the trinity

[jenna]

I wanted to start a debate on the validity of the trinity. This is a hot topic, but I don't see where it is validated in scripture.

[SeekerSA]

Hi jenna.

Pierac did a study on the trinity looking at all angles.  Read here and comment here

Blessings

[AbbasChild]

I know that this is indeed a controversial topic and personaly I don't like the term 'Trinity' that was hammerd out in the 4th century. In my point of view this doctirne came about because humans tried to explain in their terms and language to describe what they experienced in the Spirit. Those who worked out this doctrine were interestingly enough all believers in universal salvation so far I remember. Sadly it has been greatly misunderstood what they tried to convey. In the west for example the 'Trinity' is understood in hierachical terms, while in the eastern tradition it continued to be viewed as the Divine Dance of Love from which all of creation was birthed. While the western 'fathers' were very much into powermongering, the eastern 'fathers' followed the mystical tradition and were much less interested in maintianing the instituion than in what it contained. They also described the   concept of the 'Trinity' with the word 'Perichoresis' (mutual coinherince and indwelling), the Divine Dance of Love, and used it as the foundation for the teaching of 'Theosis' (Sonship). Some good material on this can be found at this website:

http://www.perichoresis.org/

A lot of people here have donea lot of studieng on this and not all have come to the same conclusions. We are all on a journey, and even though I think much more (again) in 'trinitarian' terms I don't have any issues with those who see things differently. For "in the end it is about knowing our Heavenly Father's heart and not to correctly divide the Godhead" (to quote Charles Slagle).

For me personaly there was never a time when the Father was not the Father, and for that the Son has to be Eternal. Abba is the Lover, Jesus the Beloved and they fellowship in the Divine Spirit of Love. Just like a man and a woman are one and yet seperate, so they share their life in the Eternal Realms. And whatever the Father begets (in Eternity) is by its nature also Eternal and Divine.

For further study I also recommend the books: "The Jewish Trinity" and Athansius' "The Incarnation Of The Word":

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil//history/ath-inc.htm

But most of all I think one needs to rely on the Holy Spirit to show the truth of the matter. And sometimes it can even be quite unhealthy for our spiritual life to think to much about this thinks. At least in my experience. But nevertheless a interesting topic, no matter to which conclusion one comes.

[Apocatastasis]

Jenna, I'd be glad to debate you on the subject of the Trinity.  What position will you be defending?

[jenna]

I do not believe in the trinity as far as the Holy Spirit as a being. I believe the Holy Spirit is more of God's power than an actual being.

[Apocatastasis]

Isn't Spirit the essence of God?  I'm not sure I see any grounds for distinguishing between God and the Holy Spirit.

[jenna]

The spirit is the essence of God, yes. It is His essence that He gives when we are baptized in His name. It isn't God Himself. He doesn't give Himself to us after baptizm.

[SeekerSA]

Thread locked

There is already a discussion in progress on this.