Beholding the Triune God: The Inseparable Work of Father, Son, and Spirit

by Matthew Y. Emerson, Brandon D. Smith

A Concise Guide to the Work of the Trinity and the Doctrine of Inseparable Operations

It’s crucial that believers understand the work of the Trinity in the world and in their everyday lives.In this concise introduction to the doctrine of inseparable operations, Matthew Emerson and Brandon Smith assert that the three persons of the Trinity are eternally the one God of Scripture and act inseparably in creation, salvation, and all other acts of God. Addressing complex questions—such as What does it mean that the Father is one with the Son, but is not the same person as the Son?—they present a refreshing, biblical view of the one triune God and his unified work in revelation, providence, creation, salvation, mission, communion, sanctification, and judgment.

Concise yet  Presents a historic, classic Christian view of the doctrine of inseparable operations   Leads readers to deeper wonder and worship through a biblical-theological understanding of the Trinity Accessible Resource for Students and Christian  Features clear language and a glossary that defines complex theological terms

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Matthew Y. Emerson (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of religion at Oklahoma Baptist University. He is the author of The Story of Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Theology, Between the Cross and the Throne: The Book of Revelation, and Christ and the New Creation: A Canonical Approach to the Theology of the New Testament.

Reviews

[Ben Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rock solid Biblical overview of the doctrine of the Trinity. Emerson and Smith take a topical approach, examining both the distinctions and unity within the Godhead when it comes to Revelation, Providence, Creation, Salvation, Mission, Communion, Sanctification, and Judgement. No complaints to their approach but it is quite straightforward: take the reader to the texts and repeatedly conclude with "we cannot fathom the depths of this reality fully...". The Bible clearly affirms the one in three and three in one nature of God and His divine activity---Emerson and Smith take the reader to the Scriptures at every page. In the end I would have preferred a deeper dive into these things, but that is not the fault of the authors as that was not their intent.

[Jono Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received in the mail this evening and couldn’t put it down! Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“In the mission of the Son, God himself would stand in front of humanity to lift their eyes off of created things and back to beholding their Creator, restoring his image bearers to relationship with him through the incarnation of the Son, the true image (Heb. 1:3).” (17)

“…we must affirm that God the Son incarnate died that day on Golgotha in the person of Jesus Christ according to his humanity, but he in no way, shape, or form ceased to exist or experienced ontological separation from the Father (or Spirit) according to his divinity.” (69)

“Because of the work of the triune God, our salvation is secured. Nothing in all of creation is stronger than its Creator. And when we are held in the Father's love through the work of the Son and the Spirit, we are bound to the very eternal love of God.” (73)

“The goal of missions and evangelism is to see lost, sinful persons saved from the wrath of the triune God through the work of the triune God in the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and imminent return of his Son and by the power of his Holy Spirit. The goal of evangelism and missions is everlasting worship of the triune God.” (79-80)

[DevotedToHope · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you explain something as majestic and mysterious as the Trinity? Matthew Y. Emerson and Brandon D. Smith don’t try to simplify God into easy soundbites in Beholding the Triune God. Instead, they invite us to marvel, to worship, and to rejoice in the breathtaking reality of our God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

This book is for anyone who wants to know God better. Emerson and Smith have a knack for taking profound truths and presenting them in ways that are both clear and awe-inspiring. I didn’t feel like I was trudging through a textbook; I felt like I was standing at the edge of a vast ocean, gazing at its beauty and depth.

The way they explain the unity of the Trinity is unforgettable. Creation? The Father, Son, and Spirit all worked together. Salvation? Same. Sanctification? You guessed it. Every act of God is inseparable because He is inseparable. I’ve read about the Trinity before, but this book made me feel the weight and joy of it in a whole new way.

What I love most is how this book connects doctrine to devotion. It’s not about filing away theological facts; it’s about worshiping the Triune God with fresh eyes and a full heart. It made me think so differently about how I pray, how I sing in church, and how I see God’s fingerprints in my daily life.

This isn’t just a book to read—it’s one to return to again and again. It’ll challenge you, comfort you, and leave you awestruck by the God we serve.

Beholding the Triune God is an experience, not just a theology lesson. If you’ve ever wondered why the Trinity matters, this book will show you. And spoiler: it matters more than you could ever imagine.

I received a digital copy of Beholding the Triune God from the publisher via the Crossway Review Program. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, pacing, content, and substance of this book, while also reflecting on how impactful it has been on me personally, ensuring transparency and reliability.

[Rachel Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great introduction to the doctrine of inseparable operations! I like the approach this book takes, with each chapter focusing on a particular act of God and showing how it is both the one inseparable act of Father, Son, and Spirit, but also how we see the distinct persons and appropriations in those acts as well.

This was a short, more accessible read on the Trinity, and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting to dive deeper into Classical Trinitarianism!

[Jason Braithwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

One God, in three persons. The overall phrase i take away from this that keeps all this text applicable for me is "inseparable operations "

Excited to unpack and digest this text with some brothers!!

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most important subjects for Christians to consider is the doctrine of the holy Trinity. St. Augustine wrote, “And I would make this pious and safe agreement … above all, in the case of those who inquire into the unity of the Trinity, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; because in no other subject is error more dangerous, or inquiry more laborious, or the discovery of truth more profitable.” The bishop from Hippo understood the gravity of this topic and commended it to followers of Christ.

Matthew Y. Emerson and Brandon D. Smith’s book, Beholding the Triune God: The Inseparable Work of the Father, Son, and Spirit is short and readable. It rivets readers' attention on seven important areas: revelation, providence, creation, salvation, mission, communion, sanctification, and judgment.

The authors' task is to behold the Trinity through his inseparable operations, a doctrine that teaches that one “cannot separate the acts of God between the persons of God. Every act of God is a singular act of Father, Son, and Spirit … Thus, every act of God is the act of the one God - Father, Son, and Spirit are each God but are not each other.” The book's central theme, then, is to demonstrate that everything God does is the work of the triune God.

Emerson and Smith work diligently to prove the unity of the Trinity in the seven specific areas noted above. They highlight pertinent biblical texts and draw learners into a deeper understanding of the triune God’s activity in the world and specifically in the church.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Jesse Sauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good example on the importance of clarity when discussing theology. Complexity doesn’t improve theology.

[Ana Fonseca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t recommend it enough!!!

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to @crosswaybooks for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.}

“The goal of missions and evangelism is to see lost, sinful persons saved from the wrath of the triune God through the work of the triune God in the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and imminent return of his Son and by the power of his Holy Spirit. The goal of evangelism and missions is everlasting worship of the triune God.”

This powerful book does a deep dive into the Trinity and doctrines surrounding it. I love that the book starts out with an incredible introduction on the indivisibility of the Trinity and then goes on to discuss the Trinity as it pertains to:

-Revelation
-Providence
-Creation
-Salvation
-Mission
-Communion
-Sanctification
-Judgment

I found this book to be so thought-provoking and helpful.

Full of Scripture and theological insight, “Beholding the Triune God” is an invaluable resource. I believe this book will not only help readers to understand more of God’s essence and character, but also lead readers into a closer relationship with God as they come to know Him better.

Can’t recommend this book enough!

[Jonathan Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a thoughtful, accessible reflection on the unified works of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Readers will be guided through a tour of divine acts (e.g., Revelation, Creation, Salvation, etc.) and shown how those acts are at once unified and differentiated. The Scriptures frequently assign or “appropriate” a specific divine action to one member of the Trinity (e.g., creation to the Father, atonement to the Son, sanctification to the Spirit, etc.). However, Emerson and Smith help readers see how even in such cases the other members of the Trinity are involved in the action. This volume will be of value to local churches, and it would work well for teacher resourcement or reading groups. Warmly recommended.

[Tanner Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to the Trinity. This would even be a helpful book to give a new, but smart believer.

At times this book exposes more questions than it gives answers, but the language throughout was always precise. I never really questioned language they were using but some definitions and arguments felt like they deserved a chapter and they got a paragraph.

The introductory/popularized feel of the book probably played into that decision making.

The divine “missions” chapter was incredibly helpful. I would have liked to see more emphasis on the “act of salvation” instead of the the work of cross in that chapter.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy as part of Crossway’s reviewer program. The timing was providential, as that very week a lot of questions about the Trinity arose during a Bible study my husband and I host. I was able to read from and wholeheartedly recommend this concise, biblical book.

I will write a more detailed review on my blog and social media.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book!
It is not very long or technical, so it would likely serve as a good primer for classical Trinitarianism, in addition to providing good reason to believe in the inseparable operations.
I imagine this book would be great for pastors who don't have a great grasp on how the Trinity impacts their interpretation, or for the very eager lay person.

[Conner Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely helpful and accessible work detailing the trinitarian doctrines of inseparable operations and appropriations. Filled with rich scriptural and theological reflections which elicit worship of God.

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will have to read this again to really explore it.

[Amanda E. (aebooksandwords) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: “Beholding the Triune God” reminds us of the inseparable involvement of each member of the Trinity, helping us understand the multifaceted unity of our triune God.

Oftentimes we tend to think of or refer to our triune God in distinct, almost separate roles. For example: “The Spirit gives us spiritual gifts.” “Jesus gave His life for us.” Though certain aspects are associated with a particular person of the Godhead, this is only part of the picture. In this book, we are given the opportunity to more deeply understand our triune God in unity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I appreciated the structure of the book, specifically how each chapter focused on one area of doctrine. Then a chapter would end with tying in this area with the title, such as “Beholding the Triune God in ______” (providence, creation, mission, communion, sanctification, etc.)

I found the book beneficial, though I felt that some sentences in some of the chapters needed simpler wording or explanation to be more accessible to all believers; thankfully, the appendix contains a glossary.

The Salvation and Communion chapters were my favorites. The section where Jesus’ death on the Cross is addressed. This section was particularly insightful.

Highlights:

“…any time we speak of an act of God, we have to maintain both his oneness and his threeness when we do so.”

“The Father has a love for his Son that he wants to give to us.”

“It is the Son who becomes incarnate by the agency of the Holy Spirit so that, in the Son, we can see the Father.”

“…the incarnation is inseparable from both the Father's ‘foreknowledge’ and ‘definite plan’ and the Spirit's anticipated pouring out to apply and seal this covenantal work of the triune God.”

“For much of church history, the idea of personal communion with God in the Scriptures has been called lectio divina (‘divine reading’). In short, because Scripture is ‘living and active’ because of the Spirit's active work through it (Heb. 4:12), we read Scripture not as a dusty old textbook, but as a vibrant, living word from God himself. And not only do we read Scripture, but Scripture reads us as the Spirit searches our hearts and exposes us to the truth (Heb. 4:13).”

Total Stars: 3.25

Readability: 3
Impact: 4
Content: 3
Enjoyment: 3

Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Phil Cotnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from the merits of the book, it's encouraging to see two young Baptist theologians writing a book clearly arguing for a view of the Trinity, and specifically the doctrine of inseparable operations, that is consciously aligned with classical theism.

The book itself is short and aimed at a popular audience. It seeks to explore and explain how the triune God acts -- both in terms of unity among the persons of the Trinity and distinctions in their roles. I thought it was helpful, generally clear, and edifying. It sharpened my thinking and evoked gratitude and praise as I pondered the rich and nuanced Biblical testimony about who our God is and how he acts in history.

That being said, it was not an especially engaging read. For popular-level books, a little rhetorical flourish or turn of phrase goes a long way to helping the medicine go down. It could have been stronger in this regard.

I'm grateful for having read it and I trust it will help recover a classically orthodox view of the Trinity among evangelicals, and especially Baptists (and the Baptist-lite 'non-denominational').

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is easy for Christians, when thinking about the Trinity, to fall into one of two errors. First, the error of tri-theism, thinking of each of the persons of the Trinity as a separate God. Second, the error of modalism, thinking that the three persons of the Trinity are just different modes of expression of the one God. These errors often show themselves subtly in the way we think about the various works of God: that creation is really just the work of the Father; that salvation is really just the work of the Son; and that sanctification is really just the work of the Spirit. The authors carefully distinguish between the ways that each of these works (and others) are the united work of the Trinity as a whole, yet also distinguished in some way as particular to one of the persons. This is not a large book, but for most people, it will be a slow read, because it is dense theology. I recommend that the reader begin with the Glossary, especially the entries on appropriation and inseparable operations. Highly recommended.

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out very well, but ended up being quite weak. It opens with a solid definition of the doctrine of inseparable operations. But then its main chapters were poorly written. The argument itself was hard to trace. Examples were offered without clearly drawn conclusions. Even popular-level questions (like "Did the Father really turn his face away from his Son on the cross?") were answered in such a muddled way that I'm still not sure what their answer was.

A super-important doctrine here when it comes to the Trinity; poor execution on this book. I'd suggest The Trinity: An Introduction instead.

[Suzanne McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a much-needed book! It's a short and highly accessible account of the twin doctrines of the inseparable operations and of appropriation. It's almost entirely free from language that would trip up a regular congregation member (*almost* :) - it's a shame that 'prosopological' and 'partitive' exegesis slipped through towards the end without explanation). It will be enable thoughtful church folks to recognize scriptural patterns of thinking, to see the significance of these doctrines for the life of faith, and to correct some very prevalent misunderstandings. Think of this book as something of a distillation of the essence of Adonis Vidu's magnificent academic monograph on the same topics, in order to whet a congregation member's appetite to explore more deeply. The footnotes give good pointers as to how they might do that.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad this book was written. It’s good to have a solid resource on Inseparable Operations.

That being said, the book begins oddly with the authors trying to use Inseparable Operations to critique the language of "the Father turning his face away from the Son" on the cross. I thought that was odd, because that is more properly a Christological issue than a Trinity issue (so an entirely different topic and one IO doesn't really give you the doctrinal points to address effectively). It really would've been better for them to leave that issue out of the book altogether. I don't think their conclusions on that issue were sound either.

Thankfully, though, the book proves to be much better than that discussion. It works through several key doctrinal loci, Revelation, Creation, Providence, Salvation and more. Offering good theological reflection.

[Corley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great discussion of the Trinity. It breaks down aspects of Christianity and how the Trinity works in simple ways. However, the chapters don’t necessarily always build off of each other. And while there is an introduction to nicely set up the book, there is no conclusion, so the overall discussion is left a little lacking. A conclusion that summarizes the ideas would have helped the overall construction of the work; it feels like a set of essays in this structure. But the theology and writing works well.

[McHess]

This read more of an explanation than an argument. That may not be a bad thing, but I was expecting more exegesis of the text rather than a philosophical explanation with scriptural support. It was also quite repetitive, but the topic is very interconnected (pun intended), and the ideas are very dense, so this wasn't entirely unwelcome. The lack of argument, though, did make me wonder if I was fully convinced by the implications of this idea.

[Marta Oster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very insightful, engaging, and approachable for one that is on the topic of the inseparable operations of the Trinity. Not only did it give me a greater understanding of each person of God but also a greater reverence for how God works and that he delights in revealing himself to us for the purpose of knowing him.

[Jacob Furlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction on how all of redemptive history is a work of the Triune God, breaking down complex truths in a very accessible and practical manner. I appreciated how Emerson and Smith take deep theological truths and traditions and bring them to bear on the daily life of the Christian! Would definitely recommend!

[nate]

A book on the Trinity that is both accessible and full, suitable for seasoned Christians and newcomers to the faith. The structure of the book is very well done, the explanations are clear and helpful, and there's even a glossary. Reading this in concert with Basil's On the Holy Spirit was an added bonus.

[Isabella Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful in very thoroughly showing how and in what ways all three members of the trinity are at work in all ventures. Very solid. Also very hard to read because there are so many reiterations of the same idea (don't get comfy with viewing certain things as the purview of only one member of the Godhead) You thought this was only the Holy Spirit's thing? think again, buster! Haha.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yea nice! Good primer on some of those doctrines that are all the rage at the moment: simplicity, inseparable operations etc etc. V. comfortable with virtually everything they discussed. They distinguished strongly between the three persons and are clear that while each member of the trinity is involved in each act of God, they're not all involved in the same way. ✌️

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, clear, and erudite volume on a theological doctrine that can easily get muddied and "in the weeds." Clear calls to scripture's witness illuminate and make digestible what could otherwise be heady doctrine, and said doctrine's applicability to our understanding of God and our own comfort are made clear.

10/10

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 80 pages but decided I'm not going finish it, not because it's unorthodox but because it's soooo basic, it's not even a 'popular level' kind of book. The best things there: occasional quotes from the church fathers.