THE TRIUNE CREATOR
The Triune Creator: Maker of Heaven and Earth
While interpretations vary, a compelling case can be made for the Trinity based on a careful examination of biblical texts, particularly Genesis and the New Testament. The controversial truth is that the Bible reveals a God who is not singular but triune—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct personalities yet unified in action. This is particularly evident in the creation account (Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-3). For the Christian, this Trinitarian understanding is essential to grasping the fullness of the nature of the one God of the Bible and His involvement in all existence.
Known by theists and atheists alike, Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," establishes God as the source of all. Though this may seem as if the Bible states that a singular being created all things, the truth lies within the original language in which the Old Testament was written. In Hebrew, the word for "God" (Elohim), as is used in Genesis 1:1, is plural, hinting at a collaborative divine council rather than a singular divine entity. This plural form suggests a plurality within the Godhead, implying a Trinity. The frequent use of this plural form throughout the Old Testament strengthens this perspective further. However, Jewish interpretations generally do not understand Genesis 1:1 as pointing to a Trinity, and some Jews (the Sadducees) did not believe in the spirit or a resurrection. Some scholars suggest that the plural form is simply a generic way of speaking about God's awesome power and majesty. Others view the word “Elohim” as referring to angels or other divine beings under God's authority. Many Jews and even some scholars today would claim the concept of a Trinity is not present in the Old Testament and that it is a later development in Christian thought, born from studies in the New Testament.
In light of this discussion on the plurality of God, one might consider Genesis 1:2, which describes the Spirit of God as “moving upon the face of the waters," explicitly introducing a distinct divine spirit actively participating in the creative process. This collaborative action is mirrored in other verses, even if the specific roles aren't always explicitly outlined. Throughout the Bible, the Spirit of God is referred to as a separate being with His own specific roles.
The New Testament explicitly affirms this interconnection between Divine entities. For instance, Matthew 28:19 commands baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," unequivocally declaring the Godhead's shared divinity and equal roles. John 1:1-3 affirms the Son's vital role in creation, as John refers to Him as the Word. John states that all things were created by and through the Son, emphasizing the Son's agency in the creative process. The creation of the heavens by the "word of his mouth" (Psalm 33:6) suggests the agency of the Son as the Word incarnate, whose glory was beheld by mankind (John 1:14). This implies the will of all three Divine persons, demonstrating a harmonious unity within the Godhead.
Ultimately, we cannot fully grasp the precise roles of each divine person in that scripture portrays a dynamic, harmonious Trinity working in concert. The Father conceived the design, the Son brought it into being, and the Spirit sustains and empowers the creation. Over the next few weeks, as we explore each person of the Trinity's role in creation, we'll continue to see that the creation account isn't just a historical event; it's a powerful demonstration of God's triune nature active in all His creation.
~ Casey Clement
>PS. Have you stopped to thank God simply for your existence? Each day this week pray to God and thank Him for the fact that He created you.