Unfortunate Expressions Regarding Divine Persons 

In my personal devotional times each morning and evening I enjoy help from the awesome treasures found in the works of brethren, most of whom have "departed to be with Christ." I am eternally indebted to them for their exhaustive labours under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Thus the expressions I refer to will not include the names or literary works of these beloved brethren in Christ. My only objective is to safeguard the inerrancy of The Word of God; We must be vigilant in our references to Divine Persons, and not use expressions, however well-meaning if they are not to be found in God's Word.

"God-Man" I actually shrank from his title the very first time I read it, but it appeared in my meditation once again and I was equally repulsed. I fully understand what this title is supposed to suggest ,and sympathise with those who coined this phrase because of their obvious longing to present the divine and (impeccable) human natures of our lovely Saviour. but it is not a phrase of Scripture, and opens the door to those who revel in the  profane Roman, Greek and Nordic mythologies with their demi-gods; and still further the ideas suggested in the fantasies of men today with their so-called super-heroes. I need elaborate no further. 

"God the Son; God the Holy Spirit." These titles may seem to some believers as perfectly acceptable, but they are erroneous and without biblical support. Nowhere in the entire Word are these titles found. I believe with every fibre of my being that the Son and the Holy Spirit are indeed God as equal in every way with the Father, both possessing every single attribute of Godhead. But the only title in Scripture permits to speak of "God the Father." The Lord Jesus is the Eternal Son of God, from and throughout eternity, in Godhead and in Manhood; The Holy Spirit is the "eternal Spirit." Wherein lies the danger then? If we speak of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, we allow men to say that we teach a religion comprising three gods! And that is not unreasonable; we must adhere to the very words of the Scriptures. I verily concede that it is and must be impossible for us to express the inexpressable.

"The First, Second, and Third Person of the Trinity." This phraseology might be less commonly used among believers, but I know of a Book or Books that have adopted these titles.

I am not too happy with the word "Trinity" that is never used throughout the Word of God. The usage of first, second and third as to divine Persons has an obvious flaw. the man in the world would see the implication that there are "levels" of divinity, (apologies for poor way of expressing it), but it suggests supremacy of the one and subordination of the other two Persons. I am perfectly happy to use the precious scriptural  title "Godhead;"  and I think in an endeavour to refer to the three divine persons of the Godhead, that I am prepared to use the expression Triune.

In closing I repeat it is beyond the comprehension, apprehension and capacity of even Holy Spirit-enlightened believers to be able to express some profound truths in connection with our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

T.W.