Shall We Discuss the Trinity?
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2015 3:12 pm
"No" is a perfectly acceptable answer.
I've been having a hankering for some FRIENDLY discussion over the Bible and the Trinity doctrine. The thing is, that can be kind of a hot button topic for some and I don't want to generate any hard feelings or resentment toward each other or each others' beliefs, so I'd rather avoid that.
That said, I think it can really be a discussion worth having, because there are so many interesting things in the text that address this in subtle ways that can be fun to talk about. I think if we go into it with the understanding that nobody's going to change their mind, and we're all okay with that, then it can be a fruitful conversation.
To be clear, I am not a believer in the Trinity myself. I hold God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct beings who operate with a united purpose.
Anyone up for that? If so, then I'll open the discussion with (KJV) Matthew Chapter 19 verse 16,17:
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
In this verse, a disciple addresses Jesus, asking what he needs to do to have eternal life, which Jesus does go on to answer starting in verse 18, but first he questions why the man refers to Him as good, when only God is good.
Now, I understand that the word "good" here is used to refer to the perfection of God. What's interesting here is that Jesus seems to be differentiating between Himself and God, which we take to mean Heavenly Father here. This is not the only time He does this, but I'm only focusing on this one part for now.
What I'm interested in knowing is how someone who believes in the Trinity interprets this.
EDIT: I probably should have placed this in the debate section. If any of you mods or admins agree, then please by all means move it. I apologize for my carelessness on that.
I've been having a hankering for some FRIENDLY discussion over the Bible and the Trinity doctrine. The thing is, that can be kind of a hot button topic for some and I don't want to generate any hard feelings or resentment toward each other or each others' beliefs, so I'd rather avoid that.
That said, I think it can really be a discussion worth having, because there are so many interesting things in the text that address this in subtle ways that can be fun to talk about. I think if we go into it with the understanding that nobody's going to change their mind, and we're all okay with that, then it can be a fruitful conversation.
To be clear, I am not a believer in the Trinity myself. I hold God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three distinct beings who operate with a united purpose.
Anyone up for that? If so, then I'll open the discussion with (KJV) Matthew Chapter 19 verse 16,17:
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
In this verse, a disciple addresses Jesus, asking what he needs to do to have eternal life, which Jesus does go on to answer starting in verse 18, but first he questions why the man refers to Him as good, when only God is good.
Now, I understand that the word "good" here is used to refer to the perfection of God. What's interesting here is that Jesus seems to be differentiating between Himself and God, which we take to mean Heavenly Father here. This is not the only time He does this, but I'm only focusing on this one part for now.
What I'm interested in knowing is how someone who believes in the Trinity interprets this.
EDIT: I probably should have placed this in the debate section. If any of you mods or admins agree, then please by all means move it. I apologize for my carelessness on that.