Is the Trinity an essential doctrine?

[Sentry]

No, not at all.

Pretend away

 

[depthdeception]

Pretend away

It's interesting that someone who does not affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, and is unable to use theologically precise language about it, is lecturing me on "pretending." I pretend about nothing. There are acceptable ways of speaking about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. While you may not agree with the concept, your unbelief does not warrant you to affirm your belief by using imprecise language and resorting to mischaracterizations. Either you are ignorant about what Christians actually believe about the Trinity, or your refusal to use theologically precise language about this concept is pure belligerence.

 

[mazbeth]

oh great! maybe it was too much to hope for.

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

Really?

And what did Christ "plainly state"?

??? I was replying to your response to my original post! Here it is again.

The Holy Scripture does identify the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity. In fact, all three Persons are mentioned by name by Jesus Himself. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit"

Also see depthdeception's post.

Christians... believe in the Triune God. Christians are defined by their belief in the Trinity and in the deity of Christ. If you do not believe in these realities.

God Bless

Your brother in Christ.

 

[Sentry]

??? I was replying to your response to my original post! Here it is again.


.

Yes Christ plainly identified three entities.

How you perceive that is a plain affirmation of a three in one God is anyone's guess.

JW's read that verse too and it presents no problems for them. You may want to think about that.

 

[edie19]

God Himself speaks of a plurality.

Genesis 1: 26Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."

 

[depthdeception]

God Himself speaks of a plurality.

Genesis 1: 26Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."

THe Jews who wrote these texts would have stoned you for saying this.

 

[michaelmonfre]

yes, the trinity is essential doctrine of the church. the word trinity is not mentioned in scripture yet it is implied in the old testament and the new testament.

ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS HYMNS IS CALLED "HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. THIS HYMN IS ABOUT THE TRINITY

 

[Vaneeza Malkah]

No, not what I'm saying. I'm saying that if other non-biblical practices (that existed before the messiah's birth) were adopted by the churches, then it's plausible to believe that other's also brought their own belief systems (such as the trinity) with them. I however believe oil and water cannot mix.

You make the false assumption that just because other religions had/have similar premises, that the premise is false. If we used your logic, we could say that the Golden Rule, which is found in many religions in one form or another, is also a false doctrine.

 

[reformedfan]

THe Jews who wrote these texts would have stoned you for saying this.

oh really? then why did they use the plural form of the word?

they are still Jews, rather than MEssianic Christians cuz they reject this Biblical doctrine, the believers from all time didn't.

 

[edie19]

oh really? then why did they use the plural form of the word?

they are still Jews, rather than MEssianic Christians cuz they reject this Biblical doctrine, the believers from all time didn't.

I understood depthdeception's comment, which is why I let it go.

Elohim is plural - however there is some disagreement about who the name refers to. There are some who would say that it is a polytheistic term, refering to multiple gods (small g intentional - it can refer to pagan gods) as opposed to YHWH. I prefer the Trinitarian explanation.

edie

 

[Sentry]

God Himself speaks of a plurality.

Genesis 1: 26Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

Genesis 11:7Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."

How is this God speaking of himself in plurality?

Let me illustrate:

Then Jack the Mayor said, "Let us make a statue in our image, after our likeness."

Would you assume that Jack is a multi-personal being now? No, you would assume that Jack is including himself in a group of some sort.

 

[lilmissmontana]

I cannot stress enough how important the message of the father, son, and holy spirit is! For one thing scripture tells us the ONLY unforgiveable sin is denial of the holy spirit. And is not the holy spirit the power behind the word. And would it matter if Jesus was not part. And none would matter without God. I just don't know how much plainer it can be. Good question!

 

[GrinningDwarf]

How is this God speaking of himself in plurality?

Let me illustrate:

Then Jack the Mayor said, "Let us make a statue in our image, after our likeness."

Would you assume that Jack is a multi-personal being now? No, you would assume that Jack is including himself in a group of some sort.

But if God is unique...being even above the angels...then who else would He be talking to? In you example, the Mayor is still a human being and referring to other human beings.

 

[davidoffinland]

From Finland.

I haven´t read all the posts, but this may be interesting to know. The key to understand Christology are really two:

1. Antiochene, beginning with Jesus of the synoptic Gospels and attempting to explain how this man is also God.

OR

2. Alexandrian, beginning with the Word of John´s prologue and attempting to understand the implications of the Logos taking flesh.

Shalom, David.

 

[Sentry]

But if God is unique...being even above the angels...then who else would He be talking to? In you example, the Mayor is still a human being and referring to other human beings.

The US of Gen 1:26 is God and his Wisdom. See Proverbs 8:22ff.

 

[PaladinValer]

The "Us" is probably really the Heavenly Host, God's Court.

However, John 1:1 makes it clear that another reading for "Us" is God speaking through each Person together.

 

[Sentry]

The "Us" is probably really the Heavenly Host, God's Court.

[\QUOTE]

Essentially, the same thing.

 

[PaladinValer]

He is a part of the Court, but as that part, He is the Head, since He is God. The angels are the body of the Court.

 

[AngCath]

Greetings,

Just a quick question that I wanted to get other people's take on: Is belief in the Trinitarian nature of God an essential Christian doctrine?

I will post my answer a little later, I just wanted to know what others think.

YES!!!
and accordingly, all the creeds (Nicene, Apostles, Athanasian) emphasize this fact.