Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Father, Son and Holy Spirit
By Bruce A Ware

One of the greatest privileges of salvation is the gift of insight into the true nature of God. Before conversion our vague views of God cannot prepare us for the wonder of God in three persons, each equally divine and worthy of worship, but each distinct, the mystery and majesty of the Trinity.

‘The doctrine of the Trinity,’ as Bruce Ware argues, ‘is one of the most important distinguishing doctrines of the Christian faith’ and not one that Christians do well to regard carelessly.

The relationships within the Trinity are matchless in their mutual love, delight, honour and common purpose. They need nothing beyond each other in their fullness.

Bruce Ware, an outstanding Biblical scholar, serves his readers superbly in taking us step by step into the wonder of each person within the Trinity, their unique roles and their beautiful relationship. Deeply rooted in Jewish monotheism, with its clear teaching ‘I am the Lord, there is no other’, he takes us on into the New Testament revelation, ‘Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him’ (1 Cor. 8:6).

Each member fully God
Very carefully he argues that each member of the Trinity is not one-third God but fully God, with each member having every essential attribute of God equally and fully. Nevertheless, he establishes the Biblical truth that though they are co-equal, the Father in His position and authority is supreme among the persons of the Godhead. The Father sends the Son and exalts the Son and gives him His all-surpassing name. Ware relaxes into the vernacular, stating, ‘The Father gets top billing as it were.’

The loving submission of the Son is clearly stated, standing in stark contrast to modern man’s insatiable appetite for complete equality in every respect. Each is equal but each has a different role to fulfil, thus providing a matchless example for the roles of men and women – equal in value but different in function.

This is a superb volume. As Christians we uniquely believe in the Trinity. If you would like more light shed on this fundamental truth, let me encourage you to get your copy of Bruce Ware’s excellent book.