What you imply here is that if a Christ based faith in, say Saudi Arabia, does not reflect what is done in the U.S., it is somehow an abomination? Consider this. If the idea of the Trinity did not arrive in Christian thought until 350 A.D. and has over the centuries been mulled over, disputed, re-explained, and generally confused those it sought to enlighten, is it not possible that removing such a doctrine is actually closer to early Christian teaching? If so, how is that suddenly "not Christian"? Or consider the case of Mormons in America. Their doctrine of the Trinity is quite different than "main stream" Christianity and yet they are Christian. In short, how humans come to understand God does not define God. That we see Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are human constructs and not the God-being itself. So, shall the importance be in the words or in the heart touched by the Word?
You mentioned you were surprised at my responses. Honestly, so am I. I am passionate on the subject because I am certain that God had to "lower the bar" for me. I literally learned about God from people who "drank coffee, smoked cigarettes, and told dirty jokes". He spoke to me on my level, and it was at a level far below a theological discussion on Christian terminology. It is for that reason that I view such matters as trivial and obstructive. I may not be a good Christian, but I am one who has been saved by God and remembers fully the darkness of meaningless existence. If my God can spare that agony for others by speaking to them on their level and in their vernacular, then I am all for it.
This is becoming deep in theology and there is no problem with that sir.
I wish not to debate, but share.
Is that ok?
How often I have heard do not talk religion and politics at work or with others than immediate family.
Politics is very much discussed here. I do not often (only 90 days here, so no real track record) engage in politics.
I have studied / searched the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and Tanakh, then the original Greek New Testament
letters, Gospels, the Latin versions etc.
I am not an expert at all. But you are correct that the word Trinity can not be found in all as far as I can find.
Yet the recorded Gospel shares on the day of Yeshua's (Jesus I love to remind people that Jesus was 100
per cent Jewish and His name was Jewish) Emmersion / Mikvah / Baptism in the Jordan, Father God was there
with His presence and Eternal voice proclaiming This is my Son....
Also present was the Ruhach Ha Kodesh / Holy Spirit. All three in one place. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit of God.
I can not explain it.
When a US soldier who does not have a strong daily relationship with God, is perhaps hit with a bullet in battle, he or she might
resort to the most learned prayer from their past for help. Our Father who art in Heaven....
They might have heard this over and over in their childhood and this is all they can muster during shock and pain.
When an IDF soldier is hit that is also at a lost for prayer, will say Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad
(Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One). As this prayer is prayed during his or her childhood
in Jewish upbringing.
Gospel of Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and
perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel;
The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mark 12:30: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first
commandment.
Jesus even put this first. Yet above, I shared that all three were recorded to be present at His Mikvah / Baptism by my understanding.
So it is very hard to explain and understand for me. Yet I believe it. Can not explain it, but believe it. Father God of the Bible is One,
yet He has an eternal Son, and His Spirit.
Genesis 1:26 And Elohim [God] said, Let Us make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness…
Makes one wonder / ponder. At least me....
Then Jesus said in John 14: 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak
unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Then John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [SUP]
17[/SUP]Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him;
for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Ok enough sharing.
This is where in doctrine the early 350 AD church came up with the word Trinity to explain this, even though I can not find it in the Bible.
Did I go on too much? Sorry.
