Is God a Trinity?

by United Church of God

The publisher offers this ebook for free at ucg.org/booklet/god-trinityYou might be surprised to find that God is not a trinity.The Trinity is one of mainstream Christianity’s most widely accepted and revered doctrines held by millions of Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox believers. The belief that God is three persons—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit—coexisting in one being is how the trinity doctrine is often defined. But the word trinity appears nowhere within the pages of the Bible. You can not cling to long-held religious traditions if they contradict the Scriptures. Your beliefs must rest solidly on the teachings of the Holy Bible. This Bible Study aid, "Is God a Trinity?", goes into great detail explaning the non-biblical origins of the trinity and how this false gospel replaced the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Discover how the Bible communicates a true picture of God and learn about the awesome plan He has promised for you and all mankind.Chapters in this Is the Trinity Biblical?-- The Surprising Origins of the Trinity Doctrine-- Greek Philosophy's Influence on the Trinity Doctrine-- How Ancient Trinitarian Gods Influenced Adoption of the Trinity-- A Spurious Reference to the Trinity Added in 1 John 5:7-8 -- How Is God Revealed in the Bible?-- Jesus Was Sent by the Father-- Jesus "The Rock" of the Old Testament-- The Apostles Understood Jesus to Be the Creator-- Did Jesus Christ Claim to Be God?-- "In the Beginning Was the Word"-- The Claim of Jesus' Disciples-- "There Is One God, the Father...and One Lord, Jesus Christ"-- God's Plan to "Bring Many Sons to Glory"-- Jesus Christ's Submission to the Father-- How Is God One?-- "The Lord Our God, the Lord Is One"-- Seven Scriptures That Debunk the Trinity as a Single Being-- The Plurality of God-- Is the Holy Spirit a Person?-- Does Matthew 28:19 Prove the Trinity?-- Why the Holy Spirit Is Sometimes Incorrectly Referred to as "He" and "Him"-- What About Passages That "Prove" the Trinity?-- The Holy God's Transforming Power-- How to Stir Up God's Spirit-- God's Nature and Character-- God's Purpose for You-- The Likeness of God-- Do Some Verses Deny a Divine Family?-- The God FamilyInside this Bible Study Aid "Most people assume that everything that bears the label “Christian” must have originated with Jesus Christ and His early followers. But this is definitely not the case.""Many historians and religious scholars, some quoted in this publication, attest to the influence of Greek or Platonic philosophy in the development and acceptance of the Trinity doctrine in the fourth century."God the Father is the One who calls us to baptism and a new way of life (John 6:44, 65), and it is His goodness that leads us to repentance and baptism (Romans 2:4)."As even the New Catholic Encyclopedia, quoted from earlier, “The majority of New Testament texts reveal God’s spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God..."

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Views on the Godhead

I am a Trinitarian but can read works aimed at refuting Trinitarianism while they present their views. I was aware of the Unitarian views but this was my first encounter with the Binitarian view. I found it interesting.

Some have stated that this book is aimed at United Church of God and getting its views out. This is somewhat true here but it wasn't distracting. The book outlines the UCoG view of the Godhead in that they teach that God is a divine family with the Father and the Son. In this way, they are monotheistic while denying the Unitarian view. However, they disagree with Trinitarian theology over the deity of the Holy Spirit teaching instead that the Spirit is the power of God and not God the Spirit. They teach that God is one and that the Father and Son make up this divine family in unity.

Overall the book was easy to read and not technical. While I still disagree, I do believe that the book offers challenges to the doctrine of the Trinity.

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review will follow.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with much. But one point I don't is "the word" being the "pre-existent Christ". The same logic about the Holy Spirit needs to be applied to "the word". Just as the Spirit is the power/essence/breath of the Almighty, so is the word that proceeds from Him.

[William R Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

united church of god

god is absolutely a trinity. the three persons are unique. the three persons need each other to fulfill the promise.