Luther Explains Christ's Humanity and the Trinity to Laypeople
Edited by Rev. Jack Cascione

 

"To make such a profound matter somewhat intelligible, the doctors, particularly Bonaventure, adduce a crude illustration. If, for example, three young women would take a dress and put it on one of their number and this one would also take part in clothing herself with this dress, then one could say that all three were dressing her; and yet only one is being attired in the dress and not the other two. Similarly we must understand here that all three Persons, as one God, created the one humanity, clothed the Son in this, and united it with His person, so that only the Son became man, and not the Father or the Holy Spirit. In the same way we should think also of the dove which the Person of the Holy Spirit adopted and of the voice which the Person of the Father adopted; also the fiery tongues on the Day of Pentecost, in which the Person of the Holy Spirit was revealed; also the wind and whatever else is preached in Christendom or in Holy Scripture about the operation of the Holy Spirit.

"Here one might reasonably ask: Why, then, do we say, or rather, why does Holy Scripture teach us to say: "I believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth," and not to mention also the Son as Creator? Also, why do we say: "I believe in Jesus Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost?" Also, why do we say that the Holy Spirit quickens us and that He spoke by the prophets? Here the peculiar and distinctive works are being assigned externally to each Person by way of differentiation. This is perhaps too subtle too for simple Christians who want to adhere to their plain faith that God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God, etc. However, it is necessary to discourse on this subject in Christendom and to learn to understand it in order to withstand the devil and his heretics. In the first place, it is certain that God wants to be known by us, here on earth by faith, yonder by sight, that He is one God and yet three Persons. And according to John 17:3, this is our everlasting life. To this end He gave us His Word and Holy Scripture, attested with great miracles and signs. We must learn from it. To attain that knowledge of God, it is surely necessary that He Himself instruct us, that He reveal Himself and appear to us. By ourselves we could not ascend into heaven and discover what God is or how His divine essence is constituted. Well, for this purpose He employs visible elements in His creation, as Scripture teaches us, so that we may comprehend this; for invisible creatures do not make an impression on our senses."
Luther's Works page 15:306

"When we confess in the children's Creed: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth," we do not mean to imply that only the Person of the Father is the almighty Creator and Father. No, the Son is likewise almighty, Creator, and Father. And the Holy Spirit is likewise almighty, Creator, and Father. And yet there are not three almighty creators and fathers but only one almighty Creator and Father of heaven and earth and of us all. Similarly, the Father is our Savior and Redeemer, the Son is our Savior and Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit is our Savior and Redeemer, and yet there are not three saviors and redeemers, but only one Savior and Redeemer. Likewise, the Father is our God, the Son is our God, and the Holy Spirit is our God, and yet there are not three gods, but only one God. Likewise, the Holy Ghost sanctifies Christendom, so does the Father, so does the Son, and still there are not three sanctifiers, but only one Sanctifier, etc. "The works of the Trinity to the outside are not divisible."
Luther's Works page 15:309


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

May 24, 2002