Does this fit into your theological construct of God?
I would accept it as the construct of other believers, but for myself I always seem to wrangle over the details a bit. And this diagram is clearly of a Trinitarian view, though it does also point to the overlap between some Trinitarian and some Oneness positions.
I find the statements made by Jesus (especially in the Gospel of John) where He identifies Himself with "the Father" as being classic examples where the Bible itself "confounds the Persons..." For this reason, and many others (like the one Stephen cites above), I would quibble about the "Is Not" channels in the diagram.
That being said, there is a complexity in the Godhead that we Oneness adherents are not always comfortable discussing. For this reason I think the diagram is good because it challenges us to see beyond the easy and simplified formulas that we're sometimes accustomed to.
Does this fit into your theological construct of God?
Okinawa, Japan Flashback
"It's all in Him.
I't's all in Him.
The fullness of the Godhead is all in Him.
It's all in Him.
It's all in Him.
The Mighty God is Jesus and it's all in Him."
This diagram does not reflect the scriptural truth in one of the first UPCI songs I ever learned.
Is. 9:6
"Unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given. And His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Nope, the diagram does not match this scripture either.
__________________
"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
To all, trinitarians and Oneness, who think they have God all figured out, and have been able to fit the theology of God into their own box, you are sadly mistaken.
God is one. This is a truth that has been evident throughout all of creation. But, all of His attributes and all His ways, we cannot nor shall we know. And no way is man smart enough or big enough to comprehend the vast nature of God.
Regarding the diagram... is this your work? I mean, did you draw the diagram? I don't have a problem with it.... in fact, while it does seem to over-simplify the concept of God, it does explain the Godhead... as someone said... depending on how you look at it.
My "understanding" of the Godhead came to me while drawing circles on a piece of paper years ago. That helped me to come to an understanding of the mystery of the Godhead.
In reading thru this thread (which, shockingly and surprizingly, hasn't turned into an all out, free for all, debate... thankfully) the words "God is..." stuck in my head. The Bible teaches us that the very first thing we must do is believe in God. We must believe "God is..." The Bible also teaches the Spirit of truth (Holy Ghost) will lead us into all truth. So, my job is to believe God is. Then, I allow the Holy Ghost to fill in the blank. "God is _________________".
Back to the diagram- IMO, it serves to teach the Oneness view very well. And, it would be interesting to see how trinitarians react to it. I think we'd be surprized to find many of them would agree with it. Which isn't a bad thing. That would show that this great big gulf that we have created between the trinitarian view of the Godhead and the Oneness view isn't so great afterall. I've said it here before- I have never talked to a person about God who believes in three or more Gods.
I believe in God.
I believe in Jesus, the Son of God.
I believe in the Holy Ghost
I believe these three are one. I don't know how the three are one other than to say a man can be a father, a son, and a husband all at the same time. I think though, we spend too much time trying to "fill in the blank". The Holy Spirit was given to do that for us- and He does all things well!
__________________
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him...." -Psa. 37:7
Waiting for the Lord is easy... Waiting patiently? Not so much.
I agree on the big gulf not being so big. Just last nite, my pastor mentioned trinitarians believe in 3 gods . IMO, it was just to make sure the new convert listeners stay away from trinitarianism(while attempting to justify oneness), because they know they're can't be 3 gods. I disapprove of that tactic, since I don't believe that most trinitarians see them as 3 separate gods.
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
Perhaps the "is not" would better read "is not the same as".
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Perhaps the "is not" would better read "is not the same as".
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
Sooooo, can everyone sign the "Affirmation Statement" now??
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Sooooo, can everyone sign the "Affimation Statement" now??
Change the "IS NOT"'s to read ("not the same descriptive title as"), and I'll sign twice.
__________________ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.- Gal. 6:14
Re: My Signature Diagram
Hybrid Mode
