|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Current research indicates that the title of a blog, podcast, or article saying “three ways…” or “three parts…” or “three reasons…” will gain more attention than a blog, podcast, or article headlining “two ways…” or “four parts…” or “five reasons…”
Why does “three” work better? I have a theory. Read the following slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully. . .
According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood (1 Peter 1:2, ESV, emphasis mine).
Did you notice the “three” of Father, Spirit, and Son? Or the Trinity? And Genesis 1:26a reads, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’” The universe is created by “three in one,” our image comes from a tripartite God.
The number three calls to our inner created self.
Many stories from folklore have “three” — The Three Little Pigs, The Three Blind Mice, and Goldilocks and The Three Bears.
The Bible has the wise men with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). We are made as body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23). And we should live our life with faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Great writing, whether in a novel or movie script, follows the rule of three with three distinct sections introducing characters, then conflict, and finally, resolution. We see “three” in many of our slogans — Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; Friends, Romans, and Countrymen; and Government of the People, by the People, and for the People.
Our mind naturally processes information in patterns of three because three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. One famous writer says, “If you want something to stick in someone’s mind, put it in a sequence of three.”
In seminary, I learned that a sermon (and the structure of all speeches) has an introduction, a body of content, and a conclusion. And that the content section of the sermon (other types of speaking, too) should have three points.
I’ve tried in this Interruption to elevate the number three for a reason. Yes, we see the number throughout the Bible, literature, and the media, but the underlying question is, “Why?”
In the “three” usage of communication processes we find evidence for the existence of God. Why wouldn’t everything we think, do, and say resonate with the Word of God, who spoke the universe into existence (John 1:1-3)?
The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the Rule of Three. Amen!
So, the next time we see a sign reading, “Stop, Look, and Listen,” the fire safety slogan of “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” and the Rice Krispies ad with “Snap! Crackle! Pop!” let’s think. . .
Hey, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:1-3)
Today be enlightened, encouraged, and challenged by The Rule of Three.