Re: Physical Resurrection

All analogies are limited - they tend to be modalistic (water, ice & steam - of course ignoring pressure ice!) or tritheistic (shamrock). IMO the picture of the "perfect committee" in which the 3 are always totally united in will is as good as you can get. There are dangers of trihteism with that, as with any kind of "social trinity" model, but that's perhaps a helpful corrective since what most people think is the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity is modalistic. I'm not sure how the "perfect committee" idea will play with an 8 year old. "Family" is a tempting alternative but carries with it too much subordinationism.

It's essential to bear in mind that the problem is not simply that of understanding how three can be one in the abstract. It is how Jesus of Nazareth and the one he prayed to as Abba & their mutual Spirit are one.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: David Opderbeck
  To: Dawsonzhu@aol.com
  Cc: deborahjmann@insightbb.com ; asa@lists.calvin.edu
  Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 9:07 PM
  Subject: Re: Physical Resurrection

  Apropos of this, tonight, out of the blue, my 8-year-old son asked me "dad, how can God be three and one at the same time." Wow! I remembered that old illustration using an egg (shell, yolk and white), but it seems pretty weak. Anyone have a better one?

  On 4/11/06, Dawsonzhu@aol.com <Dawsonzhu@aol.com> wrote:
    David wrote:

      If by "answer" you mean something completely emotionally or intellectually satisfying, I guess you're right.

    That is exactly what I meant. We know the doctrine, and it is one of those
    things we just accept/endure/take on faith, but to even try to explain something
    like that, well,.... good luck..... Sorry if that was confusing.

    Also, thank you Michael for the heads up on "physical" and "bodily". I
    agree completely. "Physical" does bring up that image of "Zombies",
    "bodily" is a complete remake.

    He has risen indeed,.... happy Easter.
    Wayne
Received on Tue Apr 11 22:52:50 2006