Shared Life: The Trinity and the Fellowship of God's people

by Donald MacLeod

What is the Trinity? And does it really matter? The Trinity is a current 'hot potato' in the Christian church. Recently some best-selling authors in America have had their books withdrawn from the market when their beliefs in this area have come under scrutiny. If your understanding of God is wrong, it follows that your other ideas may be wrong too. Donald Macleod shows us why that is the case. 'The doctrine of the Trinity is not simply something to be believed, but something that ought to affect our lives profoundly', says Donald Macleod in this useful book that teaches us about the concept and implications of the doctrine of the Trinity.

Genres: Theology

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 1994

About the author

Donald MacLeod is a Scottish theologian.

Macleod studied at the University of Glasgow and the Free Church College before being ordained as a minister of the Free Church of Scotland in 1964. He served as professor of systematic theology at the Free Church College from 1978 to 2011, and as principal from 1999 to 2010.

In 1996, Macleod was cleared of allegations that he had sexually assaulted four women. The Sheriff court found that "the women had all lied in the witness box to further the ends of Professor Macleod's enemies in the Free Church of Scotland." A number of people who believed Macleod should be put on trial by the General Assembly then formed the Free Church Defence Association and ultimately a new denomination, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). However, Johnston McKay notes that although on the surface the split was about Donald Macleod, he believes it was about theology since Macleod belonged to the more "modernizing" wing of the Free Church.

In 2011, a Festschrift was published in Macleod's honor. The People's Theologian: Writings in Honour of Donald Macleod (ISBN 1845505840) included contributions from Richard Gaffin, Derek Thomas, and Carl Trueman.

Reviews

[Jeremy Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Michael Reeves’ “Delighting the Trinity.” It takes trinitarian theology and makes it intensely practical and delightfully devotional! That being said, if you're looking for a more in-depth exploration of the doctrine of the trinity, you won't find it here. But, if you're looking for an introduction that will grow your devotion to Christ, this book is for you! The doctrine that there’s one God in three persons is one of the more elusive doctrines to understand, but as Macleod argues, it is the doctrines that beckons our highest worship. He writes, “If God were small enough to be understood he would not be great enough to be worshipped. It would certainly be fatal to any doctrine of God that it contained nothing inscrutable. In Christianity, the central mystery is that God is triune: one being in three persons” (47). What Macleod writes of arguably leads to the highest point of religious experience, “where we glimpse the abyss which revelation has opened up for us and cry with Paul: ‘Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!’ (Rom 11:33)” (48). After quickly surveying the Bible’s teaching on the trinity and church history’s study of the Trinity, he moves into practical implications of the doctrine of the trinity in our own understanding of God, our attitude toward others in light in the trinity, and our life in the church. He closes by briefly describing the ways the doctrine of the trinity is under attack by various groups such as Jews, Muslims, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. His chapter on the life of the church in relation to the doctrine of the trinity is absolute gold. By reflecting on the eternal unity and love of the three persons of God, Macleod gives practical exhortations and reflections on how our lives as brothers and sisters in the local church should reflect that love and unity. I recommend this book to all Christians!

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, clear introductory summary of the doctrine of the Trinity, and how it serves as the foundation for Christian fellowship. Macleod is simple, straightforward, and engaging. The layout works very well: explain the doctrine in ch. 1-2, and apply it in 3-6. The final section on challenges to Trinitarianism was helpful for what it was, but doesn't fit very well with the tone of the rest of the book. I'd recommend that only interested folks with a background in those particular situations (Judaism, Islam, Mormonism, JW) need to read the final section. Great resource to give out to explain Trinitarianism; without the final section, it'd be even better as a giveaway.

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good, basic introduction.

[Ari DeBenedictis · Rating 2 out of 5]

not going to lie, this was more of a skim read. But here are my overall thoughts:

-honestly, never really questioned the trinity or had any huge questions about it until I read this book. This book 1) helped me understand the importance of the trinity but also 2) made me question a lot of things/made me realize its WAY more complex than I realized
-author made some snide sexist and homophobic comments that really bugged me obviously
-really intrigued by the last part where he went into Judaism, Islam, Mormonism and Jehovah's Witness to explain how the trinity was viewed in each of those religions.
-overall, it was just boring. Like first 100 of 140 pages were just about the trinity. There's only so many ways you can explain it aka it just got repetitive.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever book which packs a lot of information into a brief volume. The author presents arguments for the trinity from Scripture, then presents a brief historical theology of the trinity. What follows is a brilliant application of the doctrine of the trinity to the life of the believer. Macleod then addresses false conceptions of the trinity from contemporary Judaism, Islam, Mormons and JW's. The application section was exceptionally good. Made me want to give that to our small group leaders.

[Michael Kidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly helpful and absolutely enjoyable. MacLeod has such a clear and precise style of writing. He is poised and scholarly. However, he is not afraid to get right to the point and call something ridiculous or unintelligible. This was a quick read for more than its brevity. It is hard to pull one's nose out of and put down.

[Gustavo Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather short book considering it's about the Trinity. It's an excellent introduction towards a difficult theological issue.
The author is able to give a good Historical Explanation of the Trinity, and most important is able to apply it to the reader.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more depth of thought from MacLeod. This is more of a booklet and only exposes the tip of how Trinitarian theology does/should affect the Christian community.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book on the Trinity. Macleod writes in a very concise and clear way. I like how he interacts with different religions too regarding the trinity. Helpful work.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the best short book to give a layman. Introduces the layman to the idea of persons as subsistences.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part about this book are the practical connections MacLeod makes between the fellowship of the Trinity with each other and the fellowship we have with the Trinity and each other as a result. The content about love and fellowship being at the center of God, that He can only be all-loving in the context of the Trinity (where the three perfectly love each other) and can only be pre-existent love because of this truth. Some really beautiful, powerful content.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and simple introduction to the Trinity. A good book to hand out to new Christians as they try to understand who they have come to worship and believe in. It would be good to hand to junior high and high schoolers as well. Wonderful application on how the unity and diversity of God impact life in the church and the day to day life of individual Christians.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The arguments against Judaism, Islam, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses are an added bonus to an otherwise excellent book. It is a popular work, rather than a scholarly tome, but even here Professor Macleod cannot conceal his great learning.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent yet brief description of the trinity and it's application for Christian life.

[G Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful stimulating little booklet... Primer only, super basic... I enjoy MacLeod, very much, even though I would disagree with a lot of what he says elsewhere on creation and Christology.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, clear little book describing how the tri-unity of God is the basis for body-life in a local church. If your church has a book-table, this should be on it!