trinityTrinity: A New Living Spirituality by Joseph F. Girzone

From the dustjacket:

With Trinity, Joseph Girzone guides readers to a deeper understanding of this foundational concept, explaining why it is not antiquated theological dogma, but a living expression of the very essence of God. He offers support and clarity to those who already believe in God, and invites those who profess not to believe on a journey to find “an image of a God who is believable, and perhaps, even lovable.”

For centuries, Christians have struggled to understand the nature of God as three persons in one. But with grace similar to that which allowed Saint Patrick to explain the Trinity by using a shamrock, Girzone takes a step back from the most arcane explanations to offer a simple, useful understanding. He begins by showing the ways God was perceived by the ancient Hebrews and reveals how Jesus forever changed that image of God. As he chronicles the growth from the time of Jesus and the early Church, writing about the challenges Christianity faced from both within and without, Girzone elucidates the mysterious ways the Trinity works in the world and especially, in the Church, as an extension of Jesus’ presence in history. Writing with passion and insight, he helps readers understand how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit work within individuals as well, guiding them as they struggle along the pathways of life on Earth.

My thoughts:

The concept of the Trinity has always been a difficult one for me to grasp. I like the way Grizone explains it. It’s simple, but makes a point.

See that lamp there? There is the bulb, there is the light coming from the bulb, and there is heat coming through the light from the bulb.They are all different, but you can’t separate them. They’re all together as one. That is something like what God is like. (pg. 3)

Girzone discusses the Trinity, especially the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the church and the life of the individual, and God’s amazing love for us. The other part that made me take note was the section on meditational reading of the Gospels. I think with a little discpline, I could and should make that a daily habit.

I think the section on church history was too brief, more of a quick overview. Girzone mentions many saints and other church leaders, but so quickly that I don’t even remember who they were or what made them notable in this context. Of course, the book was short, only 128 pages long, which does make it very accessible, but only allows for a brief exploration.

Overall, not a great book, but good. I think I did gain a little more understanding of the Trinity, but I still have quite a ways to go.

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