. It works whether we understand it or not.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 02 Jul 2024, 15:27

coco wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 16:45 Yes.

Next question.

The Backstreet Boys called and said "Tell me why?"

Perhaps it's just me, but I always ranked the Godhead in order of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I know I shouldn't but I did. Why is the Trinity important? What role does each Person play? Could those roles have been consolidated in the Father and the Son? All three are eternal? Was the HS 'dormant' before Jesus sent Him? Was the Spirit in Jesus while/when He was fully human? This is fascinating stuff coco - help me unpack it if you can.

Hugo Drax · Post by **Hugo Drax** » 02 Jul 2024, 18:57

FredS wrote: 02 Jul 2024, 15:27
coco wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 16:45 Yes.

Next question.
The Backstreet Boys called and said "Tell me why?"

Perhaps it's just me, but I always ranked the Godhead in order of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I know I shouldn't but I did. Why is the Trinity important? What role does each Person play? Could those roles have been consolidated in the Father and the Son? All three are eternal? Was the HS 'dormant' before Jesus sent Him? Was the Spirit in Jesus while/when He was fully human? This is fascinating stuff coco - help me unpack it if you can.

I'm not Coco, so bear that in mind. And I'm only going to unpack part of it for you. The Spirit is eternal and was not dormant before Pentecost. Many times in the old Testament you will see the Holy Spirit come and go upon a man. Temporary. After that first Pentecost, the HS dwells within the believer permanently as a free gift. When we sin, he doesn't leave us. We've just turned our back on him for a hot minute. The Holy Spirit lives in us, Fred, and that's so cool I can't even explain how cool it is.

FredS · Post by **FredS** » 03 Jul 2024, 06:35

Hugo Drax wrote: 02 Jul 2024, 18:57
FredS wrote: 02 Jul 2024, 15:27
coco wrote: 01 Jul 2024, 16:45 Yes.

Next question.
The Backstreet Boys called and said "Tell me why?"

Perhaps it's just me, but I always ranked the Godhead in order of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. I know I shouldn't but I did. Why is the Trinity important? What role does each Person play? Could those roles have been consolidated in the Father and the Son? All three are eternal? Was the HS 'dormant' before Jesus sent Him? Was the Spirit in Jesus while/when He was fully human? This is fascinating stuff coco - help me unpack it if you can.
I'm not Coco, so bear that in mind. And I'm only going to unpack part of it for you. The Spirit is eternal and was not dormant before Pentecost. Many times in the old Testament you will see the Holy Spirit come and go upon a man. Temporary. After that first Pentecost, the HS dwells within the believer permanently as a free gift. When we sin, he doesn't leave us. We've just turned our back on him for a hot minute. The Holy Spirit lives in us, Fred, and that's so cool I can't even explain how cool it is.

Exactly. My questions were, I suppose, more thought exercises about this thing that's so cool we can't fully explain it. The one who was present at the dawn of creation is now in me. God does what God does because He's perfect, and each person of the Godhead has a role in the perfect plan.

Thanks for walking along beside me for a few minutes Paul.