I
recently came across an article by Michael Patton entitled, "The
Trinity is like 3-in-1 Shampoo" . . . And other Stupid Statements. Previously
on this blog, I discussed Patton's blatant abuse of the early Church Fathers
(via an uncritical [and unacknowledged] use of Keith Mathison work on the issue
from the book, The Shape of Sola Scriptura
[2001]) here
and here.
The
article cautions against the analogies one often finds to help demonstrate the
Trinity, similar to the following popular youtube video:
What
really grabbed my attention was this comment about the Trinity, the central doctrine
of so-called "Orthodoxy" (emphasis added):
One more thing. I often tell my
students that if they say, “I get it!” or “Now I understand!” that they are
more than likely celebrating the fact that they are a heretic! When you
understand the biblical principles and let
the tensions remain without rebuttal, then you are orthodox. When you solve
the tension, you have most certainly entered into one of the errors that we
seek to avoid.
Confused? Good!
That is just where you need to be.
Patton,
a Trinitarian apologist, urges his Christian students to confess a faith that
is incomprehensible, ignoring any difficulties ("tensions") one
encounters (whether from the Bible, logic, or history), and labels such a
benchmark of "Orthodoxy" (contrast this with the words of Jesus John
4:22: ". . . we know what we worship . . . [if Patton were consistent,
Jesus was close to “[entering] into one of the errors [Trinitarians] seek to
avoid”]) The "chuck your brain at the door"-mentality is amazing.
Furthermore, imagine if such a sentiment was held by a non-Trinitarian--Patton
et al. would use this as "proof" of the "cultic" nature of
their opponent's faith-group, but when it comes to preserving belief in the
Trinity, consistency is thrown out the window (alongside one's
critical-reasoning skills).
