Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Trinity vs. Godhead Mormons View

Mormons are Monotheists in that we worship only one God, who is the Father. We do it all through Jesus Christ, just as Jesus taught in the Bible.

I fully affirm the oneness of God, and everything we teach is consistent with this. The GodHead has perfect unity of purpose, will and mind. The Bible also teaches that Jesus Christ is distinctly individual from the Father, yet still God. And the Holy Ghost is also a distinct Individual and can be called God.

Comment on John1:1-2 “Word was with God” and “Word was God.” These are not exclusive comments, but rather inclusive. They were together, they are one in purpose.

Back to John 1:1-2 the Greek text must be read and interpreted here. The first and third occurrence of the word "God" in these verses comes from Greek Ho Theos, meaning THE God, while the second occurrence is simply Theos, meaning God. It’s quite possible then that the English translation could read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with The God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with The God." It’s quite clear that the Word and The God are not the same Being. Christ is divine and a God, but was WITH another divine being, THE God.

They are one in purpose. Read John 17 where the followers of Christ are one. John 17:11,21-24 “11And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… 21That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (KJV)

Christ said the Father is greater than Him (John 14:28), and spoke of the Father as His God and our God (John 20:17). Peter likewise speaks of the Father as "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:1), and multiple passages refer to Christ being at the right hand of the Father.

Some commonalities between us all: We believe in the Oneness of the Father and the Son. They are one. We believe in one God (The Father) and one Lord (Jesus). Ephesians 4:5-6. We believe in the one and only God whom we worship. And we all believe in God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Orthodox Christianity resolves the potential Polytheisms issue through its belief in the Trinity. Which was devised democratically from nearly 400 intellectuals debating the topic. Let’s just defer to the Bible. Mormons, worship only God the Father (through Christ) as Monotheists. The Bible teaches us of the role of Christ. John 5:22-23 (King James Version)
“22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

All of the other scriptures shared by others, including Isaiah and Deuteronomy are correct and completely consistent with this view and all of the scriptures at the top of the page.

The same person, Moses, who Wrote Deut 6, wrote in Genesis 1:29 “And God said, let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.” (KJV) all of these are noticeably plurality, Father and Son together working as ONE.).

None of this contradicts my statements or all scriptures posted above. A God of Unity is absolutely taught in the Bible, but not that they are the exact same being. The quantity of scriptures above when read in their totality give this same understanding. I think one should be careful in taking one or two scriptures and disregard the rest.

An early Christian Father from aprox 330 A.D. Gregory Nazianzen (you should look him up on Wikipedia)

“When we look at the Godhead, or the First Cause, or the Monarchia, that which we conceive is One; but when we look at the Persons in Whom the Godhead dwells, and at Those Who timelessly and with equal glory have their Being from the First Cause - there are Three Whom we worship”. (On the Holy Spirit, 5.14, in NPNF, 7:322, as cited by Waltz, p. 172)

“I will baptize you and make you a disciple in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; and These Three have One common name, the Godhead.” (Ibid., 40.45, in NPNF, 7:376.)

We were created in GOD'S Image, i.e. after him, NOT God created in the image of man. Therefore, if we look like God, we have some of his attributes. We all believe Jesus Christ was resurrected and received a glorified and perfect body. We also believe that through this resurrection, all of us will overcome mortal death and also be resurrected just like him. If Christ was resurrected, what is the state of his body now? Is he not eternal? Why would he be resurrected and then return to a spirt?

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3) (KJV)

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