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So, one is "extremely secretive" among the Jews but, 7 decades later, open and polemical among the Gentiles. That seems rather convenient.No*s said:First, the Early Church was extremely secretive about its internal teachings.
You mean: why did the early henotheists conflate their Sumerian/Canaanite Deity with that of the co-resident Shasu? Because myth/folklore grows by accretion.No*s said:I may ask the same question about the Old Testament, also. After all, why does God take the pagan name El? Why does the Bible contain stories copied from Babylonian paganism?
..... or explained by numerous factors such as political climate, size of the community, etc.Deut. 32.8 said:So, one is "extremely secretive" among the Jews but, 7 decades later, open and polemical among the Gentiles. That seems rather convenient.
I made no original statements. I quoted Scripture. You have been making statements based from what I see on the false doctines of men, who clearly are trying to interpret scripture for you and provide their understanding to you.iris89 said:Hi LittleNipper
FIRST, Your statement on,Clearly shows Jesus (Yeshua) differentiating himself from his Father, Almighty God (YHWH) and in no way claiming to be his father, to learn more, go to my exhaustive article on the subject,Discourse on John 8:58:
http://p078.ezboard.com/fyahwehstruthinchristfrm2.showMessage?topicID=83.topic
SECOND, your comment,Is also covered in my same article at the link in item FIRST, go there and learn the facts:THIRD, your comment,Now here is my answer on this scripture you fail to understand:John 10:30 I and my Father are one. (New American Standard Bible; NASB)
This is an interesting scripture, and taken alone out of context could lead the unsteadfast to the false conclusion that they were one in body, but taken in contest, this would be seen as impossible. In John 10:29, Jesus (Yeshua) clearly showed they were two separate individuals, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (NASB). Clearly here was a giver, the Father (YHWH) whom Jesus (Yeshua) publically declared was "greater than all" which statement would include being greater than himself, Jesus (Yeshua). Also, there was a receiver, a distinct individual, "has given them to Me."
This 'one' is one in purpose and this is made clear at John 17:9-11, " "I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." (NASB). Which not only shows Jesus (Yeshua) and his Father (YHWH) as being one in prupose, but also, all the true Christian followers of his Son (Yeshua).
As previously mentioned, many try and misuse this scripture, John 10:30, to support either a Duality or a Trinity; however, it supports neither and especially not a Trinity as only two individual beings are mentioned in it.
With respect a Trinity, Jay P. Green's, "Classic Bible Dictionary," says, "This is not itself a Biblical term, but was a term coined by Tertullian to refer to the whole concept under one word." [Classic Bible Dictionary," by Jay P. Green, page 483]. Another renown work says, "Respecting the manner in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit make one G-d, the Scripture teaches nothing, since the subject is of such a nature as not to admit of its being explained to us." [Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature," under Trinity, on page 553]. In other words, this false God (YHWH) dishonoring false doctrine of the Trinity is a revealed doctrine of men that is foreign to the scripture (Bible). It is to be outright rejected by all who are true followers of Jesus (Yeshua). Your Friend in Christ Iris89
Deut. 32.8 said:So, one is "extremely secretive" among the Jews but, 7 decades later, open and polemical among the Gentiles. That seems rather convenient.
I'd be more than willing to entertain such explations. So, for example, the political climate was much worse after the destructon of the temple. Why might that argue for less secrecy?SOGFPP said:..... or explained by numerous factors such as political climate, size of the community, etc.
Deut. 32.8 said:I'd be more than willing to entertain such explations. So, for example, the political climate was much worse after the destructon of the temple. Why might that argue for less secrecy?
So Jesus, able to draw upwards of "about five thousand men, beside women and children", didn't talk about the trinity because he lacked confidence and wasn't sure of victory? Wouldn't it be just as reasonable, if not more so, to view the trinity as an Hellenistic accretion?No*s said:Very simply. First, there were more Christians, and the successful conversions couldn't help but bolser confidence. So, they see themselves as winning, and going to win. Even if they suffer, they're going to win. That's the basic mentality.
WHAT? Jesus didn't talk about the Trinity? .... you assume this because he never used the word Trinity?Deut. 32.8 said:So Jesus, able to draw upwards of "about five thousand men, beside women and children", didn't talk about the trinity because he lacked confidence and wasn't sure of victory? Wouldn't it be just as reasonable, if not more so, to view the trinity as an Hellenistic accretion?
Deut. 32.8 said:So Jesus, able to draw upwards of "about five thousand men, beside women and children", didn't talk about the trinity because he lacked confidence and wasn't sure of victory? Wouldn't it be just as reasonable, if not more so, to view the trinity as an Hellenistic accretion?
But this is simple story-telling. The singular difference between 30-85 and 107-177 is the isolatioin and defeat of the Jerusalem sect, the victory of the pervasively Gentile mission(s), and the corresponding victory of the replacement theology and its campaign against 'Judaization'. Whatever roots might have existed in Eretz Israel, they had long since whithered and died, leaving the Ebionites and others bitter and able to do little other than complain about Paul's apostasy.No*s said:No, actually, I don't think it would be more reasonable.
We know that in the second century (about 107, but scholars are now moving the date to 117 in place of the traditional dating), Ignatius of Antioch could feel confident writing letters peppered with thought that required the Deity of Christ from Antioch all the way over to Rome. So, somehow the accretion has taken full hold prior to that date.
There is no evidence of this.No*s said:What we have as a result may be summed up thusly:
1. The doctrine of the Deity of Christ is ubiquitous at the very beginning of the second century.
2. The doctrine is implicitly assumed in the Synoptics for some of Christ's teachings and for the liturgical references.
3. It is assumed implicitly in our earliest texts.
4. If the Trinity Doctrine was a solidly based truth, why didn't Jesus and his di sciples contradict the Shema of the Old Testament? "Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." (Deut 6:4) Jesus even quoted this scripture at Mark 12:29.
The Trinity didn't exist at the time. Chrsitians firmly believe in One God, so we don't feel it contradicts the Shema.
Quote: (Originally Posted by iris89)
5. Why would God tell his people to have nothing to do with the Pagan nations, if those Pagan nations had the right concept and beliefs about God? (a Trinity concept of God, as part of their worship, can be traced to virtually all Pagan nations of ancient times):
Because they aren't the same thing. When you look at Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, they are three separate gods who form a kind of triumverant. That is not how Christians look at God. So, this is a bit off to say the least.
Quote: (Originally Posted by iris89)
3. Since the Trinity was so contrary to the Jewish belief in God, why didn't Jesus and his apostles expend considerable time and effort in teaching and stressing the Trinity so as to convince the Jews of the truth of it, as they did other Christian teachings?
The reason we don't see much of anything in the first century is due in part to two things. First, the Early Church was extremely secretive about its internal teachings. To this day, the Liturgy still has "The doors! The doors!" for the barring of the doors and "Let all the catechumans depart" for when the non-baptized students leave, neither of which is still done. The deity of Christ and the Spirit were the "Mystery of Godliness" and weren't made too terribly public. Thus, you can't expect much on it. Like the Temple, and like the Mystery Religions, there are parts of it that were accessible only to the members of the community.
Quote: (Originally Posted by iris89)
1. If belief in the Trinity is so important to our salvation why isn't the word "Trinity", or the concept of three being one found in the Bible?
Because the word was invented in the third century to describe a doctrine already in place.
I am just inspecting your fruit. But please, call me a liar all you want. That's what the Pharisees did:Stop telling untruths and making false accusations.
Belief or non-belief in the doctrine of "trinity" is not essential for salvation. That's my point!If belief in the Trinity is so important to our salvation why isn't the word "Trinity", or the concept of three being one found in the Bible?
Who cares? If they specifically didn't prohibit the belief then it's JUST your opinion. No more and no less. Passing it off as anathema is anathema in and of itself.2. Why didn't the apostles and early Christians believe in the Trinity? (If you say they did, prove it from the Scriptures or quotations from one of the ante-Nicene Fathers before 200 AD.)
You're repeating yourself. You're repeating yourself. You're repeating yourself.3. Since the Trinity was so contrary to the Jewish belief in God, why didn't Jesus and his apostles expend considerable time and effort in teaching and stressing the Trinity so as to convince the Jews of the truth of it, as they did other Christian teachings?
Why would Jesus contradict the Old Testament? The mystery of the Trinity is that they are still "ONE".4. If the Trinity Doctrine was a solidly based truth, why didn't Jesus and his di sciples contradict the Shema of the Old Testament? "Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah." (Deut 6:4) Jesus even quoted this scripture at Mark 12:29.
What about the Great Commision do you not understand? Yes, even the pagans can convert!5. Why would God tell his people to have nothing to do with the Pagan nations, if those Pagan nations had the right concept and beliefs about God? (a Trinity concept of God, as part of their worship, can be traced to virtually all Pagan nations of ancient times):
As long as it's a 10 1/2 EE we'll have no problems.Lets see how well you do with the proverbial shoe being on the other foot so to speak.
NetDoc said:He want's me to excel in LOVING my neighbor rather than in becoming a New Testament Pharisee. Go God! Go Jesus!
Yeah, but I bet you don't have a PhD. Theologian husband... so you CAN'T be right.:tsk:NetDoc said:
And you assume otherwise because..?SOGFPP said:.... you assume this because he never used the word Trinity?
No*s is doing a much better job explaining this subject, so I'll go and hide...Deut. 32.8 said:And you assume otherwise because..?