The Trinity as Metaphor and Other Variations on the Theme of Three d Oth V i ti th Th f Th
Google Search on the Trinity as Metaphor Google Search on the Trinity as Metaphor Yields many similes, few metaphors The Trinity is… e y s Like the three parts of an egg Shell, white, and yolk Like the three manifestations of H2O Ice, water, and steam Like a three leaf clover: three leaves, one clover
Heresys of the similes Heresys of the similes Modalism - the idea that God manifests Him(her)self differently at different times and in various contexts (like H2O). d i i t t (lik H2O) Partialism - the idea that each part of the trinity comprises a part of the whole of God (like the three clover leaves).
The Standard Model The Standard Model
David Henson says: David Henson says: In essence, the Trinity is a metaphor about relationships… a metaphor (that) isn’t meant to be believed in. Rather, it is an a e ap o ( a ) s ea o be be e ed a e , s a arrow pointing toward something ineffable behind it. (Th (The Trinity) doesn’t tell us about God. It tells us about T i it ) d ’t t ll b t G d It t ll b t ourselves. Human meaning is created through relationships.
Forest Church Forest Church – the Trinity is suggestive of God s Nature the Trinity is suggestive of God’s Nature •God above us •God within us •God among us •God among us •This interpretation “liberates the mind to explore creation more creatively”
An Ontological Argument An Ontological Argument The Existence of our Universe (any universe?) depends on three things: Th E i t f U i ( i ?) d d th thi 1. Space-time 2. Matter-energy 3. Consciousness Each of these three things are like the refrain in the song “Love and Marriage” i.e., you can’t have one without the other(s).
I suggest the Trinity is a metaphor for the Universe I suggest the Trinity is a metaphor for the Universe… God the Father represents space-time, source unknowable, ever-present, G d th F th t ti k bl t going on forever. God the Son takes on the role of matter-energy, God manifesting itself in the world (space-time) so that we can have eternal life (something of which we can be consciousness) which we can be consciousness). Consciousness plays the part of the Holy Spirit. It allows us to recognize the will of God i e the will of God, i.e., it allows us to experience the Universe. it allows us to experience the Universe
Revised Model Revised Model
As Above so Below: As Above so Below: Humans – created in the image of God (the Universe) Three parts of a human psyche (POV of a psychologist) p p y ( p y g ) 1 Ph 1. Physical i l 2. Emotional 3. Mental
Three Parts of the Human Brain Three Parts of the Human Brain Evolutionary perspective – the Triune Brain 1 B 1. Brain stem – Reptilian brain i t R tili b i 2. Limbic system – Paleo-mammalian 2. Limbic system Paleo mammalian 3. Neo-cortex – Neo-mammalian
The Brain’s Role in Human Psyche and Behavior The Brain’s Role in Human Psyche and Behavior Anatomical Primary Behavior P Portion: ti C Control of: t l f I iti t d Initiated: Brain stem Physical Innate Li Limbic system bi t E Emotional ti l L Learned d Neo-cortex Mental Experimental
How do You Apply the Trinity to the Human Psyche? How do You Apply the Trinity to the Human Psyche? Does the Physical Space we occupy, our territory, represent the dominion of the Father and our unseen, unknowable, innate nature? Does our actual body, our flesh and bone so vulnerable to the elements of our environment, play the role of the Son that dwells among us? Does our consciousness, our perceptions about the world, our intuitions, our thoughts come across in the guise of the Holy Spirit? g g y p
Other famous troikas Other famous troikas F Forces of Physics f Ph i G Gravity, Electromagnetic, Nuclear it El t ti N l Building blocks of Chemistry Proton, Electron, Neutron Dimensions of emotion Arousal, Pleasure, Control Source Universal vowels /ah/, /oo/, /ee/ Components of speech production p p p Tongue, Jaw, Lips g , , p
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