Friday, August 12, 2011

God is Trinity??? Contradiction or Fact???

God is Trinity

In the Christian journey, lover's of God's are enabled by God's grace to embrace his revelation of himself throughout the Holy Scriptures and throughout the very artistry of his hands (his creation). But what are the implications of embracing all that God is?
 
At the very fundamental level of Christianity is the belief that [God is Trinity], and the belief that  [God is Trinity] is one of the fundamental intersections in the Christian journey where we pause to ask ourselves,"What does [God is Trinity] mean? Does the belief that [God is Trinity] assume that we serve three God's? Does the belief that [God is Trinity] contradict the bible? Does the belief [God is Trinity] deceive Christians to believe [One God] when in reality the actually believe [Three God's]?" 

How can we as Christian's belief in the oneness of God, yet at the same time believe that Jesus and the Spirit are God? Does this not contradict the oneness we profess to believe?

Although, the word [Trinity] does not explicitly appear in the bible the scent of its presence flows all throughout its pages, 

1.) The baptism of Jesus (Jesus Himself  heard the Father's voice, and he saw the Spirit descending on them like a dove; Matthew 3:16-17), 

2.) Also this is seen when Jesus tells  the disciples to make disciples and baptize them into the name of the [In the Greek this Phrase is singular Father, Son, & Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)]. 

3.) Also, one should consider Peter's language that we have been chosen according to the forknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying  work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood ( 1 Peter 1:2)

Furthermore in Paul's prayer he prays that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit might be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

In our expression of the [Trinity] there are three possible ways that can show the beautiful picture of the [Trinity] history, theology, and experience:

1. History

The idea of the trinity was not invented by dumb people. The apostle's were Jewish men who were brought up to believe in ONE GOD (in contrast the countries around them who believed in MANY GOD'S), Then these apostles met Jesus after spending time with him the believe that he is the Messiah and even more than Messiah! For he [forgave] people's sin and even claimed to be the [Judge] of the world. In other words thay knew that he [Jesus] was worthy of their worship in other words they knew that he was God, yet he was not the father for he prayed to the Father and He said that he [Jesus] would someday provide them with spirit of truth!

2. Theology

How in the world could Jesus be God, the Father be God, and The Spirit be God but remain one God not three Gods? Is there a contradiction in the bible if it affirms that the Son is God, & The Spirit is God?

"The LORD our God, The LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)

A.) If this passage is true then how can The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit be God? Are they all in all the same? (Is God the Father, God the Son, and God the God the Holy Spirit)


B.) Can it be that God the Son and God the Spirit are not God but gods?

In question A the mistake is that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are made to be all the same with no character! For example, when Jesus prays to the father then he is found praying to himself! After the resurrection Jesus does not really go away to be with the Father but he simply then transforms into the Spirit!

In question B the mistake is that God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are not really God, but they are god's where God the Father is the only God! This also would seem to contradict scripture (John 1, Colossians 1, Matthew 28:19 etc.)

Then what is the solution?

The Father then is God, The Son then is God, The Spirit then is God. They are not three but one each has his different personality (character) but they are one substance without contradicting their unity!

How do we affrim Jesus and the Spirit being God without falling into the trap of both A.) and B.) responses?

When talking about unity there are two types of unity mathematical unity [This type of unity can be described as something that is simply "one" which naturally we assume everything to be!] and organic unity [this type of unity is highly complex and may have many parts but it still remains one in substance. For example like a chair, a televison, and the human body]

For example, when the atom was discovered, scientist thought they had reached the basic unit of matter which could not be divided or broken down, yet only to discover that each atom in itself is a tiny universe.

The unity of God is not mathematical but organic! within the complex mystery of the infinte God are three eternally distinct personalities the Father, the Son, the Holy Sprit

3. Experience

There are many things in life which cannot explain fully, yet we still fully experience them! We experience love, hate, and sadness; therefore although we cannot understand the [Trinity] does not suggest that it is not true! Everyday we pray we enjoy access to the Father through the son by the Holy Spirit and even when we say the Lord's prayer we recite [God is Trinity]. For it is our heavenly Father who gives us daily bread, it is Jesus who died for our sins that we can be forgiven, and it is through the inward power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome temptation and be rescued from evil!

[Trinity] is all around us! In our homes, workplaces, and relationships! [Trinity] bleeds out of our hearts it is who we are, yet if [Trinity] defines the "reality" all around us then why cannot [Trinity] define our Creator?

All Creation displays the brushstrokes of the creator! Glory be to God Amen!

15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these [a]vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. 16 [b]In the generations gone by He permitted all the [c]nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, [d]satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts 14:15-17)


3 comments:

  1. Great post Justin. I have been thinking lately about the Oneness Pentecostal sect that disavows the Trinity and yet seems to affirm the other essential tenets of the gospel. I say "seems" intentionally. Does this make the church heretical? Let me know what you think.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Response
    Is the "Oneness Pentecostal" church heretical because it  refuses to accept the Trinity?

    First, I would have to define the word "heretical", for I believe that it is important to make sure that we operating within the same definition.

    [Merriam-Webster's dictionary states, Heretical is in relation to heresy. Heresy is characterized by a departure from accepted beliefs or standards: Something that is unorthodox in nature.] 

    [This response does categorize [or attack] all Pentecostals for among Pentecostals there are differing views. I happen to have friends who are Pentecostal that love Jesus and know him both as their Lord and Savior.
    In responding to this message I will be responding to a "sect" of Pentecostalism known as "Oneness Pentecostalism".] 
     
    Historically with exception of some dissenters, the early church has affirmed the [Trinity]. If we look through the curtains of church history we can see [Trinity]. For example if we look at the creeds of the early church [the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed] we see that the early church saw [Trinity]. 

    "We worship one God in the Trinity and The Trinity in unity; we distinguish among the persons, but we do not divide the substance...The entire three persons are co-equal with one another, so that...we worship complete unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity".  [Athanasian Creed]

    Also, if we look throughout the Holy Scriptures [God's Revelation of himself] we can undisputedly hear the word "[Trinity]" echoing throughout the pages. Although others may argue against this statement, yet after looking at the original languages and hearing the "voices" of the early church, the belief in the [Trinity] becomes the theme! 

    However, I believe that your is question is whether I think "Oneness Pentecostalism" is heretical? According to the bible and historic Christianity,  "Oneness Pentecostalism" is heretical [the sect's teaching's about the trinity does not align with teachings of the bible and historic Christianity].

    [The Biblical teachings on the [Trinity] has four essential affirmations]
    1. There is only one true and living God
    2. This one God eternally exists in three persons [God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit]
    3. These three persons a completely equal in attributes, each with the same divine nature.
    4. While each person is fully and completely God, the persons are not identical. 

    ReplyDelete
  3. [The Biblical teachings on the [Trinity] has four essential affirmations]
    These points are from the ESV study Bible
    (See points above 1-4)

    ReplyDelete