The Holy Trinity

The Athanasian Creed introduces basic Christian theology in this way: this is Christian faith, "that we worship one God in Trinity and the Trinity in unity" (art. 3). This is also the point of questions five and six of the Shorter Catechism. Of all that Scripture teaches us to believe concerning God (Q. 3) this is the most basic: there is one God existing in three persons. The Athanasian Creed adds this warning: "Anyone then who desires to be saved should think thus about the Trinity (art. 28). The Trinity is foundational Christian theology.

Lest we assume that the teaching on the Trinity is impractical, a mere theological shibboleth, we should notice the verbs used by the creed to introduce the Trinity. This is how we must think about the Trinity (art. 28). This is also how we must worship the Trinity (art. 3). The more truly we think about the Trinity the more meaningfully the truth of who God is will penetrate every area of our life with adoring gratitude.