A Closer Look At The Trinity Doctrine David FieldNovember 5, 2009
When I decided I should give my love to God, my first concern was, how do I love someone I do not know. It seems to me that an understanding of who He is at a basic level would be a good place to start.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
John says here that we are to understand God. Trinity Doctrine Defined
The Christian church today teaches that God is one, and God is a trinity of beings. There are three personages in the one person of this God. This doctrine indicates that God the father, Jesus the Son of God the Father, and the Holy Spirit of God are separate individuals, but consecutively, all one in the same. Here is a typical explanation for the trinity doctrine from the Christian religion today:
“The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not expect to be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God.”
Then Paul’s use of the word “mystery” is quoted as meaning something for us not to understand. We will look at this word from Paul "mystery" later.
But when you start out by saying, “this subject is impossible to understand, and unexplainable", then go on to speak from a position of authority on the subject, something is amiss. How can you claim to be an authority on the subject that you just admitted you do not understand? Once you make the statement that you don’t understand the subject matter, it is time to close, and keep quiet.
The obvious reason it doesn’t make sense is because it is simply not a truism. This concept of the trinity is incomprehensible because it just doesn’t add up. God created the laws of nature, and one of them is mathematics. One, plus one, plus one, is a total of three, not one. Jesus would not speak of himself as his own father. He was talking to men. He always uses language we can understand. When he is talking to farmers, he uses parables about planting and harvesting. When he is talking to fishermen, he talks about catching fish. And he talks about servants, and masters to those in those positions. Jesus never spoke to be not-understood. Why would he waste his time?
The Holy Bible
Let us learn about God through the Word of God. Most of us use the King James Version of the bible. This version was derived from the Catholic Latin bible, which was translated from the Greek Septuagint. The Greek Septuagint was translated from the other original languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Earlier Greek. Even the other modern translations still contain heavy influences from the aforementioned. The purpose of this writing is not to do a study of the history of the bible, except to say that through the translations, our bible today does not exactly equal the original texts. Before you start hollering out “blasphemy!” consider this: There is no human way to correlate these different languages one for one, on a word for word basis, even if the translators were pure of heart, meaning without bias. The answer Christianity gives for this is they believe the Holy Bible is flawless as a result of the Holy Spirit’s careful guarding throughout the years. All things can be measured and evaluated by the Word of God, and there is no chapter and verse for that hypothesis. While I am sure God had a hand in preserving his Word, I can also see that not all versions are equal. The original writers were inspired of God, but King James and his men were not directly inspired of God. And the earlier Catholic church?
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
So how can I quote scripture from a text I have just refuted? I didn’t say it was totally corrupt. When something doesn’t add up in sensibility, then go to an earlier writing. When studying the King James Version of the bible, one needs to be aware that the language then was different than the English we speak today. Some words have changed meaning enough to change the entire meaning of the subject.
The Mystery
1 Cothintians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
The Apostle Paul used the word “musterion” in the Greek, translated to “mystery” in the King James English, speaking of God. So it is taken as we are not to know. Strong’s Greek dictionary defines this word “musterion” as “the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly” I am the righteousness of God, being redeemed by the blood of Christ! So it is for me to know. Seek the truth. Don’t give up so easily.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Ephesians 3 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Plural God?
Now lets look at this word “God” in our English bible, and then go to the original languages. There are many words in the original languages for our one word “God” in either the King James English or our modern English language. You don’t have to take my word for it. You can easily check it out for yourself. The word for “God” in the bible does not always mean “The One True God” as we using modern English now use the word.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
In this verse, Strong’s references the word “‘Elohiym” as used in the original Hebrew for the word “God” in the King James. Strongs:
'elohiym Hebrew, Noun Masculine plural of eloah (God)
(plural) rulers, judges divine ones angels gods (plural intensive - singular meaning) god, goddess godlike one works or special possessions of God the (true) God God
Here is a major area Christianity goes wrong in the understanding of this word. One cannot just look up the word, one word at a time. You must understand the language and usage of the word in context. In modern English we do not speak of a single person in the plural, but both Old English, and Hebrew used this form of speech. Royalty spoke of one’s self using the word “we”. This scripture was indeed inspired of God, but written in Hebrew by the person holding the pen, and in this person’s language. Here we are obviously talking about the one true creator God. There is no indication of multiplicity of gods here.
Jesus and His Father Are One
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
This scripture begs the question, "one what?". The trinity doctrine assumes "one personage". But this interpretation conflicts with other scripture. For example, no one begets themselves. We know the Word of God can never conflict itself, or it would all be counted as false. Most of these misinterpretations of scripture is a result of a refusal to go beyond the King James Version of the bible. We must in some cases, go to a deeper study of the Word of God. What were Jesus original words, and the meaning of them? Not knowing the original meaning of the word “one” as used in the Greek language leaves confusion. The word could mean the number “one” in the Greek, if a person was referring to a number. But this sentence is talking about personages, so in this context the writer is referring to another common usage of the word which is “agreement”.
John 1 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
This is the main argument given in support of the trinity doctrine. Looking up the original Greek word used for the English word “god”, was not defined as God the Father. Jesus is God does not mean Jesus is God the Father. Abraham worshiped a god he called the one True Living God. He as yet had no knowledge of Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. This God, in Hebrew was called “Yahweh”, or in English, “Jehovah”. The word “god” does not fully encompass his name because “god” means anything that an individual worships, or places first or of high importance in their life. Pagan peoples had their gods. Jehovah is the most used name in the bible for God the father, and differentiates the god of Abraham from all other and false gods.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Here is another verse used to support the idea that Jesus is his own father. This verse does not say Jesus will be his own father. The Hebrew word “Ab” is used, meaning a father, or head or originator of a family, or a ruler or a chief. There can be more than one person referred to as father, but one individual can only have one father. So just because the word “father” is used, does not mean “Father God”.
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 12 49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Jesus The Creator?
Colossians 1 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
This verse seems to say that Jesus created all things. The original Greek word for the King James “by” is “by”, or “in”, or “with”.
This states Jesus in the image of God. One is never described as the image of one’s self. He was the first born of God the Father.
The I AM Argument Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
In Exodus God used the phrase “I AM” to name himself “the Self-Existent One” and using these words in this way makes it a title. In the book of John, Jesus used the phrase “I am” (Greek, Ego eimi), not as a title, but to attest that his Messiahship existed prior to Abraham. Therefore, the phrase “I am” holds different meanings in these two verses.
God Is One
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD (Yaweh – the existing one) our God (Elohim – majestic plural divinity) is one LORD (Yaweh):
1 Corinthians 8:4 and that there is none other God but one.
Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Jesus Said
Evidence that God the father and Jesus are two different individuals comes from Jesus own words, “No one knows the day nor the hour of my return, but my father only”. If the two actually shared the same mind, then they would both have the same knowledge. Jesus also said, I go to the father, and he is to sit on the right hand of God. Jesus was saying that he was presently separated bodily from the father. One cannot sit beside ones self.
Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thoug me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Mark 16:18 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
God has his order in heaven, as in everything else. Jesus as the Son of God is subject to the father by his own admission. Jesus said he came to do the work of the father. He also said that he only says and does what he saw the father say and do. When Jesus said, “when you see me, you see the father”, means he is a perfect representation of the father. Jesus never said I am God the father, and he never said I am my own father. Jesus never claimed to be "God the Father", or Yahweh. Jesus said, he repeats the words of the father. He comes in the name of his father. He represents his father. He and his father are one; meaning of one mind, or in accord, as a man and wife are one.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 10 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall anymanpluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gavethemme, is greater than all; and nomanis able to pluckthemout of my Father's hand.
We need to apply common sense when reading any language. This trinity doctrine is another example of getting hung up on words, not looking at the context, or the overall picture. Bringing up this “duel God” issue is just another wording problem. God the Father can have a family if he wants. Man was created in His image. We are not three persons in one.