Believers have been given the Great Commission. Our Redeemer Jesus tells us to go and make disciples. As we approach unbelievers, the defense of our faith – what theologians call apologetics – is rooted in a basic reality which, I believe, is apparent to all of humanity. This basic reality is the Trinity.
The truth of this Trinity is easily approachable and simple for all to understand, for it is innate in God-created humanity. No arguments for the defense of our faith are greater than this inherent awareness, intrinsic to mankind.
All truth rests on our Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Innate within the human soul is the belief in a Supreme Being. In rebellion since the Fall, mankind has always had a god or a plurality of gods of his own making, which he seeks to approach by his own strength. Works- based religions – all religions – which serve these gods, are worthless, since they rely on the strength of fallen humans. Faith, by contrast, leads to eternal life. This life everlasting is a free gift of God’s love for His people.
In addressing the human inclination to determine a Supreme Being, the Big Bang Theory has been offered as a god of sorts by so-called scientists. The thinking which accompanies this secular position is at its root atheism – an existentialist’s expression of meaninglessness, presented as god. Our Creator, however, stands alone in fulfilling the yearnings within the soul of man, which requires personal comfort and hope.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit is, at some level , understood and experienced by all – whether it is acknowledged or not. Paul writes that the law of God is written in the hearts of men. All restraint of evil evident among fallen man is due to the Spirit, present in man to a lesser or greater degree This presence of the Spirit has resulted in the constraints of law and justice in societies throughout history.
The outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit – and the indwelling of that personal comforter – occurred at the start of the New Covenant. The Spirit accompanies the saving grace of God imparted to believers. At the same time, the awareness of the fruit of the Spirit cannot be totally alien to anyone, for at some level, even unbelievers seek love, joy and peace. This is an indication of the incipient presence of the Spirit, first breathed into Adam in the Garden.
In our Trinity, God the Son serves as our Forgiver. He is truly the stone of stumbling. Since man prefers his own efforts to achieve approval by his chosen god, the humble, suffering servant Jesus is anything but attractive. Natural man – proud, self determined and arrogant – is prone to reject this “loser,” hated by the religious leaders of His people and executed by the Romans. As a result, the offer of Christ’s payment for one’s sins is refused by most.
But in reality, no one can deny their wrongdoing and need for forgiveness. All are aware of their sin. Religion cannot fulfill our soul yearnings. It sends us back to the drawing board time after time as we fall short and seek peace with the god of our choosing. The Redeemer, Jesus, however, freely provides payment for our sins. His “loss” in His crucifixion is our “gain” of redemption.
In its provision of comfort, peace and hope, the Trinity wins by default, for there is no other man-constructed system – religion – which does so when we “miss the mark” – sin.
The Trinity of Christianity exists in our soul’s DNA. It is not “rocket science,” and, despite its rejection by the unbeliever, its comprehension is imparted to all mankind. Sadly, despite this natural comprehension of our true circumstances and needs, few enter through the narrow gate and are reconciled to God.
Contending for our faith as we seek to bring others to the One who made us all in His image, believers need to keep our shared humanity, and the innate nature and simplicity of our shared Truth, foremost in our minds.
“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them. ” Romans 2:14-15