The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, although the concept of one triune God is found throughout the Scriptures. Christians have believed in the Trinity since apostolic times, although common heresies in the fourth century that in some way denied either Christ’s divinity or humanity required Christian leaders to specifically define the nature of the Trinity. The word has its origins in the Latin word Trinitas, which means “three in one”.
How God can be one, yet make Himself known in three distinctive, co-eternal, personal ways is one of the mysteries of the faith. In Genesis 1:26, God says “Let us make man in our image and likeness”. We know there is only one God, yet this couldn’t have been addressed to the angels, as they are not made in God’s image. In Matthew 28:19, the apostles are directed to baptize in the “name [not names] of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”. God’s distinctive ways of ways of revealing Himself are emphasized, while it’s obvious that God is one. Finally, in 1 John 5:7–8: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”
So, while the word Trinity isn’t in the Bible, The Trinity is a Scriptural concept that helps us understand the nature of the one God.
A lot of points to address here, but the most obvious would be regarding 1 John 5: 7-8, which is a well-known frogery. In fact, the story goes that Erasmeaus was so harrassed into putting it into the latin vulgate, that he accepted, only on the condition that a greek manuscript be brought forth. So a greek manuscript was made specifically for this purpose.
Perhaps we can discuss more about the trinity on my blog and please check out my other blog for other interesting stuff:
http://trinitydebate.wordpress.com/
http://islamicarchives.wordpress.com/category/comp-religon/
By: ibnsaad on February 16, 2009
at 10:51 pm
Hi again,
Why do you believe this particular passage is a forgery?
By: celticanglican on February 25, 2009
at 4:40 am
This is well known, it does not exist in any of the early Greek manuscripts. Next time if I take too long to respond, just msg me on my blog.
By: ibnsaad on March 13, 2009
at 7:03 pm
I am still waiting for your reply, friend.
By: ibnsaad on April 7, 2009
at 9:33 am
What do you think of the analysis given at this link: http://biblicalthought.com/blog/a-critical-examination-and-exegesis-of-1-john-57/
?
Even if this verse wasn’t in the original manuscripts, there are several other sections of Scripture that do address this concept.
By: celticanglican on April 8, 2009
at 3:11 am
In response to the link you posted it helps my side
The last paragraph states:
“To conclude this paper we must state that the external evidence and the internal evidence do not support the argument that the Johannine Comma was originally written by John the apostle.”
In regards to talking about other verses, I don’t mind discussing them, but will you admit here and now that 1 John 5:7 is not in the Bible?
By: ibnsaad on April 11, 2009
at 10:33 am
Hi
I finally found the other link I was looking for, that contains answers in defense of the Comma. (I generally favor using a variety of sources, both pro and con). I’ll post it rather than try to summarize the whole thing here, but it has some background information that could be helpful. Setting the Record Straight on I John 5:7-8
While the Johannine Comma obviously isn’t in all manuscripts, I don’t want to jump ahead of things and say that it’s absolutely not part of the Bible. After all, that would be a difficult assessment to make without the original manuscripts. There is enough variation in the manuscripts to show the need to prove this doctrine using the witness of the Scriptures as a whole.
By: celticanglican on April 26, 2009
at 7:30 pm
For the clarification of non-christian readers on your blog, Johannine Comma= 1 John 5:7
By: ibnsaad on April 12, 2009
at 5:26 pm
Greetings Celtic Christian and Ibn Saad,
I came across this discussion while looking for
other Anglican stuff….
But if I may….
Regarding 1 John 5:7—
the UBS text (a composite of all Greek manuscripts) chooses this translation:
“Because there are three giving testimony,
the spirit and the water and the blood, and
the three are for the one.”
Is this is a text about the trinity?
Harold Greenlee in his book
‘The Text of the New Testament’ suggests that
an overzealous scribe enhanced this text to
refer to the trinity.
But, his zealousness was based on other texts
which do affirm the Trinity.
For example, among many other verses:
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.” 2 Cor 13:14
Ibn Saad,
The incarnation of God, as a man in Jesus, opens up an intimacy with God, that is not taught in Islam….
God, through Jesus, lives with us, suffers with us,
and ultimately redeems us….
and through Jesus we can fall in love with God and
know Him as the closest of friends…..
Through God’s grace,
Jack
By: jack on May 14, 2009
at 12:00 am
Hi Jack,
Welcome to the discussion!
By: celticanglican on May 14, 2009
at 4:55 pm
Hi Celtic Christian,
I, too, am a Celt (Scottish) by heritage and somehow have ended up in the Anglican tradition….
If God can bring Scots and Sasenachs together,
He can do anything……
I enjoy your blog….
In Christ,
Jack
By: jack on May 14, 2009
at 6:00 pm
Sorry, I meant to address you as
Celtic Anglican.
Jack
By: jack on May 15, 2009
at 11:44 pm
No problem
I’m glad you enjoy it and hope you’ll continue to visit.
By: celticanglican on May 18, 2009
at 10:29 pm
Sorry guys for the long wait, I didnt visit this blog in a long time. I have addressed some points on my blog:
http://islamicarchives.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/refuting-2-cor-1314/
By: ibnsaad on May 22, 2009
at 4:42 am
The post before my post seems to be spam, it isnt me.
By: ibnsaad on May 22, 2009
at 4:43 am
Thanks for alerting me to that, ibnsaad. Said post has been taken care of. I’ll take a look at the link in your blog, and post some thoughts.
By: celticanglican on May 23, 2009
at 3:20 am
Just a friendly reminder about posting a response on my blog.
Thanks
By: ibnsaad on May 27, 2009
at 11:21 pm
celticanglican ru jon or ru a diff person?
By: ibnsaad on June 7, 2009
at 5:14 am
Nope, not Jon, I’m a woman in fact
By: celticanglican on June 8, 2009
at 2:03 am
lol, u learn something new every day :p Celtic pls leave a comment on my blog if u can , I would like to have a discussion with u too.
By: ibnsaad on June 8, 2009
at 6:22 pm