Thank You!
for taking a closer look at the Scriptural truth.
We hope you have evidently seen the
discrepancy or difference in the Trinitarian and
Iglesia ni Cristo beliefs
in God and Jesus Christ.
| |
Many Trinitarians may find it hard to accept the truth that
the Trinity doctrine is vaguely supported by the Holy
Scriptures, however,
after a thorough examination of the given supporting verses,
it is very obvious that the scriptural support is missing―that
is,
the given supporting verses do not directly pertain
to the Trinity doctrine or belief.
Apparently, the proponents of the Trinitarian belief,
(a) "personally interpreted" and/or (b) "went
beyond what is written"
in the Holy Scriptures to make it conform to their Trinitarian
doctrine and belief.
You may have already noticed
that the verses cited to support the Trinity doctrine
was based on suppositions and presumptions because
the Trinity doctrine is not taught explicitly in the Holy Bible.
This apparent discrepancy in the
use of the scriptures
evidently show the "lack of direct scriptural support"
of the Trinitarian belief in God and Jesus Christ.
. |
|
Is the observation about the "lack of
direct scriptural support"
of the
Trinitarian doctrine and belief well founded?
| |
|
The following are excerpts from the Wikipedia article on
Nontrinitaianism:
Scriptural support:
Critics argue that the Trinity,
for a teaching described as fundamental, lacks direct
scriptural support, and even some proponents of the
doctrine acknowledge that direct or formal support is lacking.
The New
Catholic Encyclopedia
says, "The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not taught
[explicitly] in the [Old Testament]", "The formulation 'one God
in three Persons' was not solidly established [by a
council]...prior to the end of the 4th century".[12]
Similarly, Encyclopedia
Encarta states:
"The doctrine is not taught explicitly in the New
Testament, where the word God almost invariably refers to the
Father. [...] The term trinitas
was first used in the 2nd century, by the Latin theologian
Tertullian, but the concept was developed in the course of the
debates on the nature of Christ [...]. In the 4th century, the
doctrine was finally formulated".[13]
Encyclopædia Britannica
says: "Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit
doctrine appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his
followers intend to contradict the
Shema in the Old Testament: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our
God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4). [...] The doctrine developed
gradually over several centuries and through many controversies.
[...] by the end of the 4th century, under the leadership of
Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and
Gregory of Nazianzus (the Cappadocian
Fathers), the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the
form it has maintained ever since."[14]
The
Anchor Bible Dictionary
states: "One does not find in the NT the trinitarian
paradox of the coexistence of the Father, Son, and Spirit within
a divine unity."[15]
Source: Wikipedia,
Nontrinitarianism,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontrinitarianism ( (as of Dec. 21, 2011, 21:10 GMT).
|
|
YES indeed!
The observation about the "lack of direct scriptural
support"
of the Trinitarian belief is well founded
as you can read the following from
the above statements of
well-known encyclopedia's and dictionary: |
- "The doctrine of the
Holy Trinity is not taught [explicitly] in the [Old
Testament]", "The formulation 'one God in
three Persons' was not solidly established [by a
council]...prior to the end of the 4th century"
(New
Catholic Encyclopedia)
- "The doctrine is not taught explicitly in the New
Testament, where the word God almost invariably refers to the
Father. [...] The term trinitas
was first used in the 2nd century, by the Latin theologian
Tertullian, but the concept was developed in the course of the
debates on the nature of Christ [...]. In the 4th century, the
doctrine was finally formulated". (Encyclopedia
Encarta)
-
"Neither the word Trinity nor the explicit
doctrine appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his
followers intend to contradict the
Shema in the Old Testament: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our
God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4). [...] The doctrine developed
gradually over several centuries and through many controversies.
[...] by the end of the 4th century, under the leadership of
Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and
Gregory of Nazianzus (the Cappadocian
Fathers), the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the
form it has maintained ever since.
(Encyclopædia Britannica)
- "One does not find in the NT the trinitarian
paradox of the coexistence of the Father, Son, and Spirit within
a divine unity. (Anchor Bible Dictionary)
|
In the previous comparative
presentation,
we have clearly shown to you that the
doctrine of the Trinity "lack direct scriptural support"
as the doctrine is "not taught explicitly"
in
the Holy Bible.
While, on the contrary,
we have clearly shown to you
the
"solid scriptural basis" of the Iglesia ni
Cristo doctrine which is "clearly taught"
by the Lord Jesus Christ
and His apostles in the Holy
Bible.
May this website open your mind to the
scriptural truth
and encourage you to further your studies of the words of God
written in the Holy Bible.
The Iglesia ni Cristo does not hide the truth.
You are welcome to study
the doctrines and beliefs of the Iglesia ni
Cristo
in comparison with other religions.
May the Holy Scriptures be made clear and
meaningful to you as you continue your study.
May you ultimately find the way, the truth and the life.
Thank you
for including the Iglesia ni Cristo in your
study.
. |
|
|
______________________
| |
Please follow the link below to continue your studies.
ComparativeBibleStudyLessons.com
Comparing
Beliefs about God and Jesus Christ.
We present the verses - not opinions. You decide which is the
biblical truth.
Interesting
Questions from those who studied
the "Iglesia ni Cristo"
Interesting Questions and Answers that might be of interest you.
Bible Study
Suggestion:
If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the
Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind. |
 Searching
for the knowledge of the truth? |
|
Note: This section is under construction. More
information will be added from time to time. |
▲Top
of Page |
|