The Plurality of the Godhead

The plurality of the Godhead

The plurality of the Godhead is well established in the Bible. This perhaps is no surprise to most of my readers (either one of them). What may be a surprise is that this teaching can and is substantiated in the Old Testament. Since the OT is foundational to the New Testament we will begin by uncovering this doctrine there. My suggestion is that if you wish further discussion on any topic pertinent these posts one obtain e-Sword, and/or have Bible Gateway up on your screen and be prepared to cut and paste verses for only in rare occasions will I be providing a link. Please understand it is just way too time consuming for me to do that, and besides that you’ll want to read the contexts anyway.

Next post if God permits we will begin with the Plurality of the Godhead in the Old Testament.

Stay bright,
brother John

Errors Concerning Trinitarianism

Having given in a nutshell a definition of the Trinity, we will now move ahead to stating in no uncertain terms what the Trinity is not. The task of a teacher is not only to expound the truth; it is also to expose error and expel the scoundrels. There are mainly five errors concerning the Tri-Unity of the Godhead that I will expose before we move onto the plurality of the Godhead.

Five Errors Concerning the Trinity

Arianism
Arianism, this teaches that the three persons are different in essence. Only God the Father is eternal. The Son was created by the Father. (Jehovah Witnesses hold to this one sort of).

Sabellianism
Sabellianism (Modalism, Modalistic Monarchisms) Says that there is only one personality, with three modes of manifestations; The manifestation of the Father, creator and law giver; the Son, as a redeemer; the Holy Spirit, as a regenerator and sanctifier. There is only one person who reveals Himself either as the Father or the Son or as the Holy Spirit. (This is taught in Apostolic Holiness churches)

Socinianism
Socinianism (Dynamic Monarchianism) is a devaluation of the Tri-unity. The Father alone is God, the Son is a man only, and the Holy Spirit is not a person but simply a divine influence. (This better fits the Watch Toer Tract and Bible Society or Jehovah Witnesses idea).

Unitarianism
Unitarianism denies the Tri-personality of the Godhead, and instead insists on a limited understanding of the monotheistic God.

Tri-theism
Tri-theism denies the unity of the Godhead and sees the trinity as three separate and distinct gods. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Mormons hold to this view, but reserves the right to create even more gods in almost a Hindu fashion).

These are five ideas that are not taught in the Bible. None of the aforementioned errors are what this Bible student holds to. There is a unity in the plurality of the Godhead, but before we probe further into the study of the unity of the Godhead I feel it is critical at this juncture to lay the biblical foundation for the plurality of the Godhead. That we will do next time if God permits.

Trinitarianism: Definition

Definition

For an accurate definition let me start by quoting one of my favorite living theologians, author, and Bible teacher Arnold Fruchtenbaum. It is primarily Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s teaching that has both influenced and inspired this segment of Systematic Theology, his teaching ministry is also the reason I love, Love, LOVE Systematic Theology.

“There is only One God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three eternal and coequal persons. They are the same in substance or essence, but distinct in subsistence or existence.

God is three persons in one essence. The Divine essence subsists wholly and indivisibly, simultaneously and eternally, in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Try to explain it, you loose your mind. Try to deny it, you loose your soul.” (Fruchtenbaum)

Before we prove, the accuracy of this statement from the Bible I want to make sure we understand what Trinitarianism is not. I will do this on the next post if God permits. In the mean time chew on this for a while.

Brother John

Trinitarianism: Introduction

Let’s Be Clear

The teaching of the Tri-Unity of the Godhead is a solid biblical doctrine that we, mere lay people and some of you, professional lay people can get a grip on. Some one may argue “It is too mysterious; we must take it by faith.” It is true that the Trinity is no easy doctrine to grasp that is why God preserved the Bible and gave the church competent teachers that open and unfold the Scriptures to others. BTW it is the joy of the expositor to do this, may it be your joy and to your credit to do your best to search the Word on your own to see if what the expositor teaches rings true.

Here is the seven point outline which I hope to follow:

Definition

Errors Concerning Trinitarianism

The Plurality of the Godhead

The Unity of the Godhead

The Trinity or Tri-Unity of the Godhead

The Relationship within the Trinity

Doctrinal Statement of the Trinity

I know this seems like a lot of ground to cover. There may not be the immediate application as other segments of Systematic Theology. However, we will get a firm understanding of this doctrine, especially if we read and mark our Bibles appropriately. As I have done in the past I will keep an open forum for discussion and/or debate. The only “rules”, as always are; to be courteous, and respectful of others views and opinions that goes double for mine.

In Him who is committed to us,
Brother John