The Rule of Threes

The exact same data, when interpreted by different individuals, can yield radically divergent conclusions. Both the Freudian and the Augustinian recognize the deep subconscious human desire for a father’s love; the former concludes that our notion of God was created to appease that desire, while the latter concludes that we were created to enjoy its fulfillment. While the objective truth of the matter does not depend on our interpretation of reality, approaching reality with the right attitude allows us to grasp truths beyond the mere data or facts we encounter. 

Peter Kreeft’s latest book, Why Does Everything Come in Threes? A Short Book About Everything, illustrates how the right attitude can arrive at conclusions, meditations, and insights that might otherwise be missed. Professor Kreeft leads the reader through a series of reflections on the trinitian nature of (in his words) “everything.” Mathematics, physics, sociology, psychology, literature, morality, metaphysics, and (of course) theology all reveal a trinitarian pattern that permeates reality. He does not attempt to prove that everything “comes in threes,” but he illustrates just how easy it is to find “threes'' everywhere when one dons trinitarian lenses. And while the book develops a few intricate philosophical arguments, Professor Kreeft never takes the effort too seriously. His grandfatherly humor and tongue-in-cheek title show that he is not trying to philosophically convince someone that the doctrine of the Trinity is true; just that – if you look for them – trinities are everywhere. 

What one decides to do with this data – the ubiquity of trinities – is another matter. Christians and non-christians alike agree that the number three plays an important role in human life. From the photographers’ rule of thirds to the humorist’s comic triple, the human mind latches onto tripartite structures. The skeptic might take this datum and say that it is no wonder so many humans worship a Trinity. And to this Professor Kreeft would agree, but would take it a step further. The human mind latches onto trinities because it was created for the Trinity. The effect bears a resemblance to its cause.

For those who wish to adopt an attitude more attuned to the world’s reflection of God’s trinitarian nature, Why Does Everything Come in Threes? is worth a visit. While it is not an “academic book,” there is some serious philosophy and theology in it worth analyzing. But more importantly, it illustrates an approach or attitude that we can take towards reality that may yield intellectual and spiritual fruit. We may not be able to comprehend the Trinity, but adopting a trinitarian lens (as Professor Kreeft does) may provide us with a deeper understanding of reality – a modern example of Anselm’s “credo ut intellegam.”