Question:  I am having trouble with the distinction of the Trinity.  In the Q&A section you answered a question from Mike about who the father of Jesus is.  You said, “Jesus the man was fathered by God, specifically the agency of the Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary” and I wonder if you could go over this in a little more depth.  Specifically, this passage seems to blur the distinction between God the Father and God the Spirit.  Maybe this passage doesn’t mean what it sounds like it is saying?

            Thanks,

            Mark

Answer:  Dear Mark,

            Time does not permit a discussion that would do justice to each divine Person of the Godhead and His respective work.  It is true that there are times when it seems like distinctions between the three are blurred, such as the one you mention below – as well as the biblical references to the indwelling of God within the life of the Christian.  Sometimes we read that the Holy Spirit indwells us, in other passages we read that Jesus Christ indwells us.  When Jesus predicts his own resurrection, most of the time he notes that the Father would resurrect him, but there are passages when he says that he himself would resurrect his own body.

            The Trinity teaches that each divine Person of the Triune Godhead is distinct, but co-essential, one God.  We do not understand or experience such unity, not such distinction, and therein lies much of our problem in understanding the Godhead.

            We might remember that the eastern church split with the western church over the issue of the filioque – how and by whom the Holy Sprit is sent.  Another study in and of itself.  Hope this gives you a thought or two to ponder.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht