Unveiling the Trinity: Exploring the Nature of Jesus and the Incarnation
I recently received a question about the nature of Jesus and the incarnation, which delves into the mystery of the Trinity:
“Sorry to trouble you, but I have only one question: Is God the Father and Jesus His Son the same, God Himself in the flesh when He walked the earth? I am still struggling with this concept. When Jesus asked His Father, was He essentially talking to Himself?”
Thanks so much for the question, and it is a good question when asked genuinely. It is obviously a very deep and complex topic that covers a lot of Scripture (and history) to fully make sense of, but I’ll try and keep this brief to cover the key points.
To gain a better understanding of this, we should turn to John 1 and explore the relationship between Jesus and the Father, as well as consider insights from early church fathers and theological scholarship:
John 1:1–3
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
All things were created through Him,
and apart from Him, not one thing was created that has been created.”
This passage from John’s Gospel presents the profound nature of Jesus, referred to as “the Word.” He is both God and with God, emphasising His divinity and unity with the Father. Early church fathers, such as Athanasius, emphasised the divinity of Christ and His role in the economy of salvation.
Genesis 1:1, 3
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. … Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
In Genesis, God’s creative act through His spoken word underscores the creative power of the Word. Early theologians like Tertullian, who coined the term “Trinity,” and later scholars, such as Augustine, explored the concept of the Triune God.
Psalms 33:6
“The heavens were made by the word of the LORD, and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.”
This verse highlights the creative power of God’s Word, which aligns with the understanding of Christ as the divine Word. Early church fathers, like Irenaeus, played a role in affirming Christ’s divinity and His significance in the salvation narrative.
Moving forward, in the book of Daniel, we encounter Messianic visions that describe the Son of Man, who is granted authority and a kingdom similar to God’s own. This foreshadows the incarnation and the fulfilment of Daniel’s vision.
Daniel 7:13–14
“I continued watching in the night visions,
and I saw One like a son of man
coming with the clouds of heaven.
He approached the Ancient of Days
and was escorted before Him.
He was given authority to rule,
and glory, and a kingdom;
so that those of every people,
nation, and language
should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and His kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.”
Ancient Jews recognized this as the concept of “the two powers in heaven,” possibly implying a binitarian understanding that acknowledges two distinct persons within God: the Father and His Word. Only in the New Testament period do we see the full recognition of the Holy Spirit as God, rather than a separate or lesser being (John 14:15–31).
The New Testament further clarifies these theological concepts, especially regarding the incarnation:
John 1:14
“The Word became flesh
and took up residence among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”Philippians 2:6–7
“[Jesus], who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.
Instead He emptied Himself
by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.”
So, when Jesus was praying, He was communicating with the Father, emphasising the distinction between them, even though they are one God. This concept is encapsulated in the notion of the Trinity, often summarised as “one what, three who’s.”
These Biblical references and insights from early church fathers provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex yet foundational doctrine of the Trinity.
More Biblical References
Colossians 1:15–16: In Colossians, it is emphasised that Christ is the image of the invisible God and the creator of all things, reinforcing His divinity.
Hebrews 1:1–3: The book of Hebrews highlights Jesus as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, underscoring His divine nature.
Matthew 28:19: In the Great Commission, Jesus instructs His disciples to baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, providing early evidence of the Trinitarian formula.
2 Corinthians 13:14: This verse speaks of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, reinforcing the triune nature of God.
Early Church Fathers and the Development of Doctrine
Early church fathers, such as Augustine, played a pivotal role in formulating the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasising the nature of the Godhead as three persons in one essence.
Irenaeus (c. 130–202): In “Against Heresies,” Irenaeus refuted Gnostic views and affirmed the divinity of Christ, emphasising the importance of the Son in the economy of salvation.
Tertullian (c. 155–240): Tertullian coined the term “Trinity” (Latin: “Trinitas”) and laid the foundation for early Trinitarian thought in his writings.
Athanasius (c. 296–373): Athanasius, known for his work “On the Incarnation,” defended the divinity of Christ against the Arian heresy, emphasising that the Word (Logos) became incarnate to save humanity.
Nicaea and Nicene Creed: The First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD played a pivotal role in addressing theological controversies about the nature of Christ and produced the Nicene Creed, which affirms the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father.
Augustine of Hippo (354–430): Augustine played a crucial role in formulating the doctrine of the Trinity. His work “De Trinitate” explored the nature of the Godhead as three persons in one essence.
If you want a good, brief introduction to this topic, I recommend this book by Roger E. Olson and Christopher A. Hall: The Trinity (Guides to theology).
These early church fathers and theological developments in church history are essential in understanding how the doctrine of the Trinity evolved and was articulated in response to theological challenges. Their writings and creeds continue to be foundational for Christian theology, even today.
