The Trinity in Creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

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Distinguishing the individual Persons in the act of creation can be somewhat difficult since they all act at the same instant, but we can still see the operational order of the Trinity (outlined in previous posts) functioning: from the Father, through the Son and by the Spirit. However, each Person creates in a way distinct to their title- for this reason I will refer to the Son as the Word of God (John 1:1) and to the Spirit as the Breath of God (John 20:22).

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When humans tell stories, they will employ three creative faculties- thought, word and breath. The story is first conceived in thought, as an idea that is unformed and cannot be communicated externally. It is then expressed in words and written down in text, where the fullness of the idea can be contained and articulated. Finally, it is narrated aloud by breath, allowing the a single text written on the page to be told in a variety of forms. God creates in this same way. The nature of the Father is given to the Word in creative thoughts; the Word of God expresses this nature perfectly in Himself and the Breath speaks or sings that expression in infinitely dynamic ways, manifesting the nature of God in creation. The relationship between the Word of God and the Breath of God is important here- it reveals how the unchanging nature of God can be expressed in differing ways in the world. The Breath of God determines which attributes of Himself each created thing will reflect- singing out the Word in creation, giving limitless variations of pitch and timbre to every created thing. This is the threefold movement of creation: by thought, by word and by breath.

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If we accept that all of creation is not only a gracious gift from God but also an intentional expression of His divine character, only then can we receive St Paul's words to the Romans, "His invisible nature can be perceived in the things created." The visible universe is a window into divine infinitude. The creation is a mirror containing endless refractions of the Creator. The cosmos is the language of God.