Over the holidays, I read The Story of the Trinity by Bryan M. Litfin. It was a great read, tracing the doctrine of the Trinity through the Old Testament into the New Testament and then into the early Church. His description of the history of the Nicene Creed was particularly helpful. Litfin writes brilliantly, so it’s easy to read, but he’s also covering some significant theology. I’d really recommend it.
If you have done the Commission Level One Training Course, called Theology For Life (https://www.commission.global/training/tfl), which I run each year at Winchester, you will recognise some similar content and themes from the first session. We cover the Nicene Creed and think about the truth that Jesus is of the same divine substance as the Father. He is fully and truly God. So, I’m looking forward to incorporating Liftin’s material next year.
I’ve highlighted lots of quotes to refer back to later, but one of my favourites was actually a quote from Plato, the Greek philosopher:
“In Plato’s story of the world’s creation, known as the Timaeus, he wrote, “Now to find the maker and father of this universe is hard enough, and even if I succeeded, to declare him to everyone is impossible.” (p.62)
Greek philosophers tended to agree that there was a creator of the Universe, one God over all others so to speak. But, they thought that finding him or explaining him would be absolutely impossible.
One amazing thing about the Christian faith is we believe we can find and know and declare the maker and Father of the Universe. The Greek Philosophers were right it would be impossible for mere human beings to think their way to finding God. But, what if God chose to reveal himself? That’s what we believe God has done and it’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus, born a human being, was God in human flesh. He, therefore, reveals who God is. The one who created all things was seeable, touchable, knowable.
1 John, speaking about Jesus, begins “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – the life was made manifest and we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us – that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ”
Christians believe the testimony of eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Through faith, we are made alive by the Holy Spirit, in such a way that we have personal relationships with Jesus, who is God. Therefore we have found and can truly know God. And therefore, we can declare Him too. This is one of the many reasons I’d rather be a Christian than a Greek Philosopher. If you’re a Christian, rejoice that you have found God. Pray you would have opportunities to declare Him to others today.
If you’re not yet a Christian, other religions founded by mere men rely upon human thinking. Christianity depends upon the revelation that God Himself has given. Try reading John’s Gospel and meeting Jesus Christ for yourself, or contact us at Christ Church Fareham. We’d love to help you find God for yourself.
What
These are laws for the nation of Israel.
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