Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Her conclusion that that we should worship "THEM" wasn't even really that disturbing-- only a little shocking.

I know what the Bible declares and I think I might try to correct this kind soul sometime soon.

Does anyone have any advice as to HOW I should correct this person?

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Is there a situation in you can think of where you would describe GOD as, "Them"?

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

When I first came into Oneness I was a bit naive about dealing with Trins. I had just been one myself! All my friends, dynamic believers in Jesus were Trins. I thought if I would be real gentle about it and especially not speak against what they considered holy I could win them by love and a concise presentation of scripture.

Well praise be to YHWH I was able to win a few over the years. But as my understanding of the Oneness truth has increased I understand "Trinity" far better. It is indeed a diabolical doctrine. It robs YHWH of the glory of being the only true God. Taken to its fullness it is merely Tritheism.

There is really no such thing as "Tritheists". There are just consistent Trinitarians. I have debated with and tried to teach a great number of them over the years. It seems there is no particular way to win them. You just present what you have and pray and trust YHWH will open their eyes.

She should be correcting you

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

I dont believe there is such a place. They love "Let us make man in our image". That is their strongest hope. After that they have NOTHING in the Old Testament.

But when you start with a wrong foundation such as Trinity defined as:

There is one God who exists as three co equal co eternal persons each one being God distinct from the other.

With this as your starting point you tend to not be able to rightly divide the word because you think you already know the truth.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Show where the bible calls God a HIM and alone

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

They will say the three persons are HIM.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Then say "Make up your mind, Them or Him?"

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

:highfive

I have been an apologist for trinitarians, but I have heard some use this language. It is especially so in Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology. Its a major stumbling block to me, and a big reason I can't embrace trinitarian theology and remain oneness even though I've got issues with OP soteriology.

Just one example from Grudem:

......
Nevermind. Just flipping through the chapter on the trinity there are so many quotes I will share, I will just start a thread on it sometime. Probably be a week or two though. I've been covered up at work. This is my first AFF post in several days.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

It get's worse. Try Dakes stuff. He is classified by other Trinitarians as Tritheistic

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Why do you say this?

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Try sharing quotes from Trinitarians who sound Oneness.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

I also came across an actual tritheist who patently stated there were three gods; Father, Son and Holy Ghost. At least he admitted it.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

I am more inclined to try to use the scriptures with this person as they are of the type to throw the, "I don't care what some man says" logic at me.

I've known this person at my church for a while now-- just never heard this person speak like this before.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Bro Blume,
Most Trinitarians don't believe in three gods.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

That is a no-brainer. But I met one who flatly stated "The Father, Son and Holy Ghost are three gods."

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Yeah, the one I spoke with referred to The Three in such a way that she might as well believe in three gods.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Leave trinitarians alone. You are not obligated to correct anyone. If God is so concerned about their soul He will personally make an effort to enlighten that person of their error. In the mean time, SHADDAP!

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

BTW the reason for my comments Jason is that the foundational argument of Trinitarianism relies on PRONOUNS. If they were consistent then they HAVE To confess God is One Person based o their own rule

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

HOW does God "Personally" go about doing that?

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

The church is obligated to judge those in the church. 1 Cor 5:12.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

We are to earnestly contend for the faith that was delivered unto the saints.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

:laffatu

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

I am Trinitarian but certainly see the concerns expressed by Oneness believers in regards to the Doctrine of the Trinity. I have not found a theologian yet who has expressed the concept of the Godhead perfectly, nor do I believe that I could do any better.

Suggesting lengthy books, or participating in long, drawn out bible studies or debates may be beneficial but it could also create more tension and not be very well received by the confused believer.

So, I would like to suggest a booklet that is rather quick to read & to the point. It is one of many booklets written by the theologian R.C. Sproul and it is called "What is the Trinity?. It is 74 pages long, and is also available in a Kindle edition. I'm looking on Amazon right now and its priced at 3.60 plus S&H. I would at least give it a read, & see what you think. It seems to be a very good, easy to comprehend explanation & I believe that it did a fair enough job expressing the concept. Hope this helps!

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Why would he want to give her a Trinitarian teaching book when he is trying to correct her from the trinity doctrine?

A good place for him to start would be the fact there is only ONE YAH. If you add to that you have rejected one of the major themes of scripture.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Thanks for the great question! Actually, I know why I would want to but I'm not sure why he would or wouldn't want to. He may think it is a pathetic suggestion and that is okay too. The Op asked for advice on how he should correct this implied tritheistic view of the Godhead, and he is right, it needs addressed.

I was sure to preface my response with the statement that I am Trinitarian, so that I would be better understood. I also didn't direct him to give the booklet to her, I just suggested that he give it a quick read and go from there. He may find some information that he would be able to point out to the confused believer and discuss, or he may even decide that he is comfortable with offering it as a resource as well.

I was only suggesting a possible resource that I thought could be useful in correcting her understanding. I am utmost concerned about seeing this misunderstanding among laity and clergy alike, and I would agree that most Trinitarians place not enough emphasis on the one, and too much emphasis on the three. I apologize if I was overstepping my boundaries, as I recognize that this is a forum intended for Oneness believers. Once again, Thanks for asking! God bless

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

Ok no need to apologize. Its a free forum I was just exercising my freedom to say he would be better off to just address her apart from a Trinitarian writers thoughts.

Re: Met a Three-God Trinitarian Last Night
 

That was a funny. :heeheehee Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yeah from a Oneness perspective I know what your saying. I figured I might get a "huh?" out of my original response. I for one appreciated the booklet because imo it did a fine job teaching a Monotheistic Godhead from a Trinitarian perspective. It was a simple, concise, and coherent explanation of the Trinity that presented the Godhead, three in one, in excellent fashion. I feel as though much of the material in this little booklet has not been taught properly in Trinitarian churches. It is foundational, and needs to be correctly represented.