A charge against the Trinity

[Christian2]

I'm discussing Christianity with someone who said:

"Three separate persons as One God is an anthropomorphic polytheistic concept. Jesus Christ is depicted as a distinct separate Deity. Actually very similar to Hindu beliefs that the different Gods are aspects of the one Brahman."

I don't have the background to reply.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Philip]

Christian2, you might look through the following to better explain the Trinity from a Biblical perspective:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Tritheism-Trinity.html

[Christian2]

Christian2, you might look through the following to better explain the Trinity from a Biblical perspective:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Tritheism-Trinity.html

Thanks.

It didn't help. He said he grew up Catholic. I gave up.

[Kurieuo]

Sounds like JW influence.

[RickD]

Christian2, you might look through the following to better explain the Trinity from a Biblical perspective:

https://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/Tritheism-Trinity.html

Thanks.

It didn't help. He said he grew up Catholic. I gave up.

Hopefully he learned enough as a Catholic, to understand the basics of the Trinity. As K said, he’s probably been influenced by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[Christian2]

Actually, this person is a Baha'i.

[Kurieuo]

I was thinking a few days ago, and see this again so...

Maybe it is best to get a person who disagrees with the Trinity to at least get them to understand the differences between God as a trinity versus God as a unity. Whether or not God as a trinity is to them still polytheism, well that's up to them if that's how they see it. Yet, strictly speaking, God as a Trinity is still mono (one) theism (God) given "God" is a nature like being "Human" is our nature. The difference is only that we believe God is one eternal nature that is multi-personal, rather than believing God's nature is 1:1 in person (like our human nature is 1:1 in person).

Logically speaking, since we Trinitarians believe God is one in "nature", such that we all say "there is one God", then we're monotheists. That's not an argument, but rather it is what it logically is -- a Trinitiarian conception with God is still under the umbrella of "monotheism". As to whether or not they believe God is 1:1 as a person -- one in nature as well as one person -- that's a different question. We're mono-theists (one-God believers), not mono-person-theists.

Those who believe God must be one in person are making a claim that the nature of any intelligent being must necessarily have a 1:1 consciousness. Yet, why must that be the case? Especially with God who isn't a creature like us, animals, etc. Until one extends their thoughts to reflect upon how a multi-personal being differs to a singular-personal being like us humans, then they will only ever see Trinity as polytheism, but that's simply due to a true ignorance.

[Nessa]

Especially liked

"...one in nature as well as one person -- that's a different question. We're mono-theists (one-God believers), not mono-person-theists.."

[Kurieuo]

Thanks Nessa, I like that you liked.

I feel some who believe The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are God, may shy away or feel awkward when charged with polytheism. Even I have at times, as there certainly is a "poly" aspect to the Trinity, but it is only as it applies to the persons, not God. There aren't three "Gods" that we believe in. We believe in one God, and one God only, so we really shouldn't be shy to adamantly claim we're monotheists.

People who claim we're not monotheists, it shows more a lack of understanding on their part of what the Trinity is and/or a narrow or biassed ontological understanding of 'person' as it relates to 'being'.

God is Greater

god-is-greater.jpg (36.64 KiB) Viewed 17131 times

[Nessa]

Especially liked

"...one in nature as well as one person -- that's a different question. We're mono-theists (one-God believers), not mono-person-theists.."

You liked that I liked your comment so I like that you liked me liking your comment