Trinity. A mystery of God. Or a dogma of religion.
Trinity, a mystery of God? Or a dogma of religion?
1. The term "Trinity" is not in the Bible
Neither Jesus, nor the apostles, nor any prophet ever used the word "Trinity." Also "tri-unity" or "threefoldness" do not appear a single time in the biblical text.
Instead we read:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is ONE!" Deuteronomy 6:4
(Hebrew: YHWH echad, the Lord is
one). And Jesus confirms it: "I and the Father are one.", John 10:30. No reference to three persons, three gods or a mystical "tri-unity."
2. So where does the concept of "Trinity" come from?
It was developed afterwards, not from the Bible, but from a philosophical-pagan mixture, to link Roman thinking with biblical statements.
Here are the most important stations:
2nd century AD
- First discussions among Church Fathers (e.g. Tertullian)
➤ Attempt to explain God's nature "Greek-logically" ➤ Influence of Platonic thought (three aspects of one idea). 325 AD, Council of Nicaea ➤ Emperor Constantine calls for unity ➤ The term "of the same essence" (homoousios) is introduced
➤ The Son is officially fixed as "equally eternal, equally divine." 381 AD, Council of Constantinople
➤ The Holy Spirit is elevated to the "third person" of the godhead. ➤ The "trinitarian dogma" becomes binding. Result: a philosophical doctrine, sanctioned by a Roman state apparatus, not from Scripture.
3. What does the Bible say about God?
The Bible reveals God as one, and in Christ as the
visible God.
"For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."
, Colossians 2:9
"And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
, Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is not a part of God, he is the fullness of God in person. The Holy Spirit too is not a third, but the Spirit of Christ. "The Lord is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17
4. Why does God sometimes act as Father, sometimes as Son, sometimes as Spirit?
Because God is not limited, he acts in different ways. But it is always the same God. Comparison: a candle has light, warmth and flame, but it is one candle. Not three candles.
So God reveals himself: as Father in origin (invisible, almighty, eternal). As Son in the flesh (visible, tangible, mortal). As Spirit within the believers (invisible, effective, alive). But it is always the same God, not three persons.
5. Why is this so decisive?
Because the Gospel does not preach a three-God, but:
God himself came to us in Christ.
"God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself." 2 Corinthians 5:19
If Jesus were merely "a second person," then the Father did not come himself.
But the Bible says: he himself came. He himself paid. He himself now lives in us, through his Spirit.
6. What about "Let US make man in OUR image"?
, Genesis 1:26
This is the only place where God speaks in the plural, and even there only once. Explanation: the Hebrew word "Elohim" is a plural form but is grammatically always used as singular. God speaks with himself or in the
divine plural (majestic plural).
In the next verses it says again: "So God created man in his own
image..." (Gen 1:27)
Singular.
The Bible remains clear:
"I am the LORD, and there is no other.", Isaiah 45:5
7. Conclusion: No Trinity, but ONE God
- The Bible knows
no three divine persons. It shows
one God who reveals himself in a threefold way. Jesus is
not "a part of God," but the visible God himself. Why does this matter?
Because only this way becomes clear: who hung on the cross, God himself. Who rose, God himself. Who lives in us, God himself. Not three gods. Not a divine committee.
But: JESUS, the name above all names.
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord JESUS." (Colossians 3:17)