Email: The e-mail begins with a quote from CARM on the Trinity and then follows a question with a condemnation.
God is a trinity of persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the same person as the Son; the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit; and the Holy Spirit is not the same person as Father. They are not three gods and not three beings. They are three distinct persons; yet, they are all the one God. Each has a will, can speak, can love, etc., and these are demonstrations of personhood. They are in absolute perfect harmony consisting of one substance. They are coeternal, coequal, and copowerful. If any one of the three were removed, there would be no God. (See also, “Another Look at the Trinity“)
“Since you claim that if “any one of the three are removed there would be no god” then what happened for the three days while Jesus was dead? Did the universe cease to exist? The trinity is a false concept . . . May Yahweh Elohim Rebuke you for the blasphemy you teach… In the NAME OF YAHSHUA MESSIAH… LET IT BE DONE!”
Response: Unfortunately, this person fails to understand the doctrine of the incarnation. Jesus has two natures: divine and human. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the word (which was God) and became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14). This is why it says in Colossians 2:9 that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of deity in bodily form. Therefore, we can see that in the one person of Christ are two distinct natures. We do not say that there are two persons, nor do we say that the two natures are mixed up, formed a new third thing, or are not related in the single person known as Jesus.
When Jesus died on the cross, his human nature died. The divine nature did not die. Therefore, we see that the Trinity never ceased to exist; and this critic’s question becomes irrelevant since he demonstrates he does not understand what he is criticizing and is, basically, attacking a false concept of what the Trinity is. (See also the article Communicatio Idiomatum concerning the person and work of Jesus.)
It is unfortunate that this individual seeks to curse me and, apparently, others who hold to the doctrine of the Trinity. Yet, he does so by attacking a false concept and in pronouncing judgment upon those who hold that false concept. It would seem that he is unaware of his error.
