More on the Trinity OR How I Became a Heretic in Three Easy Steps

I have a few more words to say about the doctrine of the Trinity…

Now, that’s dangerous territory. It is an unwritten rule of Christian theology that you say as little as possible about the Trinity. Just show pictures of kittens instead.

Well, I’m joking about the kitten part.

Actually, it has been so tempting throughout Christian history to simplify the Trinity, to reconcile this doctrine with prevailing philosophies, or, at least, common sense. However, as I detailed in my last post, the Trinity resists description on purpose. This doctrine is the ever-present reminder for Christians that God is mystery. God is beyond our sense of making sense.

So, I probably should leave it at that.

Probably…

…but I won’t.

I was thinking about the Trinity again recently as I was teaching my freshmen about the Law of Three. Anyone remember those laws? If not, here’s a quick refresher:

Formal logic is built on three, foundational principles:

1. The Law of Identity: A = A

Explanation: While this law may seem blatantly obvious, that is kind of the point. It is the absolute bottom foundation on which we can build. This is essentially the “I think therefore I am” law. Now, even at that, not every system of thought or organized religion operates according to this principle. For instance, religions that focus on the concept of maya (“illusion”) have the perspective that our present reality is in some real, substantial way not what is appears to be.

2. The Law of Non-Contradiction: A ≠ B (or A ≠ not-A)

Explanation: For us to be able to talk reasonably, we have to agree that a position, idea, fact, evidence, reason, and so forth cannot be one thing and its opposite at the same time. In fact, to see things this way is an extension of the Law of Identity.

3. The Law of the Excluded Middle (or Excluded Third): Either A or B

Explanation: If you are thinking that there are lots of third options, then hold on for a second. That’s not quite what this law is saying. This law, in simplest terms, sets up that a statement must be either true or false. Nothing can be true and false at the same time (or in the same way). If you’re like one of my more “sly” freshmen, then you might argue that it depends on your angle or perspective, but the point of this law is that a statement cannot be both true and false when viewed by the same perspective.

Okay, so there they are: The Law of Three (vastly over-simplified for any of you logicians in the room).

Why did that make me think of the Trinity?

Well, specifically, I was thinking about the Law of Non-Contradiction. This law really does operate for so many of us on a daily basis that is so foundational that even if we wish to question it we’re not really questioning it. In fact, the process of questioning or arguing presupposes a basis on non-contradiction – i.e., that there is an answer, solution, or truth to which we can get. This Law is squirrelly – showing up where we least suspect it and where we might most want to reject it.

However, the Law of Non-Contradiction is also our entry point into non-discursive, or nondual, thinking – and – it is only in non-discursive thinking that the doctrine of Trinity ceases to be a logical error (The Trinity will always remain a mystery; there’s no argument about that).

You see, when we approach the Law of Non-Contradiction, we often make an unconscious assumption that “not-A” means the irrational, the “less-than-A”, the “other-than-A”. In non-discursive thinking, we are introduced to a new possibility: the transrational – what lies beyond the scope of reason = Beyond-A.

Beyond-A (which some may term ultimate reality) holds within it both A and not-A. So, non-discursively, we could rewrite the logical notation in this way:

(A ≠ not-A) = Beyond-A

If the Trinity, as both mystery and the Christian’s way of expressing ultimate reality, is in the realm of the Beyond-A, then “A” and “not-A” as well as “one God” and “three persons” become what they really are: words. Good words, to be sure. Words that describe a certain experience of reality. But, still words.

So, the Trinity – God – is beyond reason…

…and that makes sense.