Let�s start with the ones I have heard. First is the one of the egg. This states that God, Jesus and the Holy ghost correlate to the yoke, white and shell of the egg. Together forming one being, but yet separate physically. The primary aspect as I see it is that it does correlate to a living being. An egg needs all parts to create a whole life. All three are necessary to the being and all have their functions to the whole of the entity. The negative side of this comparison however is that they are too separable. The shell can be broken, the yolk and white also separated and once so being, can�t be put back together. The egg is too fragile and that is a very poor aspect to compare with the trinity. It�s like saying that we worship Humpty Dumpty.
The second example is that of water. Where water has basically three forms (ice, liquid and vapor), so does the trinity with God, Jesus and the Holy spirit. Unlike the egg this has stability. It shows that God is God in any form. That he can�t be separated from himself because he always is one being. The negative aspect of this comparison is that water is dependent on outside stimuli to change its form. It has no free will to direct itself. It is inanimate and therefore also a poor comparison.
So in my thoughts I tried to think of something that would better suit as a comparison, and I feel I may have found one. Of course, as with any comparison there are flaws. And although far from perfect, I feel that my comparison has more merit than either of the other two.
As with most spiritual matters, I consulted the bible for my comparison. It seems to me that if we are to find a comparison for the trinity then we would have to find something at least vaguely worthy of such a comparison. Although God created both water and the animals which produce eggs they scarcely can relate to him in any significant way. So I present in comparison that which was created in God�s own image. Man. Before I explain however, I wish to state that this too is a poor comparison. For no man should compare himself to God. But since we�ve compared him to an egg and water, I feel this would closer hit the mark.
First of all you might ask, �What aspects of man can you compare?� And I simply state that we should look at the basic makeup of man himself. First, comparing to the Father would be the subconscious. This being the main driving force and the root of real intelligence. The basis of what makes man able to formulate and direct the life process. This is seemingly the real force behind intelligent life.
Secondly, I submit that the Son may be compared to the body. The physical form which houses the intellect. Giving the ability to interact with the surrounding environment from a more tactical point of view. Perhaps I can even say that this would include the conscious mind. The part that puts meaning into the thoughts and drives of the subconscious so that others may understand those perceptions. Thus the conscious would serve as a tool to spread knowledge given by the subconscious.
Finally is the Holy Ghost. Which leaves in my limited view, the life force* or soul of a man to be compared with. This being to me the most difficult to pin down in a comparison. But the life force or essence of man stands as a monument of man himself. We may say something like, �The man may be dead but his spirit lives on.� This is what helps us to learn. By witnessing the lives of others we become connected to them in a way and can better grow as individuals. Thoughts of the Holy Spirit teaching the apostles comes to mind as well.
Now, as I stated before, this is also a poor comparison. But I feel that it may be better than comparing God to an egg or water. The problem with this comparison however is that we know so very little about our own selves so my comparison may be deemed speculative and a matter of opinion. But then how can we be so bold as to try and explain the mystery of God when we do not even truly know ourselves. The human spirit in search of meaning I suppose. I for one certainly admit my ignorance, but with God�s help, I may yet learn to understand some of life�s mysteries.
~FIN
afterthought: The life force may be looked at as a form of pure energy. In this case we can compare electricity. Electricity is composed of separable electrons which may stand alone or combine in varying sizes of electrical fields. So just as the life force can vary in sizes to inhabit a mouse or a whale and be transferred from one to another (Think, eating the apple to fuel life in your body), so too it is with the Holy Spirit being able to touch all others of it�s energy makeup. (Which is everything when you think of it for all molecular matter has electrons.)
