The doctrine of the Trinity is perhaps one of the most confusing among Christians. Admittedly, it is easy to misunderstand and misrepresent. But forget defining the Trinity, how would one defend it to a skeptic? The evidence for the Trinity is found within the Scriptures, and the skeptic does not believe the Scriptures to be divinely inspired.
A Web of Beliefs
I’ve referred to a “web of beliefs” before, but I think it is important to continually highlight. Our belief system as Christians (the same is true for any belief system) is like a spider web. Some of our beliefs are attached to external evidence and reason, making them more convincing to all people because all people value evidence and reason. Other beliefs are based upon those beliefs, making them “internal arguments”. I’ll use the Trinity, which I believe to be an internal argument, to make my point.
I’m a Christian because I believe Jesus rose from the dead. If Jesus rose from the dead, His teachings are vindicated. He taught that (1) the Father is God, (2) He is God, and (3) the Holy Spirit is God. This is what we mean by Trinity – One God in three Persons. Therefore, I believe in the Trinity.
Do you see how this “web” begins with Jesus’ resurrection. This can be defended by “external” historical evidence. My belief in the Trinity follows upon that belief and is therefore “internal”. It can then be proven true or false depending on the truth of the premises, or the coherence of the logic. It looks like this:
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- Jesus’ resurrection vindicates His teachings.
- Jesus taught that God exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I’ve already linked to articles I’ve written before concerning the first two premises. I would now like to defend the proposition that Jesus taught a Triune God.
Jesus taught the Trinity
There are plenty of places in Scripture to turn to find evidence that Jesus taught a Trinity, but these three should suffice:
Jesus teaches that the Father is God:
This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent — Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
Jesus teaches that He is God:
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58
Jesus teaches that the Holy Spirit is God:
But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:29; Only God can be blasphemed against).
Conclusion
The Trinity is not an easy doctrine to deal with, but I believe it can be properly defended. If Jesus rose from the dead and taught that God is Triune, then I believe it is so.
Haden Clark 
I do not believe in the Trinity. Or the Bible. Or any of the many religions of the world. I do not believe in any deity. I believe that these beautiful writings may help us to concentrate our mind on ethics, morals and how we ought to lead our lives. Nothing else. Even then, there are some horrendous passages in all scripture which have to be simply ignored. The last two verses of Psalm 137 are a perfect example.
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It’s fine that you do not believe… but, we know your ultimate destination after your death and resurrection; it is a lake of fire called Gehenna — a place of perpetual torment. Even the unrighteous, aka the wicked, will be resurrected, judged by the Law, and found guilty! I wonder if you will have a smug, Stoic smirk on your face when you are being judged by the firstborn of Creation…
https://haderech813935171.wordpress.com/2018/05/16/revelation-study-an-overview-of-eschatological-events/
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Hilarious stuff. I’ll take my chances thank you. I really can not be bothered with Pascal’s Wager. In any event, even if I were a believer in such outrageous nonsence, I have done nothing in my life to deserve your lake of fire. I’m surprised you can sleep at night.
My strong suspicion is that you must be joking. I do not believe that in the 21st Century people still have such backward beliefs.
But there again, the is nowt so queer as folk. I wish you well L.Alan Schuetz but please tell me you are joking? Having a little laugh at my expense?
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Like I said, believe what you will, but there certainly are eternal consequences. Your “philosophy” will be your undoing. Just remember this conversation when you accept the mark of Leviathan…
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Gosh Allen, I am sure that you are sincere and mean well. But I am deeply sad, for you, that you are mired in such superstitious nonsense. My father was a believer in the same sort of awful hiwronHier Bosch imagery and it caused him great pain in his old age. My sincere and we’ll meant advice to you would be to retbink before it is too late. This sort sf terrible, evil fairy tale can never bring you any happinesses.
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Again, you don’t understand how the story ends… 🙂 I wake up happy every day because I do! The only superstitious nonsense is your hollow philosophy — that we are meaningless specks in a seemingly infinite universe. Talk about depressing… lol I’m glad you think you have everything figured out, but you will be humbled. Also, remember this conversation when Enoch and Elijah start prophesying in Jerusalem. That’s two things to remember: 1) the mark of Leviathan, and 2) Enoch and Elijah prophesying in Jerusalem.
Deine Weltanschauung ist verzerrt!
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Alan, you are most welcome to your views. I’m happy I do not share tjem and more than happy not to believe in your Hebrew god. There is no harm in your belief system whatsoever as long as you do not try to impoai it in others again their will. I can see no evidence on your website that you are a creationist seeking to ruin the educationak system of your country and I admire you for that. Let us accept simply that both us have beliefs and that our beliefs do not coincide.
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See? You do not understand the story due to your ignorance. The Israelites are the chosen people, but many of them are in the same boat as you due to their disbelief. That left room for believers like me. The term “Hebrew” is applied to a people of a specific bloodline. It is NOT applicable to El Elyon nor any of the other Elohim — except Christ. Yehoshu’a (Gr. ’Iesous/Aram. Yeshua/Eng. Joshua) was born into the tribe of Judah when He became incarnate; that is but one tribe of twelve.
Bottom line: I can’t save you, so I won’t even try. I didn’t die for your sins so that you may have the CHOICE to believe or not. But, whether you believe in Christ or not will impact your immortal life to come. And, yes, you will become immortal regardless of your worldview. The question is: Do you want to spend your immortal life in perpetual torment?
What we can agree on is that ALL modern religions — including rabbinic Judaism and any flavor of denominational Christianity — are based on false traditions (unfounded in the Scriptures), the precepts of men (manufactured theology), and doctrines of demons (assimilated paganism). I challenge you to actually STUDY the Bible! I’ve read the Qur’an from cover to cover from an apologetics standpoint. Start with Luke and Acts followed by Romans: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=NASB.
Deine Weltanschauung ist verzerrt! Holen Sie Ihren Kopf aus Ihrem Arsch!
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I do not have the time. I have summoned Shadowfax and am off to the second council of Elrond at Rivendell. I am being followed by a cave troll, Saruman the Whire and a clutch of orcs. I must away to save Middle Earth .
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Let me put it in your terms, then. If you continue on this path, Sauron and Orodruin are your destiny… except you won’t have the One Ring to destroy. It’s your choice!
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People must look forward to Halloween in your neighbourhood! Imagine having you landing on their doorstop .
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Gandalf, I’m not the one into cosplay… Enjoy Mount Doom!
It’s been fun, but I will not be responding further to your drivel.
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Nor I yours Alan. It has indeed been fun.
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One last comment as I just came across this beaut… Even your fantasy world has a creator god! lol http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Eru_Ilúvatar
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Excellent! Thank you. On a more serious note my favoured “belief” system if I had to choose one would be Buddhism. Although of course even they have their gods. In practical terms I guess I am a transhumanist. That is where I place my real hope for the future. If I were a panpsychist I suppose I would be tempted to say that in a sense we are all collectively “god” but I favour science and probable hypothesis over philosophy and mere speculation. As you have no doubt noticed from my website there are many aspects of conventional religion I find compelling and were we all to follow the beatitudes the world would be a better place.
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Pure psychobabble… AND at least you admit to being a tranny (transhumanist)! lol Even Tolkien was smart enough to know that something never comes from nothing. In an orderly world — even fantasy ones — intelligent design MUST come first! Regarding Buddhism, Siddhārtha Gautama believed in the trinity (trimurti) of Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. So, you’re a trinitarian and don’t even know it! lol So much for your “enlightenment” — that’s Buddhism 101… *bubble burst*
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I feel sorrow for you. Yours can not be a comfortable system of belief, or a pleasant one.
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It is you who has cobbled together a hodgepodge of belief systems that leaves you unhappy, dissatisfied, and unfulfilled… to the point of having to escape into a fantasy world. You believe whatever you want to believe. Your soul is LOST and yearning for the truth!
If you ever desire to take the red pill and return to reality, remember the TRUTH is found in Luke, Acts, and Romans/Hebrews (Gentiles read Romans/Jews read Hebrews). #QuestionEverything
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=NASB
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There is no one truth. All the world’s many religions have their good points and their bad points. What I have drawn from many years of thought and study is that decency, tolerance and kindness are all that really matter.
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Keep thinking that… be my guest! Honestly, you sound like Oprah. Regardless, what is to come was written in Heavenly tablets from the beginning of the first “yom.” Even two beasts created on the fifth and sixth yomim — Leviathan and Behemoth — play into End Time prophesy. I hope I’m around long enough to be beheaded for Christ; I would love nothing more than to serve as a priest during His millennial reign at the close of the Tribulation but just before Judgment Day and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb on the New Earth. So many Christians and Jews have no idea what’s going to occur because their churches and synagogues have lied to them!
https://haderech813935171.wordpress.com/2018/05/16/revelation-study-an-overview-of-eschatological-events/
#QuestionEverything
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I think you’ll be okay. If there is a God, I don’t think that he would disperse hundreds of different religions around the earth and wait for you to pick the wrong one (your choice likely based on where you were born or what your parents beleived). It seems unfair thatI your punishment (for not reading every religious manuscript on earth cover-to-cover and picking the right one) would be eternal torture. That’s just my two cents.
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Actually, look Alan, I have to be honest. My real name is Gandalf the Grey. I defeated the Balrog in the Mines of Moria and was instrumental in the downfall of the mighty Sauron. So look. honestly your lake of Gehenna is something I deal with on a regular basis.
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Hi Mr. Clark,
After all the intolerance here I hesitate to add anything. I was going to request that you take another look at defining what the Holy Spirit might be. It has always been a blank page to me. I am less inclined to believe in “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” but I wish you all the blessings that Faith can bring.
Thank you for your post.
Paul
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I am sorry to see that Mr Schuetz seems unable to see or appreciate my point of view. I am sorry that he can not see I am trying to meet him in the middle.That I fear is typical of an extremist.
There is good in every religion and there is bad. If you are determined to find Molloch under every bed, then I have no doubt you will be able to do so. Along with Lucifer, the behemoth, the leviathan and the rest of the motley crew.
I see great similarity between Mr Scultz’s attitudes and those of other extremists, in particular the Muslims.
Jesus was a live and let live sort of man according to his chroniclers. He turned the other cheek. That is the sort of man I can (and do! ) admire.
I am afraid the world becomes a very fearful and dangerous place when populated by the likes of L. Alan Schuetz.
I hope that in time he may come to see that moderation, understanding and modesty are more in line with modern Christian theology that the hellfire he seems to adamant in promoting. His is not a religion I recognize. Nor one I wish to encounter.
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Actually, I understand your point of view better than yourself! With Christ, there is no middle ground: either you believe in Him or you don’t — there is no other “way” other than THE WAY!
Do you really think that Christ led a “live and let live” life? Read Matthew 23; see https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+23&version=NASB. Learn about how He reacted to the money changers in the Temple! Learn about this in His own words:
Matthew 7: 6 “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (NASB)
You have NEVER studied the Bible, so how can you pretend to know ANYTHING about Him?
Again, take the red pill and return to reality! If you come to REALLY know Him, then you will have a greater appreciation of the world around you. Start with Luke and Acts. Then, either Romans if a Gentile or Hebrews if a Jew. He is THE WAY, and it is the only way…
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That’s actually easy to follow and will be helpful when I interact with customers who don’t accept the Trinity, which happens sometimes. Thank you!
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