Hi, that's your concern/profession, not mine. I don't interpret the Bible as you do. God created time and space and He is infinite and Almighty. I believe that there is nothing that He does not know and sees past/present/future all at once. As a help to you, consider that if prophets can know...
The existence of "a god" in addition to God, seems even more polytheistic than the Trinity explanation.
In regards to your interpretation of "a god" in John 1:1, the New World Translation (the Bible used by JWs) translates the same word, "theos", without the definite article, as Jehovah (God)...
I think there is a difference between begotten vs. created.
At any rate, I will repeat that I propose that: a.) Both Christians and JWs are interpreting these Scriptures too seriously/literally due to the pagan influences and b.) This Greek/Roman/pagan (including Roman government) influence...
I believe that God knows all of His creation before it takes physical form. I believe that He is not limited by time and space and knows all including what we call the past, present, and future from a human perspective. Therefore, I believe that from all eternity: He knew us all and even our...
Roman pagans believed that Jupiter was "a god".
"Son" and "begotten" are much more filial in nuance than "only direct creation". So, the Bible says "only begotten Son", and you speak of Jesus as "only direct creation"? I would see this as a possible example of someone putting their own spin on...
I agree with you about monotheism in general but I find your views of the interpretation of John 1:1 by others to be unreasonable/unfair. I think sincere scholarship would admit, that if John 1:1 is interpreted seriously/literally then Jesus is spoken of as divine (as you yourself have stated)...
Hi Ken, I like your approach: Open, honest, sincere.
Certainly I mean no disrespect to Scripture, and I especially respect that the NT is the book of many who are serious about their faith and love of God. I would suggest try to put yourself in the reality of the time and place of the first few...
Unlike some passages, John 1:1 is one where the divinity of Jesus is indeed bound with the Trinitarian understanding. However, this is one of those areas (as I have said in general) about the Gospel of John where the real explanation may need not be a Trinity doctrine but simply Scriptures based...
OK, Deeje, I apologize, because I do see a Jewish explanation that is very similar to yours. I am sorry.
http://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/answers/jewish-polemics/trinity/what-is-the-claim-where-jesus-says-qbefore-abraham-came-into-being-i-amq-john-858/
Is Jewish literature where...
No. This is not "Trinitarian favorite", or at least only indirectly. This passage is more referred to in support of the divinity of Jesus.
Yes, of course, once someone already "knows what they're looking for", they can twist Scriptures to make it say it.
I've already made my thoughts clear...
Well, I agree in that I don't think that the term "Holy Spirit" means a third person of a Trinity. However, I do think that the term "Holy Spirit" can be a "personal" term when used as another way to refer to God who we believe is a personal Being. Further, I believe (in agreement with Catholic...
I'm not a Trinitarian (but for different reasons than JW theology). It's plain to see that there are Scriptures that support the Trinity doctrine. However, I think that's because the Scriptures may have been influenced by Roman leaders (father-son gods) or used as a parable to teach pagans...
Yes, my question was a bit rhetorical but still, if God teaches us all directly, why do we need Scriptures? I think some Scriptures even indicate that: "You study the Scriptures.....yet they speak about me", "Call no man your Rabbi", The word is written in our hearts... or the law will be...
Hi Katzpur,
Yes, I understand and I kind of expected a response like this. I believe that God could appear in a physical form if He chooses, but it would only be an appearance but in fact would be more real than physical is real in a sense. In fact in some ways, maybe the whole physical universe...
I believe that God allows us to lighten up and be warm with our neighbors even if they don't believe exactly like we do. Jews give gifts on Christmas, Christians can give gifts to Jews on Hanukah. Yeah, much of it in Christianity may be from pagan dates and maybe even some pagan influences...
Yes, of course, it was just an everyday conversation. :rolleyes:
And no, I'm not providing scriptures that support the Trinity. I'm simply showing that people see in Scripture whatever they want to see and they often just explain away whatever they want however it suits their beliefs. There...