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The Christian view is that God is one Being yet three Persons. I am using definitions that are consistent with Christian theology.
If this is not true, Trinitarians are polytheists.
And, the verse you pointed out is an indication of the plurality of Persons, but if you continue reading past that verse, it says God made man in HIS image. Therefore it applies a singular pronoun in reference to God.
That is why the Christian definition is that there is one God (being or essence) yet three Persons (personhood).
Except for heretical theologians, you won't find other theologians claiming God is three separate beings. In fact, that would be a plain sign that the person doesn't know what he's talking about, because the Bible condemns polytheism. Polytheism means "many gods" and monotheism means "one God".
Christians are monotheists, not polytheists.
If this is not true, Trinitarians are polytheists.
And, the verse you pointed out is an indication of the plurality of Persons, but if you continue reading past that verse, it says God made man in HIS image. Therefore it applies a singular pronoun in reference to God.
That is why the Christian definition is that there is one God (being or essence) yet three Persons (personhood).
Except for heretical theologians, you won't find other theologians claiming God is three separate beings. In fact, that would be a plain sign that the person doesn't know what he's talking about, because the Bible condemns polytheism. Polytheism means "many gods" and monotheism means "one God".
Christians are monotheists, not polytheists.
Regarding monotheism, here's one article with a few Scriptural references..there are many more one could cite. Much of the OT warned against claiming there is more than one God.
That is why Mormonism and the teachings of Herbert Armstrong are so grievous..both propose that there is more than one God in existence, AND they claim humans can become gods in the same sense that God is God.
Monotheism, polytheism, henotheism, and tritheism are the different positions regarding the nature of God. None of them are orthodox except the monotheistic view. Within the monotheistic view, Trinitarianism is the correct one.
https://www.gotquestions.org/monotheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/polytheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/henotheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/one-true-God.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Tritheism-Trinity.html
As I mentioned above, God (YHVH) refers to himself using singular pronouns. Therefore there is only one God, and monotheism is true. Yet, we know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons who are themselves God. Therefore, Trinitarianism is the only possible biblical teaching on this matter of the nature of God.
The belief presented above by the other individual would be tri-theism. Tri-theists believe there are three separate god beings. Read the last article to see why Tritheism is an incorrect view.
Some are confused, but almost every cult denies the Trinity and attempts to undermine the teaching, including the cult I was associated with in my distant past.
That is why Mormonism and the teachings of Herbert Armstrong are so grievous..both propose that there is more than one God in existence, AND they claim humans can become gods in the same sense that God is God.
Monotheism, polytheism, henotheism, and tritheism are the different positions regarding the nature of God. None of them are orthodox except the monotheistic view. Within the monotheistic view, Trinitarianism is the correct one.
https://www.gotquestions.org/monotheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/polytheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/henotheism.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/one-true-God.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Tritheism-Trinity.html
As I mentioned above, God (YHVH) refers to himself using singular pronouns. Therefore there is only one God, and monotheism is true. Yet, we know the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are distinct persons who are themselves God. Therefore, Trinitarianism is the only possible biblical teaching on this matter of the nature of God.
The belief presented above by the other individual would be tri-theism. Tri-theists believe there are three separate god beings. Read the last article to see why Tritheism is an incorrect view.
Some are confused, but almost every cult denies the Trinity and attempts to undermine the teaching, including the cult I was associated with in my distant past.
It has been made clear in the bible that there is only one God. I really don't care what the prevailing Christian view is because the nature of God is not predicated on these beliefs and as to whether or not the nature of God is consistent with Christian theology. The word 'His', a masculine term, refers to God but God is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Take away one or more of these entities and there would be no God. Again, my own personal understanding on this is not predicated either on what theologians claim who God is and what He is about but only as I am led to believe by the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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I find your attitude to be similar to many church rebels who hang out here. Much of this thread contains their posts.
It seems to be the attitude of the guy who formed the cult I belonged to. He viewed himself as being the only one who was able to discern what Scripture said, and put no weight on church history. It is a very prideful attitude, and leads into spiritual darkness ultimately. I realize I'm not the first Christian to come on the scene, and that I stand on the shoulders of other great men of God.
By the way, the prevailing view of theologians is in line with Scripture. One can easily refer to the Scriptures they cite to verify it.
It is obvious there is one God in one sense, and there are three Persons. Christianity has described the oneness as one of being or essence, and the threeness in terms of person. This is perfectly coherent, and there is no conflict.
This statement you made is perfectly correct and consistent with Trinitarianism, only you can't take away one of the Persons because they are coessential: The word 'His' refers to God but God is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Take away one or more of these entities and there would be no God.
Maybe you have a vocabulary issue, but it's hard to tell.
It seems to be the attitude of the guy who formed the cult I belonged to. He viewed himself as being the only one who was able to discern what Scripture said, and put no weight on church history. It is a very prideful attitude, and leads into spiritual darkness ultimately. I realize I'm not the first Christian to come on the scene, and that I stand on the shoulders of other great men of God.
By the way, the prevailing view of theologians is in line with Scripture. One can easily refer to the Scriptures they cite to verify it.
It is obvious there is one God in one sense, and there are three Persons. Christianity has described the oneness as one of being or essence, and the threeness in terms of person. This is perfectly coherent, and there is no conflict.
This statement you made is perfectly correct and consistent with Trinitarianism, only you can't take away one of the Persons because they are coessential: The word 'His' refers to God but God is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Take away one or more of these entities and there would be no God.
Maybe you have a vocabulary issue, but it's hard to tell.
Actually, I have a lot of issues.
My attitude is to simply try my best to discern the Word of God and to allow it to guide me on my spiritual walk with the Lord. I have made no claim as to being the only one able to discern what scripture states, or even claim to be right, but rather only stated what I have been led to believe based on my own personal level of spiritual understanding in this matter. Personally, I would not stand on the shoulders of other great men of God but rather strictly on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in regards to spiritual understanding.
Apparently, you believe as I do as to the true nature of God so I really don't understand the problem that you seem to have with what I do or do not believe.
Based on my own personal observation and experience I would have to say that there is no prevailing view among theologians on even the smallest of biblical points but rather there is constant conflict and debate. This is an exercise in futility and is not spiritually edifying and at times is destructive.
It is not that important to me to prove that I am right regardless of the expense of someone else. I would rather be happy than to cause turmoil to prove that I am right and someone else is wrong.
My attitude is to simply try my best to discern the Word of God and to allow it to guide me on my spiritual walk with the Lord. I have made no claim as to being the only one able to discern what scripture states, or even claim to be right, but rather only stated what I have been led to believe based on my own personal level of spiritual understanding in this matter. Personally, I would not stand on the shoulders of other great men of God but rather strictly on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in regards to spiritual understanding.
Apparently, you believe as I do as to the true nature of God so I really don't understand the problem that you seem to have with what I do or do not believe.
Based on my own personal observation and experience I would have to say that there is no prevailing view among theologians on even the smallest of biblical points but rather there is constant conflict and debate. This is an exercise in futility and is not spiritually edifying and at times is destructive.
It is not that important to me to prove that I am right regardless of the expense of someone else. I would rather be happy than to cause turmoil to prove that I am right and someone else is wrong.
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There is a consensus amongst evangelical scholars on the following:
1) the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ (Jesus is God and glorified man)
2) monotheism or the belief in one God
3) the doctrine of the Trinity
4) justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone
5) the inspiration and sole authority of Scripture as the rule of faith
6) substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross (Jesus died in the place of the believer)
7) original sin
8) virgin birth of Jesus
9) bodily resurrection of Jesus and
10) eternal reward of the righteous and eternal punishment of the unrighteous.
Creedal statements are consistent in mentioning these points.
Cults often point to the inconsistencies amongst different Christians, but all knowledgeable evangelicals would affirm these points.
1) the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ (Jesus is God and glorified man)
2) monotheism or the belief in one God
3) the doctrine of the Trinity
4) justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone
5) the inspiration and sole authority of Scripture as the rule of faith
6) substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross (Jesus died in the place of the believer)
7) original sin
8) virgin birth of Jesus
9) bodily resurrection of Jesus and
10) eternal reward of the righteous and eternal punishment of the unrighteous.
Creedal statements are consistent in mentioning these points.
Cults often point to the inconsistencies amongst different Christians, but all knowledgeable evangelicals would affirm these points.
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J
not what i asked but ok.
grrrr! it makes me sick that "those people" have infected the site! i remember back in the good ole days they had to sit at the back of the bus, separate water fountains, not allowed to walk on the sidewalk, had to wear an armband and if they talked back you could tie them to a tree and whip em!
grrrr! it makes me sick that "those people" have infected the site! i remember back in the good ole days they had to sit at the back of the bus, separate water fountains, not allowed to walk on the sidewalk, had to wear an armband and if they talked back you could tie them to a tree and whip em!
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