Handling Antagonists

How can you tell if someone is interested in discussing a difference of opinion or just wants to dump his or her views on you? How can you tell if a person is truly interested in learning or is entering the discussion as a teacher, a know-it-all? More than that, how does one deal with such a person?

I received two responses from the same individual to a blog article I had written some time back on the basis of the Trinitarian belief. The first of these started with, “Sorry, but your Trinitarian belief is incorrect.” Not much to discuss, is there? Judgment has been passed. I (or at least my understanding of the subject) has been tried, condemned, and declared anathema. What do I say, “Is too”? Mr. Obdurate isn’t going to listen. His mind is made up. I’m wrong and that’s all there is to it.

Can this person enter into a civil and gentlemanly discussion at this stage of the game? I do not think so. He has thrown down a gauntlet and is daring me to pick it up. He is picking a fight rather than looking for light and for a reasonable answer. It is his prerogative to not believe what I have written. A better course of action would have been to ask me to provide additional support for my belief in the Trinity. Then we could enter into a discussion of the pros and cons of our respective positions. But he did not do that. He just spoke ex cathedra and declared me to be in error.

What is my response to be? I guess I could answer in kind, but that would shed no light and only generate ill feelings. I could respond to his reasoning with logical counterpoints but that would probably be met with arms akimbo and an equally closed mind. And I could ignore him. I could do a combination of these responses but that would be counterproductive.

The one thing I will not do is post his thoughts on this blog. Why not? Many blogs will allow just about anyone to say anything, pro or con. This particular blog does not fall under that category. I am not afraid of opposing viewpoints and have allowed some readers to post views differing from what I believe. The purpose of this blog is not to allow just anyone to vent or push his or her own understanding of the Word of God, but to (as much as is humanly possible) present a clear and orthodox understanding of Scripture and Christian doctrine. This man’s views are unorthodox and from an historic Christian perspective, heretical.

What I will do is to present portions of his response and show the weakness(es) in his thinking. That way, those interested in having their convictions regarding the doctrine of the Trinity made more concrete will also have more knowledge to answer those whom you may encounter that think like this man or are leaning toward his views. My antagonist is welcome to read my posts and learn why the Church has insisted that orthodoxy include belief in the Trinity. He is also free to continue to disagree. He is free to discuss, to offer remonstrances, or to ignore me. He is not free, in this forum, to push his present views.

The Basis of the Trinitarian Belief

In my blog post “One God — or many?” I said, “The Bible teaches that God is one,” and, “. . .this one God exists in a plurality of persons.” Many reject the idea of God as a Trinity because they cannot comprehend it or because they misunderstand it. The belief that the one God consists of three persons is difficult to understand, I admit.

There are those that would argue that the Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible. They are correct. However, the truth of the Trinity is taught in the word of God. The Bible does not teach systematically. One must often deduce truth by compilation: that is, we find bits and pieces here and there which, when put together, bring us to a certain conclusion.

Some argue against the Trinitarian position by claiming that the early church never taught it. That is also correct. However, The early church never taught contrary to the Trinitarian position, either. Specifically, the Church has never taught that Jesus was a god separate from the one, true God. Nor has the church ever accepted such a teaching that Jesus Christ was a created being. The Trinitarian formula was developed to counter the heresy espoused by Arius (d. A.D. 336) that Jesus was a created being and not truly divine. Arius and his beliefs were subsequently tried before the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which formulated from the Bible the first Trinitarian statement of faith.

Only God can have all the attributes of divinity. The Bible ascribes to Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit all the attributes of divinity. One example should be sufficient to support the Trinitarian position. Only God is eternal. The Bible ascribes eternality to God the Father (Deuteronomy 33:27). It ascribes eternality to Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6). It also ascribes eternality to the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14).

Only God can create something from nothing. The Genesis creation account says God created the heavens and the earth. When God was about to make man he said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." This is the first indication the Bible gives, and that in the first chapter, that God consists of a plurality of persons. The apostle John said (John 1:3) Jesus Christ created the world. “All things were made by him, and [to add emphasis] without him was not made anything that was made.” Jesus could not have created himself nor could he be previously created, seeing he created “all things.” Likewise, the Holy Spirit was involved in creating the earth. Many scripture passages refer to the Holy Spirit working in creation, Psalm 104:24-30 among them: “You send forth your Spirit, they [the works of God] are created: and you renew the face of the earth.”

A careful study of the Bible can lead only to a belief in the Tri-unity of God, and only a study of the Bible will lead there. May God bless you with the realization of this truth.

One God — or many?

The Bible, which is the word of God and the only authoritative and authentic revelation which we have of God, affirms from beginning to end that there is only one God. This one God eternally exists in three persons. This, too, is taught throughout the Bible.

In the creation narrative (Genesis, chapter 1) God is called Elohim. Elohim is the plural form of El, a generic name for God or a god. Elohim is always translated in the singular, as God, when referring to the Creator. This is necessitated by the singular verb.

Deuteronomy 6:4 is recited by every practicing Jew. It says, "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD. Literally translated it reads: "Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our Gods is one Jehovah. Notice that the name Jehovah and the verb "is" are both singular while "Gods" is plural.

Some use the creation account to promote a theory of many gods. Others, citing Deuteronomy 6:4, say there is but one God. Who is right?

One axiom is always true: Scripture does not contradict scripture. Truth is not self-contradictory. Therefore, when an apparent contradiction appears, one must dig a little deeper and compare scripture with scripture.

Many passages can be cited wherein God says he alone is God. In Isaiah 45:5 God says, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God besides me." There is but one God. Those that believe there are many gods, those that believe they are a god, and those that believe they may become a god are mistaken.

That this one God exists in a plurality of persons is also true. Both the creation story and Deuteronomy 6:4 indicate that. Biblical revelation is progressive and it is not until the New Testament era that this truth is made clearer. Limited space prevents a thorough presentation of the Trinitarian belief at this time.

The Bible teaches that God is one. The Bible teaches that God the Father is God. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God. The Bible teaches that God the Holy Spirit is God. This is a mystery and we cannot fully comprehend it. But lack of understanding does not negate truth. As God grants us opportunity, we shall develop these statements in the future.

When Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River (Matthew 3), the heavens opened and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove. He also heard a voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."  In this scene God the Father speaks to God the Son while God the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, lights upon Him. Here, the Trinity is present: the One God, the three Persons.

Praise to the Holy Trinity

Three years ago I started a series of sermons based on St. Peter's first epistle. I needed a hymn to go along with the first three verses of the first chapter which read:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:1-3)

I found nothing suitable in the hymn book, so wrote this. It may be sung to Duke Street (Jesus Shall Reign Where'r the Son)

Praise to the Holy Trinity
Praise to the Father, Spirit, Son
Praise for salvation, full and free.
Praise to you God for all you’ve done.

Praise to the Father, God above
Who chose me from eternity.
To be his child, his son of love,
That I might live from sin set free.

Praise the Spirit, who gave me birth.
Who sanctified me, cleansed my soul.
You made me see my soul’s great worth,
You washed my heart and made it whole.

Praise to the Son, who for me died
It was for me your blood was spilled,
With your love I am satisfied.
In your presence I am so thrilled.

Praise to you, Holy Trinity
Praise to you, Father, Spirit, Son
Praise to you through eternity
Praise to you,
O great Three in One

© 2004 Willard Paul, All Rights Reserved