I was in a conversation online with a person who was skeptical of the trinity recently. This was my response.
I hope you’ll consider my thoughts. I’m going to assume you would agree with this. “With God, All things are possible.” If the ONE God decided for a reason to present himself in three different persons could he do that? If you agree that this might be possible for an unlimited infinite God then consider the evidence. Jesus claimed to be God. Eyewitnesses say he came back from the dead and appeared to them multiple times afterwards. I know you know that claim. Does the Old Testament back up the claim? I believe it does. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,” Who exactly is the us? There were no humans so we can rule out those. There were angels and fallen angels but nowhere does it say that angels are made in the image of God. Angels are created beings after all so it’s not logical angels are the us. I think the most logical possibility is that what we are seeing is communication within the Godhead, Father, eternal Son and Spirit. That is why Jesus could say, “I and the Father are one.” Also why he could legitimately claim the divine name, “I AM.” The Pharisees he said that to knew exactly who he was claiming to be. We know from their response. They wanted to stone him for blasphemy. Other OT scriptures: Psalms 107:29-31 New King James Version (NKJV) He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
Matthew 8:23-27 New King James Version (NKJV)But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Over and over Jesus continued to do things that only God can do to prove who he was.
There are literally hundreds of these parallels but I’ll share just one more. I won’t copy all of Isaiah 45 but I suggest you read it. Isaiah 45: 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
The parallel in the NT. Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Both passages were written by Jews who were well aware that to bow the knee to any non Deity would be blasphemy. They knew there is only one Lord and that Lord is God almighty and chose to demonstrate his reality through the Father, Son and Spirit. Only they qualify to be the us from Genesis 1:27. We are made in His image with 3 parts, body, soul and spirit.
Hey John, thanks for the note. I would agree with how you are using a lot of the passages you are referring to. Some good depth there. One thing I would be careful of is partialism with the body, soul and spirit analogy. God is not split into parts as such. Also, be wary of modalism, the same person does not take on three different hats (I don't think this is what you're saying but the part about the unlimited God presenting himself in three persons read a bit that way.
I have some other articles which could assist and I'll be reviewing and republishing some of them soon:
I agree with you. I didn't intend it to sound like modalism and my analogy with the three parts of the body isn't the best way to phrase it. Thanks for you comments.
I was in a conversation online with a person who was skeptical of the trinity recently. This was my response.
I hope you’ll consider my thoughts. I’m going to assume you would agree with this. “With God, All things are possible.” If the ONE God decided for a reason to present himself in three different persons could he do that? If you agree that this might be possible for an unlimited infinite God then consider the evidence. Jesus claimed to be God. Eyewitnesses say he came back from the dead and appeared to them multiple times afterwards. I know you know that claim. Does the Old Testament back up the claim? I believe it does. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,” Who exactly is the us? There were no humans so we can rule out those. There were angels and fallen angels but nowhere does it say that angels are made in the image of God. Angels are created beings after all so it’s not logical angels are the us. I think the most logical possibility is that what we are seeing is communication within the Godhead, Father, eternal Son and Spirit. That is why Jesus could say, “I and the Father are one.” Also why he could legitimately claim the divine name, “I AM.” The Pharisees he said that to knew exactly who he was claiming to be. We know from their response. They wanted to stone him for blasphemy. Other OT scriptures: Psalms 107:29-31 New King James Version (NKJV) He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.
Matthew 8:23-27 New King James Version (NKJV)But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Over and over Jesus continued to do things that only God can do to prove who he was.
There are literally hundreds of these parallels but I’ll share just one more. I won’t copy all of Isaiah 45 but I suggest you read it. Isaiah 45: 23 By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
The parallel in the NT. Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Both passages were written by Jews who were well aware that to bow the knee to any non Deity would be blasphemy. They knew there is only one Lord and that Lord is God almighty and chose to demonstrate his reality through the Father, Son and Spirit. Only they qualify to be the us from Genesis 1:27. We are made in His image with 3 parts, body, soul and spirit.
Reply
Hey John, thanks for the note. I would agree with how you are using a lot of the passages you are referring to. Some good depth there. One thing I would be careful of is partialism with the body, soul and spirit analogy. God is not split into parts as such. Also, be wary of modalism, the same person does not take on three different hats (I don't think this is what you're saying but the part about the unlimited God presenting himself in three persons read a bit that way.
I have some other articles which could assist and I'll be reviewing and republishing some of them soon:
https://streettheologian.substack.com/p/short-conversations-muslims-on-the-trinity-19d1312ac017?utm_source=publication-search
https://streettheologian.substack.com/p/short-conversations-trinity-in-the-old-testament-483579e78347?utm_source=publication-search
Plus obviously some of the linked articles in this article.
Thanks again for reaching out.
Street Theologian
I agree with you. I didn't intend it to sound like modalism and my analogy with the three parts of the body isn't the best way to phrase it. Thanks for you comments.
Yes that's fair enough. Thanks John.