Turretin’s Caution on Trinitarian Analogies
Turretin’s Caution on Trinitarian Analogies
Francis Turretin (1623–1687), the eminent Reformed scholastic theologian of Geneva, is widely regarded for his rigorous and nuanced Institutes of Elenctic Theology. As a leading figure in post-Reformation orthodoxy, Turretin defended the doctrines of the faith with precision, including the doctrine of the Trinity. One area in which he exhibited theological restraint was in the use of analogies to explain this divine mystery.
In response to the long-standing temptation to illustrate the Trinity using natural or philosophical images—be it water in three states, the sun and its light, or the facets of a triangle—Turretin gave sober guidance. While recognizing their potential pedagogical use among believers, he warned that such analogies are always limited and prone to misrepresentation.
“But as this mystery far transcends the reach of the human reason, so it can be solidly demonstrated from the revealed word alone. Whatever proofs of it some are wont to adduce from nature and reason, or from the perfection and power of God, or from his understanding, or from the communication of good (although on the supposition of a revelation, they may with respect to believers serve in some measure to illustrate it), yet they cannot convince and obtain the force of solid proof. The same is the case with the various similitudes usually employed here: from the human soul, the rainbow, a tree, a fountain, the sun and light. These seem to afford some resemblance to the Trinity, though very obscure as they always labor under a great dissimilitude. Thus they ought to be proposed soberly and cautiously, not for the purpose of convincing adversaries, but for confirming believers and showing them the credibility at least of this great mystery.”
—Institutes of Elenctic Theology, I.3.25.4
In short, Turretin affirms that while analogies may assist the faithful in grasping the credibility of the Trinity, they are no substitute for the testimony of divine revelation and must be handled with reverent care.
Amen. 🙏🏽🧎🏽♀️
ReplyDelete