A Definition of the Trinity

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Homer
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Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by Homer » Fri Jan 01, 2016 10:54 am

Paidon,

You say Jesus is not God but that He is deity. Given the definition of God it has always seemed to me your view is a form of polytheism:
God
/ɡäd/
noun

noun: God; noun: god; plural noun: gods; plural noun: the gods
1. (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.
You acknowledge that Jesus created the world, and He has all authority. You say He is deity. Given that deity is recognized as a synonym for God, what is the difference in your mind? Is it the "job title" or something else?

From your viewpoint you say I am modalist and I say you are polytheistic and we both deny what seems apparent to the other.

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Paidion
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Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by Paidion » Fri Jan 01, 2016 3:14 pm

Hi Homer,you wrote:You say Jesus is not God but that He is deity. Given the definition of God it has always seemed to me your view is a form of polytheism
I use the word "deity" with reference to the God-essence of both the Father and the Son. The early Trinitarians called this essence a "substance" or the Greek word transliterated —hypostasis. The main use of the word "God" refers to an Individual.

Throughout the New Testament, it always refers to the father when "theos" (God) has the article and there are no other modifiers.
I searched for "o θεος" (the God) used in the nominative case (the subject of a verb) in the New Testament. There were 244 occurrences of the phrase. I didn't have the patience examine every one of them in detail, but of the many dozen I did examine, every one of them referred the Father. Not one of them referred to the Son or the Holy Spirit. If God is a Trinity or a Binity, one would expect at least one instance to refer to such a compound God—but not one.

I also searched for "τον θεον" (the God) in the accusative case (the object of a verb). There were 111 occurrences of the phrase. Again, each of the dozens I examined referred to the Father. Not one referred to the Son, the Holy Spirit, or to a compound God. Is it any wonder that I am a unitarian, as was Jesus who called His Father "the only true God" in His prayer.
You acknowledge that Jesus created the world...
No I don't. I acknowledge that the Father created the world THROUGH the Son.
... and He has all authority.

Yes, all authority in heaven and on earth was GIVEN to Him by the Father. He did not possess it apart from that gift.
You say He is deity. Given that deity is recognized as a synonym for God, what is the difference in your mind?
Here is the difference:
Deity is a synonym for "God-essence" or "hypostasis". The Father and the Son are of the same divine essence. Therefore the Son can be called "God" or "Deity" in that sense.
But in the New Testament the word "God" is used nearly always in reference to the Father alone. The Son is NOT God in the sense of being the same divine Individual as the Father. Even Trinitarians and Binitarians recognize this (though Modalists do not. They believe the Father and the Son are the same Person).
Paidion

Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.

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dizerner

Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by dizerner » Fri Jan 01, 2016 5:40 pm

Pretty clear in Scripture it's idolatry to call something deity that isn't God.

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Paidion
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Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by Paidion » Fri Jan 01, 2016 8:28 pm

And pretty clear in all my posts in this thread, that the word "God" is used in two distinct ways. In one of these ways, Jesus is God; in the other, He isn't.

Both of these ways occurs in John 1:1. But the word is NEVER used in the Bible to denote a compound God—a trinity or a binity.
Paidion

Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.

Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.

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21centpilgrim
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Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by 21centpilgrim » Sat Jan 30, 2016 1:05 pm

Paidon, thank you for stating your beliefs and your answers in various places on this thread. I find it extremely helpful and encouraging.
Grace and peace to you and all the brethren here.
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.

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Paidion
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Re: A Definition of the Trinity

Post by Paidion » Sat Jan 30, 2016 2:31 pm

21centpilgrim

Image

May the enabling grace of God be with you, too!
Paidion

Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.

Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.

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