I don't know.

That's such a hard thing to admit. Early in church history the orthodox catholic church confirmed the divinity and humanity of Christ as revealed in scripture, but debate continued for years as to how one person can be fully human and fully divine. The ultimate solution, while providing safeguards against heresy, was basically a big "I don't know."

The great, although misleadingly named, Athanasian Creed confesses the mystery of the Trinity, proclaiming, "The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal," and that "they are not three eternals but one eternal." The mystery of the Trinity is protected by the creed, and, ultimately, when someone asks how a confessing Christian can believe in one God who exists in three distinct person, the answer isn't an outright appeal to systematic theology, but the confession of a perplexity. The truth is, no one knows.

So how is Christ both human and divine, and how is God three in one? I don't know.

It's freeing to realize I don't have to have the answers to everything. I'm not advocating blind faith, but I am advocating a Christian walk that exists by faith.

The ultimate joy in admitting you don't know something comes, I think, when you resolve in your heart, mind, and soul to search for the answer, even if the ultimate solution can tend to be shrouded in seeming contradiction and mystery.