Trinity and Reality: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

This is a book to be savored. Ralph Smith examines the profound implications of the doctrine of the Trinity by going beyond proof-texts and historical argument to the heart of the doctrine. The thesis is that the Trinity both implies and defines a complete Christian worldview, and Rev. Smith goes straight to the bottom line, explaining the significance of the Trinity for virutually every aspect of Christian life and doctrine. Smith has enough ideas for many volumes, but he honors the reader laying down the outlines of his ideas in a bare in a minimum of space. I have already read this book twice, and I can foresee see many more readings to come. Read it and marvel at the glory of God.

In his book Trinity & Reality, Ralph Smith ably accomplishes the purpose he set for himself from the beginning: "In this book we will explore the meaning of the doctrine of the Trinity for the Christian worldview, aiming at an exposition of the Christian understanding of the world that is both biblical and God-centered, and also ... clear and practical, with strong implications for the Christian life" (xiii). Besides one's understanding of the world, Smith uses the word "worldview" to signify a "way of life," "the story of the world" and of God's people, "aesthetics," "religious sensibility," and "attitude on life" (xiii). Thus, for Smith, the doctrine of the Trinity is not just a doctrine; it is a truth that encompasses all aspects of reality. Smith begins by outlining the basics of the biblical teaching of the Trinity. Perhaps more than any other doctrine, the Trinity is universally affirmed by all branches of Christ's church. Thus, this book may be profitably read by Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Christians. Smith states that the Trinity may be established from Scripture by proving the following five propositions: "there is one God; the Father is God; the Son is God; the Spirit is God; and the Father, Son, and Spirit are distinguishable persons in relationship with one another" (3). The doctrine of the Trinity must be discovered in Scripture and believed by faith rather than arrived at by reason. Scripture, therefore, is the key. "God's revelation in His Word is our ultimate standard for judging all that we know and learn, while it presupposes that God is revealing Himself in every thing that He created and in the process of history as well" (14). Based upon his brief introduction to the biblical basis of the Trinity, Smith spends the rest of book exploring its implications in every realm of truth. Though the doctrine of the Trinity may seem difficult or even contradictory, "truth is an entirely rational and perfect system, for God cannot contradict Himself" (17). God as Trinity is a personal God, interacting in fellowship within Himself. Christianity is the only religion whose God is not only absolute but also personal. Thus, God Himself is the ground of all personal virtues like righteousness, faithfulness, and goodness. For instance, "righteousness for the triune God means that each of the persons respects and preserves the boundaries of the others" (19). Probably the best portion of Smith's book is in Chapters 3, in which he explores the truth that "what God does in history reveals who He is in eternity" (31). The nature of God is the foundation of all earthly relationships. In God, the essence or bond of the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is love. "God's covenant love for His people reflects something deeper and more wonderful: the eternal self-denying love that each of the Persons of the Trinity has for the others" (38). Men who live in a covenant relationship with God indwell within God and God wit

From our earliest years in Sunday School, we learn that God is one Being but three Persons. Unfortunately, that is as far as most Christians go in their understanding of the Trinity, the best known but least understood doctrine of the Christian faith. Thanks to Ralph Smith, there is now an introduction to the Trinity that is readable and accessible to the average lay person. In Trinity & Reality, Smith shows how the truths behind the Trinity affect our understanding of God, ourselves, our families, and our communities, and how these truths shape our overall view and understanding of the world, even though most of us are totally unaware of how the reality of the Trinity affects us. Smith peels away our layers of ignorance to help us see that faith in the revealed truth of the Bible is the basis for judging everything we know. And the central truth of the Bible is that God is Three in One. Although written for a popular audience, T & R will stretch the mind in places as, for example, when Smith discusses the philosophical problem of the "one and the many," or delves into the deeper implications of cosmogony and cosmology. Smith even takes us on a journey through comparative religion and opposing worldviews to show us the more excellent way of the Christian faith. This book also shocks with its graphic description of the reality of hell. We can be thankful, however, that Smith follows this harrowing account with a beautiful depiction of the trinitarian meaning of heaven. Ralph Smith has written an excellent book on the basic foundations of trinitarian thought and understanding. You should buy this book and read it if you want to know why the world is the way it is.

Trinity and Reality is helpful because it shows the meaning of the doctrine of the Trinity for the Christian life. Smith not only explains what the Trinity is, but how it is important for a Christian day by day. Now I know how many different doctrines in the Christian faith are related to the Trinity and how much of my daily life and worship is influenced by this wonderful truth.