Having been around this list for a few years now, it is always interesting
to observe some of the discussions that go on. They usually come down two
or a few individuals endlessly driving their point of view to each other,
without any possibility of the discussion changing each other. This might
seem to be a wasted exercise in futility for each, but then we must realize
that this discussion, or more properly debate, is being observed by
hundreds, if not thousands, of others, who may be heavily influenced by the
thoughts expressed. In this sense, then, the debate is far from futile,
offering the opportunity to present arguments to this great cloud of
judges, or jury, or witnesses.
Because of this, it then becomes very important, especially since this is
supposed to be a Christian list, that those representing the Christian
doctrines of the Bible against those who would attempt to change or confuse
the understanding of the folks that are just lurking here. It is my
attempt here to appeal to those of you who may be reluctant to post, or who
just like to read, for the clear understanding of the Bible that supports
the doctrine that **Jesus is God**. This is not about an intellectual
exercise in Greek debate, but in retaining the basic tenets of the
Christian faith. As such, I would like to make a few statements on the
purpose and importance of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
When it comes right down to it, one of the most essential doctrines of the
Christian faith is that Jesus is God. This has been clearly expressed
throughout the New Testament. As we review the writings of Paul, we see
these doctrines clearly expressed in several of his letters, particularly
Galatians, Philippians and Colossians. If we remember Paul's role in the
early history of the church, he was the primary missionary who took the
message of the gospel to Gentile lands. Most of his letters are written in
response to problems that developed at churches that he had founded. In
general, they do not so much present the complete teaching that he probably
took to those churches. Most were written in response to errors that were
reported in some way to him, to make sure that these churches retained
correct doctrine. The exceptions to this would be Romans, which probably
is a good representation of the basic message he preached in new churches,
and the pastoral epistles.
The key, though, for this discussion is the errors that he was writing to
correct. In each of these letters he felt it was necessary to present a
clear statement of the deity of Christ. This was in response to outsiders,
deceivers, that sought to corrupt the simple message of the gospel, and to
add requirements to it. One of the most common errors being taught is that
Jesus is not God, or not man, or is lacking in some critical element of
either. The correction clearly states that Jesus is fully man and fully
God, and that both natures are critical to His role in the redemption of
mankind. The important point, though, is the emphasis on the intent of the
deceivers, which was to draw these new believers away from the joy of their
faith.
This same theme is carried through the book of Hebrews, where the writer
begins by making a clear statement of Jesus' deity, and follows with a
clear differentiation between Jesus and all created beings, showing that
Jesus is superior. Chapter 2 begins with the statement warning us not to
drift away by ignoring the things stated about Jesus, and instead trusting
to angels. This warning was issued to believers for the same reason that
Paul delivered the message, people were coming to those who had believed
and confusing the message of the gospel, and were being led away from
knowing Jesus as God.
It is also interesting to look at the Gospels. The synoptics were already
available when John saw the need to write one more gospel. Each of the
synoptics had presented a particular aspect of the work of Jesus in His
earthly ministry. But while these gospels had been written, again there
were deceivers who were spreading a different gospel, a gospel presented on
Jesus as a created being, but not God. Much later, probably after Paul had
written all of his epistles, John felt it necessary to present the deity of
Jesus indisputably. Why? Because again there were people who were arguing
against the deity of Christ.
All through the history of the early church, doctrines developed that
presented views of Jesus that were contrary to that presented by the
apostles and by Jesus Himself. The confusion was not only creating
controversy in the church, but was making it difficult for people to know
what to believe it meant to be Christian. The development of church
doctrines, at least in the early church, was necessary to provide clear
statements of exactly what the Bible had to say about various issues, and
particularly about the nature of God. They are not developed to change or
add to the Bible, but to make the teaching of the Bible clear to all.
It was in this vein that the church met at Nicaea and Chalcedon, to present
a clear statement of the nature of Christ. At these councils there were
two clear statements made about the nature of God. At Nicaea
the statement of the trinity was presented, that God was one, that He
exists in one nature, in three persons. At Chalcedon, the nature of Christ
was presented, that Christ is truly God and truly man, that He is one
person, with two natures.
Neither of these conclusions was novel, they were simply a restatement of
what the church had believed since the day of Pentecost. In these two
statements, the nature of the heresy of the Monarchians, Docetists,
Gnostics and others was clearly revealed. None agreed with these
statements about the nature of Christ completely. Those with a true heart
to put their faith in God now had a clear statement of the nature and
personality of the God of their faith.
I am the first to acknowledge that this doctrine is unfathomable in
reality, and describable only in concept. We must remember that we are a
finite people that serve an infinite God. It is impossible for the finite
to comprehend the infinite completely. But each of these characteristics
of God/Jesus is clearly revealed both in scripture and tradition. Is it so
hard for us, the finite, to acknowledge that we might not be able to
understand all there is to know about God? Or how it might not be possible
to describe the Holy Trinity within our finite understanding of reality?
Are we so puffed up as to question what God has revealed to us?
Understand this, I do not believe it is necessary to confess the
Trinitarian nature of God in order to believe the gospel in faith. We can
be saved without a clear concept of the trinity. If the basic
considerations of these doctrines were not true, however, then our
redemption would not be possible, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be a
lie. Mark clearly presented the passages that demonstrate the personhood
of each member of the Holy Trinity, and the clear statements that God is
one. In this definition then Jesus must be God. It is also clearly
presented that Jesus was in every way a man, born of a human woman. Both
of these facts are necessary for our redemption. Simply stated, if Jesus
were not a man, then He could not have represented us on the cross. If He
were a created being, His death would have had no more power to salvation
that the death of any other created being. He must be God in order to
provide the release from the curse of the law, and to provide us the hope
of our salvation. This gives us a new life both in eternity, and in the
present time.
Since the time of Jesus until this time, men have come forward to present a
different Jesus than the Jesus of the Bible. In order to do this, they
must distort the nature of Jesus, denying either His complete humanity or
His complete Deity. What we have on this list is just one of these
deceptions. For reasons unstated there are those who try to convince us
with fine sounding arguments that there is no Trinity, and that Jesus is
not God. Just like the last 2,000 (almost) years.
I make my argument not to those who debate against divine nature of Jesus,
but to you who may have been caused to question what they believe, or
possibly doubt that Jesus has the power to save them, so that you might
strengthen your faith in Him. It grieves me to the depths of my soul to
see Jesus' nature denied in such "fine sounding arguments". As Paul
clearly stated in Colossians:
(Col 2:4 NIV) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by
fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am
present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how
firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus
as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him,
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with
thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and
deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic
principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the
fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given
fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
Read that verse 9 again, all the fullness of God in bodily form. This is
the Lord Jesus we serve, not a created being. My prayer for all of you is
the same as Paul's, that the Holy Spirit that is in you would reveal all
truth about who Jesus is and the nature of God, that you might live in the
full confidence of your faith in the hope that Jesus brings.
With the love of Jesus,
Jeff
May the blessing given in Numbers 6:24-26 fall on all who read this - "The
LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace."
© Copyright 1998 Jeff Hughes. Used by permission.
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