The Message of the Trinity: Life in God

The Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes Series

by Brian Edgar

The Trinity is perhaps the most shrouded message of the Scriptures. On its surface it defies How can three be one? A scrupulous search of the Bible will not yield an explicit reference. Yet Christian creeds have affirmed for centuries that God is triune and is identified as such by the Scriptures. We are tempted by the mystery of the Trinity to search for superficially satisfactory calculations, to abandon all logic in our declaration of triune faith, or to give up on the whole enterprise altogether. And yet, Brian Edgar argues, when properly understood "the Trinity is as essential for theology as bones are for a body. The uniqueness of Christianity emerges entirely from it, and without it everything which is truly Christian disappears." In The Message of the Trinity he attaches each muscle and sinew of Scripture to the Trinity, showing how it weaves the mysterious nature of God together throughout the biblical witness. Beyond the Bible, the Trinity lends meaning to the very nature of creation, accounting for the diversity, richness and openness of the world, and dealing with the sin and suffering that beset it. The triune God is there in the Scriptures for us to see, as our vision is aided by our faith. Once our eyes are trained everything else becomes much clearer.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Christian

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

About the author

Brian Edgar is Professor of Theological Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought these were refreshing expositions on different passages. Though I did not agree with everything Edgar said, there was some good teaching in this book.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up this book and scanned its table of contents, I felt like yawning. It appeared as only a collection of expositions that referenced passages that had some connection to the Trinity. It was only after digging into this book that I found that these passages brought the doctrine of the Trinity alive and made it a fine addition to the respected Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. Brian Edgar also proved himself adept at unfolding much of the theology on the Trinity that might be addressed pedantically in a theology textbook.

After a bibliography and an introduction, the book is divided into four parts. They are all substantial and worthwhile, but part one blessed my soul in its description of the Trinity of love. The two chapters in this section brought in a smorgasbord of theology that transformed itself into a tapestry that displayed the singular beauty and importance of the doctrine of the Trinity. If you doubt my assessment here, I only ask that you read it for yourself.

The other parts look at the Trinity in the Old Testament, the Trinity in the experience and teaching of Jesus, and the Trinity in the experience in the teaching of the early church. The choice of texts are superb. Along the way, you will cover the unity of the Trinity, the wisdom of God, the Spirit of God, Incarnation, Christ’s baptism, mission, teaching, Resurrection, Pentecost, Christian experience, community, security, unity, and the Day of the Lord. There are no throwaway chapters in the lot. The study guide at the end of the book is above average too. Sometimes I wonder who puts the study guides in some of these books, but this one will really help make sure that you gleaned what was available in the chapters.

Mark this volume down as one of the better in the series among those that address biblical themes. To my mind, it’s a choice volume on the Trinity.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Trinity is not some abstract doctrine at the periphery of Christianity, but a reality at the centre of Christian living. That's Edgar's conviction, and one that he supports with a series of expositions of passages showing the triune God at work in history, in the church and in the lives of believers. There is a lot of good thought in this book, and some helpful applications. But I did feel that Edgar strayed away from his focus quite often, so the book didn't entirely deliver on its title. Like any BST, still encouraging though!

[James Tetley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book, almost made me want to put it down. Solid exegesis, but lacked that synthesis and application and life. It came to life with a brilliant chapter on mission and the Trinity, and Pentecost and the Trinity, but was looking for an integration of themes as the book progressed.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

E.g.
Old Testament examples of Trinity as team leadership are the one-ness of God (Deut 6:4-9), the wisdom of God (Pr 8:22-31), and the Spirit of God (Ez 37:1-14).

Edgar, Brian. The Message of the Trinity. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.

[Kyle P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and thoughtful enterprise that shows how the Trinity emerges all throughout Scripture.