This isn't a matter of semantics. God revealing himself as three separate persons or as one in Jesus Christ is pretty clear, IMO. I don't see how that's something that can be open to interpretation.
The Jimmy Swaggart "staring eye-to-eye" thing and some of the others aside; that's just plain goofy; Oneness theology has pretty much always recognized that God inhabits multiple roles and does so simultaneously.
This is how we have a voice from heaven while Jesus Christ is standing in the water at John's baptism. The fumbling human experience and interpretation might be that there were "two people talking as God(s)." It takes further experiences with the revelation of God to sort things out.
In time, I think it can be a matter of semantics that ends up dividing people of faith.
Oneness theology has pretty much always recognized that God inhabits multiple roles and does so simultaneously.
This is how we have a voice from heaven while Jesus Christ is standing in the water at John's baptism. The fumbling human experience and interpretation might be that there were "two people talking as God(s)." It takes further experiences with the revelation of God to sort things out.
In time, I think it can be a matter of semantics that ends up dividing people of faith.
But, Pel, don't you think that truth is truth? Can a "matter of semantics" lead one group into serving God in error? I'm not saying the error of Trinitarianism is one that will condemn someone, but don't you think that truth is somehow important? John 4:22-24
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
But, Pel, don't you think that truth is truth? Can a "matter of semantics" lead one group into serving God in error? I'm not saying the error of Trinitarianism is one that will condemn someone, but don't you think that truth is somehow important? John 4:22-24
No, not at all. In fact from my posts here so far one should be able to draw the conclusion that I don't think truth is important at all. Just make it up as you go and tell everyone that this is something "God revealed" to you.
But, Pel, don't you think that truth is truth? Can a "matter of semantics" lead one group into serving God in error? I'm not saying the error of Trinitarianism is one that will condemn someone, but don't you think that truth is somehow important? John 4:22-24
I think truth is very important. But it's equally important to understand that we don't yet know the truth by any stretch of the imagination. In light of that, we do the best we can.
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Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. — André Gide
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds... - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This topic was on my mind recently too. Not just this topic (Trinity vs. Oneness), but other topics as well.
There are groups I know are theologically polar opposite (and as far as I'm concerned off), but they claim to have heard from the Lord. When two men, both saying they heard from the word on an issue, how do we reconcile?
I get suspect when people say God has spoken to support their dogma (as important it may be to hash out) instead of His plan or direction
This topic was on my mind recently too. Not just this topic (Trinity vs. Oneness), but other topics as well.
There are groups I know are theologically polar opposite (and as far as I'm concerned off), but they claim to have heard from the Lord. When two men, both saying they heard from the word on an issue, how do we reconcile?
I get suspect when people say God has spoken to support their dogma (as important it may be to hash out) instead of His plan or direction
I knew a guy once who told his flock that God had shown him vision of a new building in a particular part of town. People sold their homes, uprooted their families and moved across town to be near the building site. After several set backs he later announced, "God never did tell us to build here..."
Folks were disappointed, but no one seemed to even see the contradictions. You'd have to have a "bad attitude" to even ask about the two contradictory "prophecies." Yet, people's lives were affected for years by what this guy had said.
I've known two trinitarians who have told me that they can tell if the Father is speaking to them, or if the Son is speaking to them, or if the Holy Ghost is speaking to them. I have respected their opinion and did not question or probe any further.
I know of another person who was a trinitarian minister and after some of the leaders in that organization had been off to a regional convention, the leaders came back and told their ministers, "The reason you are not getting your prayers answered is because you are praying too much to Jesus and not enough to the Father or to the Holy Ghost."
I may not agree with some of these "revelations" and they may seem contradictory to me but I would not say they are "not of God."
I think we try to "fine tune" God and fit Him into our little theological package.
Let's just accept that He is three and He is one and not try to figure out "three what's" or "three who's"
because saying he is three and he is one can mean anything. Unitarians can believe that. The other things are flat out heresy. Either God/Father can be seen or not.
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Tritheism is heresy and I will not agree to hold hands with people who believe that. Well I saw "________" as mentioned above is heretical. Teh well you are not praying to X and not enough of Z and should more to Y is HERESY! No, I won't hold them with the same esteem as I do others.
because saying he is three and he is one can mean anything. Unitarians can believe that. The other things are flat out heresy. Either God/Father can be seen or not.
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Tritheism is heresy and I will not agree to hold hands with people who believe that. Well I saw "________" as mentioned above is heretical. Teh well you are not praying to X and not enough of Z and should more to Y is HERESY! No, I won't hold them with the same esteem as I do others.
Jesus taught his followers to pray to the Father. I'm not sure if there are examples of praying to the Son or to the Spirit, but why would it be heresy to do so? Or to think that praying to one or the other would be better?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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