What's the difference between a contradiction and a paradox, and why does it matter?

The law of contradiction and non-contradiction are principles of logic, and logic is vital to the

discussion of theology. Most of us know instinctively what a contradiction is. An example of a

contradiction would be a square circle, a silent noise, or a tiny giant.

The law of contradiction says that something cannot be X and yet not X at the same time and in the

same way. It's important to say in the same way because not everything that seems like a contradiction actually is a contradiction.

For example, it's not a contradiction to say that I am a son and a father at the same time,

because in this case we're talking about my relationship to different people.

I'm Graham Cooper's son, but I'm also Adeline Cooper's father.

There's no contradiction there. But of course, there would be a contradiction if I said that I'm

the son and the father of the same person. That would be a contradiction and therefore impossible.

By the way, during my research on this subject, I was able to conclude

that the phrase, can somebody's father also be their son, is the stupidest thing I've ever typed

into Google. This careful distinction between what is and what is not a contradiction

might seem like I'm splitting hairs, but actually it's

important for lots of reasons. Let me give you a particular example. You sometimes hear people say

that the Trinity, the biblical idea that God is three and yet one, is a contradiction and is therefore

impossible. If you say that God is three and yet one is a contradiction and is therefore impossible. If you say that God is three and yet

one, some people will look at you as if you're talking about a square circle. And they may well

accuse you of being a polytheist, a believer in three gods rather than one god. The law of non-contradiction

says that you simply cannot have one being who is also

three beings. And actually, I would agree with that. You can't have one being who is also three beings.

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