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R. C. Sproul
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What Is the Trinity? (Volume 10) (Crucial Questions) Paperback – August 8, 2011

by R.C. Sproul (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,592 ratings

The Trinity is truly a mystery. This doctrine teaches that the God of Christianity is one in His essence but three in His persons―the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Though the word Trinity is not found in the Bible, there is no doubt that the Scriptures teach this triune nature of God. Yet the concept still challenges our finite minds.

In this Crucial Questions booklet, Dr. R.C. Sproul carefully explains the doctrine of the Trinity, stressing that Christians worship one God who manifests Himself in three distinct persons. He shows what the Bible teaches and outlines the chief errors on this doctrine that have afflicted the church. Above all, he affirms that while this truth is difficult to understand, it is not contradictory. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of the biblical teaching on the nature of God.

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  1. Print length
    63 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Reformation Trust Publishing
  4. Publication date
    August 8, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    4.5 x 0.19 x 6.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1567692591
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1567692594
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Reformation Trust Publishing; #10 in the Crucial Questions Series edition (August 8, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 63 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1567692591
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1567692594
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.5 x 0.19 x 6.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,592 ratings

About the author

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R. C. Sproul

R. C. Sproul

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Dr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, colleges, and seminaries around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,592 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book excellent at explaining the Trinity, with one review noting it provides a thorough explanation of an important doctrine. Moreover, the writing style is straightforward and easy to understand, making it a great introduction to this complex subject.

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172 customers mention "Explanation quality"150 positive22 negative

Customers praise the book's ability to explain complex theological concepts, particularly the Trinity, and provide a good overview of this difficult subject.

"...In his inimitable style Sproul gives a lucid and cogent defense of the Trinity as articulated in key passages of Scripture and as has been defended..." Read more

"Liked the brief and pointed arguments for the Trinity along with the identification and flaws of those arguments against. A good quick read." Read more

"...It's so important to work out your faith, to pray, and read scripture, seeking out the truth, to really think through the implications of what you..." Read more

"...He has a sharp mind and a teachers tact. If you are looking for a short and accessible resource, this is it!..." Read more

111 customers mention "Readability"111 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as excellent, interesting, and informative, with one customer noting it serves as a great resource for everyday Christians.

"...This is a very good book to read especially considering how much heresy and false doctrine there is out there now, and how easy it is to find or run..." Read more

"...I found helpful the examples and anecdotes Dr. Sproul provided. He has a sharp mind and a teachers tact...." Read more

"...In the meantime, this information and/or introduction was very helpful to give me a base for being able to explain the essence of God and the three..." Read more

"...It does a great job of telling the reader what the Trinity is not, and leaves him/her with the answer that no one knows how to explain the Trinity." Read more

78 customers mention "Writing style"75 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, describing it as concise, readable, and straightforward.

"...In his inimitable style Sproul gives a lucid and cogent defense of the Trinity as articulated in key passages of Scripture and as has been defended..." Read more

"...A good quick read." Read more

"...realities about God's nature are explained simply and without excessive nuance...." Read more

"...(well-written, easy to understand, knowledge-based and, especially, scripturally-based!)...." Read more

14 customers mention "Introduction"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book serves as a great introduction to complex subjects, with one customer noting it's particularly helpful for new believers.

"This is a great intro to this doctrine. It covers the history of the doctrine and the philosophy and thought behind it...." Read more

"...Nevertheless, this little book probably is the best place to start when trying to understand the Trinity...." Read more

"...This book is very helpful for what it is, an introduction. Sproul cites ancient theologians and creeds in a way that only he seems able to do...." Read more

"A brief introductory read on the subject. Greatly helped in establishing a direction for further study...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Dr. David P. Craig
    5.0 out of 5 stars What The Triune God Isn’t and What He Is
    Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2020
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    If you were asked to clearly define what it means that God is Triune could you do it? In this short book (60 pages) Sproul helps you to understand the biblical doctrine that God is one in essence and three in person. In his inimitable style Sproul gives a lucid and cogent defense of the Trinity as articulated in key passages of Scripture and as has been defended in the great early Church Council’s of Nicea and Chalcedon.

    One of the most helpful sections in this book is when Sproul explains what the Trinity is, by explaining what it isn’t. He gives a brief history of the different early heresies with reference to the early teachings of the church in trying to articulate a unified understanding of the doctrine of God - His character, nature, and essence. He explains and shows the weaknesses of all the major early heresies with reference to a misunderstanding of the Trinity: Adoptionism, Monarchianism, Modalism, Monarchianistic Modalism, Monophysitism, Nestorianism, and Dynamic Monarchianism.

    I highly recommend this book on the Trinity as a good place to start in trying to comprehend the biblical doctrine of how God can be one in essence and three in person. Don’t let the shortness of this book turn you away. Sproul is always deep, clear, biblical, theologically precise, and easy to understand. You are sure to learn something new and practical to help you in your walk with Jesus.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • TC:
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good summary of arguments
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2023
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    Liked the brief and pointed arguments for the Trinity along with the identification and flaws of those arguments against. A good quick read.
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  • Abby Williams
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good but I wish there was more
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
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    This was another good book by R.C. Sproul, I learned what a shibboleth is, finally! And I really enjoyed reading about some of the differing theological views on the trinity. This is a very good book to read especially considering how much heresy and false doctrine there is out there now, and how easy it is to find or run into it without necessarily knowing that it's false. It's so important to work out your faith, to pray, and read scripture, seeking out the truth, to really think through the implications of what you confess to believe. The only thing lacking i think, is that I wish Sproul would have gone into more detail about the differences, what is the Holy Spirit's work as opposed to God the Father etc. but perhaps he'll cover it in another book. Definitely worth the read though.
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  • Victor
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most helpfulness books on the Trinity
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2013
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    The idea and truths the the word "Trinity" coneys are not always easy to understand. Our minds cannot hold all the necessary pieces of the puzzle together without strain. This book has helped in that effort by providing a wider base.

    The historical, theological and philosophical realities about God's nature are explained simply and without excessive nuance. You don't need multiple degrees to understand the importance of the doctrine of God's tri-unity. I found helpful the examples and anecdotes Dr. Sproul provided. He has a sharp mind and a teachers tact.

    If you are looking for a short and accessible resource, this is it! It should be read quickly and reviewed regularly.
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  • Joseph J.Adrian
    5.0 out of 5 stars One God Yet Three Persons
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014
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    Anyone with a reasonable acquaintance of the Scriptures and at least a mild understanding of and exposure to Biblical Theology, has wrestled with(at some level at least)trying to understand the doctrine of 'The Trinity'.No matter how much time and effort have been invested in one's attempt to understand what the Bible reveals about the Triune nature of the God of 'The Word',there remains some mystery. R.C.Sproul's book 'What Is The Trinity?' is not an exhaustive study of this teaching but an excellent introduction to this foundational Biblical doctrine.The importance of this doctrine is emphasized by Sproul right at the outset p.1"...the trinity has emerged as a touchstone of truth,a non-negotiable of Christian orthodoxy." I have been a follower of Christ for over thirty years and every Church that I've been associated with(to the best of my knowledge)would not consider anyone a Christian if they did not believe in the Trinity.

    Orthodox Christianity has always been monotheistic.So,Mr.Sproul asks the question 'If God is one,How can He be three?'.It is at this point that Christians have sought to defend the concept that there is only one God but that one God exists in three persons.The heart of the issue(has always been for me)defining the terms as best we can.R.C.Sproul addresses this in chapter four 'One In Essence,Three In Person'.He looks at the Church's historical understanding of the words essence,existence and subsistence.He considers the thinking of some Greek philosophers to be important to better understand these terms.Then he attempts to explore the understanding of the word person which he views as synonymous with subsistence.He writes with insight and clarity p.50 "subsistence literally means to stand under ...this word gets at the idea that while God is one in essence,there are three subsistences,three persons,that stand under the essence." The most basic definitions I've either heard,read(or have synthesized through what I've been exposed to)are the following:nature-what something is(for example animals have an animal nature,plants a plant nature...)person-has to do with ego,self awareness(self consciousness).I'm not fully satisfied with those definitions but in this life 'we are looking through a glass dimly'.

    As with anything I've read by Sproul,I always come away with a better understanding than I had before interacting with his thoughts.On a doctrine as difficult as 'The Trinity' I think Mr.Sproul is a must read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • BB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Much appreciated description of the Trinity!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2014
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    Based on another review, it sounds as if there is better information available, which I will continue to look for as I expand my knowledge. In the meantime, this information and/or introduction was very helpful to give me a base for being able to explain the essence of God and the three beings of God. As God obviously intends, it's not meant to be easily understood at this point in time or else it would be crystal clear to all who search for this answer.

    I'm looking for more by R.C. Sproul (and several other good authors) since I appreciate the quality of information provided by them (well-written, easy to understand, knowledge-based and, especially, scripturally-based!). I'm able to take the few opinions that the author provides and put them in my mental box-of-opinions for contemplation. :)
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Daniel Penner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just over a year since he passed but his teaching continue
    Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2019
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    R.C. Was a great man who constantly blew my mind with the way he could bring complicated concepts across in a way which made them far more understandable. This book is a perfect example.
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  • Shailesh Ingale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best bible study on the doctrine of Trinity
    Reviewed in India on July 13, 2024
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    Bible college students and pastors must read this book
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 30, 2016
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    I Think it is necessary to learn how the church has interpreted Scripture through the centuries, and this book is a great tool for that.
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  • Malcolm S Hindmarsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful booklet
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2014
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    One of the best critiques of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity I have read. Sproul first lays the foundation for the concept of the Trinity in the OT and then goes on to expand it in the NT. This subject is not easy to cover as it pertains to the very essence of trying to understand God. In my opinion, the writer handles this subject well and sensitively and also with due reverence.
    This book does not claim to be definitive( what book could) but simply to help the reader to a perhaps better understanding. Biblically sound in orthodox Christian doctrine this is another good booklet by this renowned author.
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  • Lucas Clinco
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for every christian to read.
    Reviewed in Brazil on June 10, 2018
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    A Great explanation of the Trinity's mistery! Our God is Triune God, The Son, The Spirit And The Father. God be praised!
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