I would basically agree with this. If 'the Trinity' is a true doctrine, then my original post expresses a beautiful and important insight (that I gathered from those more insightful than myself).darinhouston wrote:I've been thinking about Matt's position quite a bit as I've travelled over the past few days. It really speaks to me, but I haven't been able to put my finger on how to communicate my reservation. Here's how I see it -- if we begin with the proposition that the Trinity (or some plurality) is true, then I think this is a beautiful image which illuminates that relationship (if true) in a meaningful way and something very worthwhile as a meditation on the love of God and His revelation to us. However, the problem I have is that I think (as beautiful as it is), it is still dependent on a big presupposition and has low value (to me at least) as "evidence" or as a "proof" for the existence of the Trinity. This may just be where I have to leave it.
I am one who favors making doctrinal choices and seeing where they lead. Of course, it might be 'safer' to remain undecided on most every controversial doctrine and, frankly, I'm glad some people do that even more than I do (I, even, do it more than most... as most 'Steve Gregg' fans do). But there's also something to be said for making a choice and arguing for / defending it... to see if it stands up to scrutiny. I do this with the full knowledge that it may not, but I think I have a better chance of finding out the truth or falsehood of a Christian doctrine by preceding as if it is true to see what logically follows and flows from it.
In the particular case of the Trinity, I found myself at a crossroads a few years ago. I could have remained undecided or I could have picked a particular view. I felt there was a worthy case to be made for the Trinity, so I jumped in as an arguer and defender for the doctrine. And, so far, I have found the doctrine to be much stronger than I originally anticipated (just my opinion). Not only does it have great explanatory power, but I now see it as extremely beautiful (whereas before it was just a piece of doctrine).