Things such as the the Trinity and the exact nature of Jesus' being are tough to a) wrap your mind around, and b) explain/teach without descending into that which is considered heresy.

This is not a bad thing, because as an out-worldly being, God might be outside of logic as he is time, as the creator of both.

Some people, esp. theologians of the east, tended to state such actual mysteries (not the "my Calvinism leads me into trouble, so I'll call it a mystery) in negative terms instead of positive ones. Rather than trying to explain the trinity out into the last detail, apophatic theology states what the trinity is not. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negative_theology#In_the_Christian_tradition)

When it comes to the trinity, I say we either limit out boldness to apophatic theology, or accept (and give grace to) flawed models of the trinity.

My personal preference is not to use analogies re: the Trinity. They only confuse the issue. Your instincts are right on.

Dan,

I think they can be tremendously helpful, as long as both parties understand that it is only accurate in part.

Illustrations are good for higher ups.

For Kids, I would prefer to let them think through it and come up with their own illustration.

Stating what the trinity is not is probably the best compromised.

I no longer buy books that tell me about God's nature. I think the Bible is the only one book you really need to know read about his Nature.

The best illustration that I have heard is that the Trinity is like Neopolitan Ice Cream. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Three different flavors, but all one box of ice cream.

Of course, this illustration melts under the heat as well.. but it's worth the thought. :)
Blessings

nice Tim. I'll use this one next time I have to.

I have come to terms with the trinity using a restaurant theme. When u hav a favorite restautant u see it as a single entity, yet there are three major components at work there. You start with someone who had this idea of delivering to people a particular dish. So He goes out and gets the ball rolling to build a restaurant (restaurant owner:the Father). He then uses His son to create the marvelous dishes that are unique to His restaurant (master chef: the Christ). You and I then receive our recently cooked marvel not through the owner or chef but via special messenger, the waiter (Waiter: Holy Spirit). The trinity has been functioning in this manner since Gen 1:1. God the Father created the heavens & earth through his Word (identified as Jesus in John 1. Christ proclaims the word because he has the authority, but relies on the Holy Sprit who has the power to carry out order, which explains why the holy Spririt was hovering over the waters, waiting for the go ahead (the Word).

Hi Lou,

Nicely put. I like it! Thanks for sharing...