Making Sense of the Trinity: Three Crucial Questions

by Millard J. Erickson

This user-friendly guide by a noted biblical scholar explores three crucial questions that often pose difficulty for those seeking to understand the doctrine of the Trinity.

Genres: Theology, Christian, God, Christianity

108 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

Millard J. Erickson (PhD, Northwestern University) has served as a pastor and seminary dean and has taught at several schools, including Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Western Seminary (Portland and San Jose), and Baylor University. He has also held numerous visiting professorships, both in the United States and internationally, and is the author of many books. Erickson lives in Mounds View, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Donald Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction. However, the end of the book reflects his egalitarian bias and he commits a number of logical fallacies including the false disjunctive. As long as one is aware of Erickson's perspective, the book retains its usefulness.

[Nathan Schrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the author's approach to the questions, even if I am hesitant to accept all of his conclusions without extensive further thought.
It is in answering the question "Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Make Sense?" that the author is forced to make the most extra-biblical arguments. His ultimate conclusion (spoiler alert) is that the sense in which God is "one" has to do with His love. In his words: "Love is the binding relationship within the Godhead that unites each of the persons with each of the others." I was unacquainted with this concept of a loving relationship existing between the three persons of the Godhead, and I don't yet know what to make of it. His argument is based solely upon 1 John 4:8, 16 ("God is love.")
He says: "There is a sense in which the fact that God is love requires that he be more than one person. Love must have both a subject and an object. Thus, prior to the creation of other persons, humans, God could not have really loved, and thus would not have been truly love. If, however, there have always been multiple persons within the Trinity itself, among whom love could be mutually exercised, expressed, and experienced, then God could always have been actively loving."
This seems like a big stretch, but I think I see where he's coming from.

[Tim Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much an introduction work.

Split in three parts.
The Biblical evidence
The logical defense
The practical payoff

Part 1 was okay, just lacking some crucial passages. But overall, okay for an introduction.

Part 2 was a little weaker. There is just so much to cover. But still, it can show that deep questions have been thought about. Also, clearer sections would have been nice.

Part 3, although much more could be said. It was my favorite part. It had some interesting points that I'll continue to reflect on for a while.

Overall, a decent introductionnto a hard but crucial subject for each Christian.

[Lilly Scibana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly going to be a book I continually refer back to and read again. Although only three chapters, Erickson seeks to make sense of one of the most complex Christian concepts- the Trinity. He approaches the areas where we have gotten it wrong, and seeks to Biblically support the implicit presence of the Trinity throughout the Bible. I would highly recommend this to anyone who does any sort of ministry with Psudo-Christian people groups as it creates a strong argument for why the Trinity is not just logical, but an essential part of doctrine.

[Al Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

As opposed to most who uphold ideas they don't quite understand, the author has a high degree of sincerity, which lead him to statements and observations that contradict his view and that he cannot come out of.
Otherwise a small-encyclopedic read, mostly bordering the bland but seasoned here-and-there with some ingenious twists

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the cornerstone beliefs of Christianity is the Trinity. That God is one, but as three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While never explicitly stated in Scripture, this doctrine is certainly implied. Erickson address why belief in the Trinity is valid, and how God can be three in one. It's a short, readable, helpful book on a challenging topic.

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really respect what this book attempted to do, I just don't think Erickson had the background to stick the landing and not just because I hold a different view. If you want an accessible book arguing for a popular evangelical view of the Trinity, critical of the some of the breaks occurring in evangelicalism - here you are.

[Timothy E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the Trinity

The author presents opposing ideas we'll, then shows why those are incorrect. But never in an ad hominim way, he does not call others "heritics."
Dr. Erickson has other volumes in his ciricula vite, which are more scholarly, but this one is both accessible and informational.

[Paul Dubuc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for help in thinking about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Why it's biblical, why it makes sense and why it's important for Christians and the Christian Church.

[Tamara Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and helpful approach to understanding the doctrine of the trinity.

[Brian Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last chapter is worth the price of the book. The other two chapters are also included.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I consistently appreciate about Erickson is his honesty. It's been awhile since I read through this, but I recall a few areas where his honesty was helpful in thinking through things. Most books of this nature (and especially of this size) tend to go too far in making a ton of unexplained-just-asserted content all equally authoritative and equally certain on all points - the stakes are high because if you get one thought slightly off in one area you've got the whole thing wrong.

Better introduction then most, both in readability and content - especially for it's size.

[Paul, · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erickson talks about the confusing doctrine of the Trinity in clear, fairly understandable language. The last discussion about hierarchy in the Trinity was interesting, but I wish it could have been a little longer.

[Danny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that he wasn't arrogant enough to say that he could solve the mystery of the trinity, but offered a couple of ideas that help you understand the trinity better and how it should incorporate into the Christian life. It's also a short and easy read.

[G Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good book. Super basic. Many better books that address the same issues in a more life giving way. That said, not a bad book.Perhaps I am too harsh on Erickson in general.

[Matthew]

Reread. First reading was in Seminary, 2001-2006.