SATURDAY CONTROVERSIES: IS THE TRINITY AN ESSENTIAL OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH? - PART 1

 

The Plains of Heaven by John Martin

In introducing this series, I tried to say that I'm dealing with issues that are second and third tier issues, not those of utmost importance. But is the Trinity a first tier issue? 

One thing that made me feel good about my thinking is to hear something I had thought about in dealing with a theological issue stated by a respected theologian. In this case, I'm referring to a concept that James White, author of the excellent "The Forgotten Trinity" mentioned. This thought is represented by a triangle, but not what you think it stands for. One of the sides is labeled "Only one God." The second side is labeled "Jesus Is God." Finally, the third is "Three Persons, One God". 

Allow me to say that the Trinity is a simple concept to say but difficult to comprehend. Any attempt to illustrate it - such as H20 being ice, water, steam, or an egg being yolk, white, and shell - fails in at least one point  Does that weaken this doctrine? I. Don't. Think. So. We are talking about God. Of course, dealing with God and His nature should be expected beyond our fallible mortal paygrade. To be able to comprehend God is lowering Him to our level.

Anybody disagree that the Bible teaches Monotheism as an essential belief? If you're not a Trinitarian, let me give a fact that some are either unconsciously or consciously ignoring: All Trinitarians believe Monotheism is an essential belief. Trinitarians do not believe in three Gods, but one God in three persons. Any other "god" deserves the quotation marks. 

Most Trinity deniers have one target they attack - the Deity of Christ. Some say He was just a man, while others say He was a spiritual being such as an archangel. But the deity of Christ is not only taught throughout the New Testament (Jesus forgiving the sins of the paralytic, which only God could do in Matthew 9:1-7; saying "Before Abraham was I Am" in John 8:58; Jesus accepting worship which the disciples and angels didn't and Herod did and died as a result), but in the Old Testament there are appearances of God to Jacob, Samson's parents, and Gideon; since no one saw God (John 1:18) and God is Spirit, it is logical that these were pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ.

There is another group of Trinity rejecters that affirm that Jesus is God. But they don't believe in three persons to the one God. Rather, they believe Jesus is God and that He sometimes take the role of the Father, sometimes that of the Son, and yet other times as the Spirit; this belief is called Modalism or Sabellianism. Now, while Scripture makes the case of Monotheism and Christ's Deity are essential, does it state that believing one God in three Persons is a salvation requirement? While most Trinitarians believe it is, others are open to Modalists being considered believers. One problem, though, is that most Modalists also believe their view is an essential tenet of faith.

I do believe the Bible clearly teaches the Trinity (see Matthew 3:5-7; 28:19). Main reason - it's a uniquely Christian doctrine. There are triads, but no other religion teaches in a Trinity, or maybe better called a Tri-Unity. There are religions, though, that are Monotheistic but not Christian.  

Some claim that the pope originated Trinitarianism. Uh, at that time there was not an official pope - that happed a couple of centuries later with Leo the Great. More often, Constantine is blamed for starting a new religion to control the people, but why then did he not hold on to emperor worship? Plus, the originator of the term "Trinity" was Tertullian, a century before Nicea. 

One other point - Under Trinitarianism, God had fellowship between the Three Persons before man was created. God didn't need us for fellowship, nor were the created angels sufficient for fellowship. To me, the Trinity makes perfect sense.

BOOK REVIEW - SUPERHEROES CAN'T SAVE YOU: EPIC EXAMPLES OF HISTORIC HERESIES BY TODD MILES

 

Who says Christian apologetics can't be fun?

Todd Miles (professor at Western Seminary in Portland, OR) has given a useful and relevant understanding of who Christ is in his book Superheroes Can't Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies. He looks at seven incorrect views of who Jesus Christ is through history (he refers to them as bad ideas about Jesus) and compares these distortions with various superheroes. The result is a fun, readable book that helps us understand doctrine.

Each chapter follows this format:

1. Introduction to the superhero and autobiographical insights
2. The heresy (or false teaching or "bad idea about Jesus"
3. Who follows this heresy today? (In this section, he'll mention particular groups that hold to that teaching but also ways that someone may be slipping into a particular trap of thinking that isn't accurate.
4. What does the Bible say?
5. Why does it matter?

When I was younger, I considered the three most important aspects of theology to be Bibliology (the Inspiration of the Bible), Christology (who Jesus is) and Soteriology (the teaching on salvation). While I consider all three (and also all other areas of theology) important still, I'm at the point of believing Christology is the most important. Of course, you need a solid Bibliology to have a solid Christology, and if you have a proper Christology, you will by default realize our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Thus, this book is helpful in identifying a Biblically consistent Christology.
I highly recommend this book both as a student of the Word (I considered calling myself a theologian - it sounds more intellectual and intimidating, even though "theologian" and "student of the Word" are the same thing) and as a comic book fan.