Analogies For The Trinity

No analogy is perfect but some are better than others

Most bad analogies are really just Tritheism

BAD Analogies

  1. A Chain with 3 Links
  2. One actor playing different roles
  3. Water being a Gas, Liquid, and Solid

GOOD Analogies

1. Mathematical Illustration

  • 1 X 1 X1 = 1  or 13

2. Geometric Illustration

  • Triangle - Has 3 corners, inseparable from, and simultaneous to, one another

3. Moral Illustration 

  • Lover, Beloved, and a Spirit of Love
  • Love doesnt exist without these three

4. Anthropological Illustration - Mind, Ideas, and Words 

5. Islamic Illustration of Plurality in God

  • Islamic conception of the Quran and God
  • Muslims believe Quran is expression of the Divine Will
  • Quran is eternal and uncreated
  • Expression of Gods mind as imperishable as God Himself
  • Something that is other than God but is nonetheless one with God in essential characteristics