Book review: Delighting in the Trinity
“We must believe in the Trinity or 'perish everlastingly’?”
That’s the question Michael Reeves asks in the opening chapter of his book 'Delighting in the Trinity'. Yet, far from being a terrifying prospect, this bold statement—and the book that follows—filled me with joy, excitement, and an amazement at God as Triune like never before.
I’m not a huge nonfiction reader, but Reeves writes in a way that is so engaging, witty, and easy to understand that even the most intense theological topics—or mysterious aspects of God’s nature—feel accessible to everyone.
I love the way he introduces the book. He notes that "How-To" books are the ones that fly off the shelves, and so reading a book on the Trinity might feel like trying to say, “Theodore Oswaldtwistle the thistle sifter sifted a sack of thistles”, but then goes on to make a case for “Why-to” books, of which this book is one.
“Christianity is not primarily about lifestyle change; it is about knowing God. To know and grow to enjoy him is what we are saved for—and that is what we are going to press into here. Nonetheless, getting to know God better does actually make for far more profound and practical change as well...
The triune nature of this God affects everything from how we listen to music to how we pray: it makes for happier marriages, warmer dealings with others, better church life; it gives Christians assurance, shapes holiness and transforms the very way we look at the world around us. No exaggeration: the knowledge of this God turns lives around.”
Most Christians, I think, are used to treating the Trinity like a side dish—something we believe in, but don’t really dwell on. What Reeves shows us is that the Trinity is the whole meal, and without a deep and abiding knowledge of God as Father, Son, and Spirit, we go through life spiritually malnourished and unsatisfied.
We’ve barely turned the page, and my mind is blown for the second time. Reeves argues that what makes Christianity unique from every other religion or sect is not salvation by grace alone, or Christ’s atoning death, or even his resurrection—it’s the Trinity.
“Now certainly those are all things 'of first importance' (1 Cor 15:3), so absolutely critical that they cannot be given up without the very nature and goodness of the gospel being lost; however, they do not stand 'before all things.' By themselves they are not what make the Christian gospel Christian.
Jehovah’s Witnesses can believe in the sacrificial death of Christ; Mormons in his resurrection; others in salvation by grace... we need not be disturbed by such similarities. That which distinguishes Christianity has not been stolen.
For what makes Christianity absolutely distinct is the identity of our God. Which God we worship: that is the article of faith that stands before all others. The bedrock of our faith is nothing less than God himself, and every aspect of the gospel—creation, revelation, salvation—is only Christian insofar as it is the creation, revelation and salvation of this God, the triune God.”
This book is for everyone. Whether you're new to the Christian faith or a seasoned believer, Reeves brings such clarity and joy to the beauty of God's triune nature that you’ll find yourself delighting in Him all over again.
It’s also wonderfully short—just 130 pages (plus discussion questions)—but don’t let its size fool you; it may still take you time to read, simply because of the sheer amount of mind-blowing amazingness packed into every chapter.
I find that the more I learn about God, the more I love Him—and the more I love Him, the more I want to learn about Him. For that reason, I give this book a 10/10 and strongly recommend that everyone gives it a go. Once you’ve read one of Michael Reeves’ books, you’ll be hooked for life!!