What Was the Trinity Doing on Christmas Day? (Matthew Emerson and Brandon Smith)
Dec 16, 2024
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Matthew Emerson and Brandon Smith, theology experts from Oklahoma Baptist University, delve into the Trinity's roles during Christmas. They illustrate how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit operate inseparably in the incarnation, clarifying misconceptions about their individual roles. The discussion highlights the Holy Spirit's vital involvement in Jesus’ birth and offers insights on enriching Christmas celebrations with a balanced focus on all three persons of the Trinity. They also share guidance on praying relationally within the Trinity, particularly for families.
The Christmas story illustrates the inseparable operations of the Trinity, showcasing that the Father, Son, and Spirit collaboratively participate in the act of incarnation.
Understanding the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity prevents misinterpretations of divine action and enriches the believer's perception of God's holistic work.
Deep dives
Understanding the Doctrine of Inseparable Operations
The doctrine of inseparable operations asserts that all acts of God are undivided, emphasizing that even though actions may appear to be executed by distinct persons of the Trinity, they are fundamentally the work of one God. For example, while the Son is the one who incarnates as Jesus, it is also the Father who sends him and the Spirit who facilitates his conception. This view corrects the common misunderstanding that the members of the Trinity operate independently or in isolation from one another, reinforcing the notion of a unified divine action in all aspects of creation and redemption.
Unity and Distinction Within the Trinity
A key aspect of understanding the Trinity is grasping that its unity and distinction are equally vital. The early church emphasized both the shared essence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and their simultaneous involvement in all divine actions, countering misleading tendencies to assign different roles or attributes exclusively to one persona. Such misinterpretations risk devolving into tritheism, where the unity of God is compromised, and we are left with a distorted view that diminishes the holistic relationship between the Father, Son, and Spirit.
The Role of Each Person in the Christmas Story
In the Christmas narrative, the roles of the Father and the Spirit are critical alongside that of the incarnate Son. The Father sends the Son into the world for salvation, as reflected in passages like John 3:16. Equally important, the Holy Spirit plays a fundamental role in the conception of Jesus, enabling the miracle of the incarnation, indicating that the Christmas story embodies the collective involvement of the entire Trinity rather than isolating these divine actions to just one member.
Practical Implications for Worship and Understanding
Believers are encouraged to incorporate an awareness of all three persons of the Trinity in their worship, prayers, and discussions surrounding Christmas and salvation. While it is common to focus on Jesus during the Christmas season, neglecting the roles of the Father and the Spirit can lead to imbalanced perceptions of God. Utilizing a biblical framework helps maintain this balance, ensuring that conversations and liturgical practices reflect the truth of the inseparable operations of the Trinity, thus enriching the understanding and celebration of the incarnation as a Trinitarian act.
In this episode, Matt Emerson and Brandon Smith explore the doctrine of the inseparable operations of the Trinity and its implications for understanding the Christmas story.
Matthew Emerson is coprovost and dean of theology, arts, and humanities at Oklahoma Baptist University. Brandon Smith is chair of the Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry and associate professor of theology & early Christianity at Oklahoma Baptist University. They also co-wrote 'Beholding the Triune God: The Inseparable Work of Father, Son, and Spirit' from Crossway.