The Trinity
When I first studied the Bible as a new believer, I accepted the Trinity as a fundamental truth in Trinitarian Christianity. But as I dug deeper into Scripture, historical documents, and early church writings, troubling questions emerged:
- If the Trinity is central to Trinitarian Christianity, why do even Trinitarian scholars admit the doctrine isn't found in the Bible?
- How could the apostles preach salvation without ever mentioning it in their letters?
- Why did it take over 300 years after Christ for the church to formalize this doctrine?
- Why are there so many variations of the Trinity doctrine and which one is correct?
The Development of the Trinity Theology
The bible is monotheistic which means only one God exists. Unitarians accept the basic view that God is only YHWH the Father of Jesus Christ.
yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. — 1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV)
However, different stages during the development of the Trinity Theology, monotheism were redefined as follows by different sects and churches:
- Hierarchical triad:
- the Father is the supreme and unbegotten God
- the Son is second and subordinate to the Father
- the prophetic Spirit is third divine being
- Modalism: one God appears under three names or modes, rather than as three distinct persons.
- Subordinationism: the Father, Son, and Spirit share one divine reality, but their authority is ranked, with the Father highest.
- Arianism:
- the Father alone is the unbegotten God
- the pre-existent Son was created by and is subordinate to the Father
There philosophies lead to the Nicene Creed which defined the Son is begotten, not made, is true God, and is of the same substance as the Father.
Later the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed expanded the doctrine to name the Spirit as Lord and life-giver, proceeding from the Father and worshipped with the Father and the Son.
Despite the carefully crafted creeds, there were still flaws in the theology, which lead to the definition of the Dual nature of Jesus which defines him as one person but simultaneously with fully divine and fully human natures at the same time to compenstate scriptural contradictions.
David wrote:
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. — Psalm 19:7 (ESV)
The LORD's testimony is supposed to be simple enough for the layman to understand and should not require years of theological studies, complex philosophy or creed formulations.
Witnesses
The biblical accounts do not present belief in a co-equal Trinity. Jesus affirmed that God is one in Mark 12:28-34. The Jews did not understand God as a Trinity when responding to Jesus in John 10:30-33. Paul taught that the Son remains subject to God, even at the end, in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.
Together, these witnesses support the conclusion that Trinitarian belief is not expressed in these biblical accounts.
Missing evidence
- There are no scriptures that define God as being Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- There are no scriptures that define God as 3, 3 in 1, or a combination of personalities, parts, modes or aspects.
- The Jewish Rabbis, Scribes, Pharisees, and Priests spend a great deal of time studying the Tanach (Old Testament) in their own language. If there was any proof of a Trinity, they would have noticed it. Yet we see through history the Jews fiercely defended the facts that there is only one God.
- There are no scriptures that say that Jesus has two natures or two minds or that he is a God-man, or that he is fully God and fully man.
- There are no scriptures of people praying to Jesus (except face to face conversations).
- There are no scriptures of people praying to the Holy Spirit.
- There are no scriptures of people worshipping the Holy Spirit.
People got saved without knowing about the Trinity
| Scripture | Description |
|---|---|
| Luke 7:36-50 | Jesus converted a woman without telling her that he is God. |
| Acts 2:14-47 | Peter converted 3000 people without telling them Jesus is God. |
| Acts 13:13-44; 17:22-34 | Paul converted people without telling them Jesus is God. |
The Death of Christ
If the Son was an Immortal God, how did He die?
A typical response would be that the Son became man and then returned to God. However, that reasoning also clashes with scripture that states that God does not change: Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; Psalm 102:25–27.
Therefore it is essential that Christ should not be an immortal God otherwise his crucifixion was only a show.
Jesus was not God
Scripture shows that Jesus had a God, denies being God, but instead he was considered the Son of God. Therefore, he could not have qualified to be a member of the Trinity.
Jesus Has Different Will Than His God
A person naturally has 1 will, 1 mind, and 1 personality. In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to the Father:
“He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me. Nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.’” — Matthew 26:39 (WEB)
“Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.’” — Matthew 26:42 (WEB); Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42
A special pleading is necessary for the Trinitarian theology which claims that the incarnate Son also possesses a second human will. Jesus’ prayer is therefore understood as his human will shrinking from suffering while freely submitting to divine will.
Question is whether this explanation arises naturally from Gospel texts. Jesus speaks to Father as “I” to “you,” and contrasts his will with Father’s will. This language appears to describe a real distinction between one praying and one addressed. A Trinitarian interpretation must therefore explain why this distinction reflects two wills in Christ rather than two separate divine persons with separate centres of consciousness.
The Apostolic Letters
Paul names only 2 members of the Trinity
Note that the Holy Spirit is always missing from Paul's blessings, which implies that Paul did not consider the Holy Spirit important enough to be considered as part of the "Trinity".
Paul mentions:
- God our Father
- Lord Jesus Christ
- but the Holy Spirit is missing
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His Prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His son Jesus Christ our Lord... — Romans 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen — Galatians 1:1-4 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — Philippians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — Colossians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. — 1 Timothy 1:1-2 (ESV)
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. — 2 Timothy 1:1-2 (ESV)
Paul, a servant of God and aan apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in ma common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. — Titus 1:1-4 (ESV)
Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — Philemon 1:1-3 (ESV)
James names only 2 members of the Trinity
James mentions:
- God
- Lord Jesus Christ
- but the Holy Spirit is missing
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. — James 1:1 (ESV)
Peter names only 2 members of the Trinity
Peter mentions:
- God the Father
- Jesus Christ
- the Spirit (missing in the second letter of Peter)
However, in the context of 1 Peter:1, "the Spirit" is complementing the "blood", but the "blood" is not considered as a fourth member of the Trinity.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of
- God the Father in the sanctification of the Spirit,
- for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
— 1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV)
If the Spirit is proven to be "God" by this greeting, then the "blood" should also be a "god" making the Trinity 4 members not 3.
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained aa faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. — 2 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV)
John names only 2 members of the Trinity
John mentions:
- God the Father
- Jesus Christ the Father's Son
- but the Holy Spirit is missing
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. — 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)
The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. — 2 John 1:1-3 (ESV)
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. — 3 John 1:1 (ESV)
Jude names only 2 members of the Trinity
Jude mentions:
- God the Father
- Jesus Christ
- but the Holy Spirit is missing
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. — Jude 1:1 (ESV)
The author of Hebrews names only 2 members of the Trinity
The author mentions:
- God of peace
- our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd
- but the Holy Spirit is missing
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. — Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
The Effects of Faith in the Trinity
| Triune God | Single God |
|---|---|
| Complexity: Complex to reason, witness or share the Gospel of God | Clarity: Simple to explain and the Gospel is easy to understand |
| Confusion: Cannot understand the "mysteries of God" | Clarity: No contradictions |
| Idolatry: Potentially worshipping the wrong member of the Trinity | Clarity: Only 1 God to serve and worship |
| Christianity: Some adherents live only for the glory of Jesus | Purpose: The Father is the purpose of existence and Jesus is the way to the Father (Ephesians 1:3-6) |
| Outsiders: The Godhead is complete, adherents are outsiders (sinners) | Adopted: As the Father accepted Jesus as His Son, people can be adopted too |
| No miracles: A Jesus God does miracles by himself, which is impossible for adherents | Miracles: Jesus did miracles by God's Spirit which people can also receive |
| No sacrifice: A Jesus God could escape suffering (adherents will not know) | Sacrifice: Jesus was 100% human, therefore he earns the highest honour |
| Doubt: If Jesus was not really dead (immortal God), adherents have no proof of a resurrection | Assurance: If God truly resurrected Jesus from the death, He can do the same for people |
| Limited empathy: A Jesus God could not fully understand human suffering | Real empathy: A human Jesus understand people's struggles 100% |
| Fake witness: A Jesus-Father who is the same person is no witness at all. | True witness: Jesus with a distinct free will is a true witness with God (John 8:17-18) |
| Unrealistic standards: It's impossible to live like a Jesus God | Realistic standards: Jesus set a realistic standard to live by |
| Obscure: Prevents monotheistic religions like Jews and Muslims from believing Christ | Accessible: Much more approachable to monotheistic religions like Jews and Muslims |
Conclusion
The orthodox Trinity defines one God as three distinct, coequal and coeternal persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who share one divine essence. This definition is not established by the evidence considered here. Scripture identifies the one God as the Father, not as three persons.
Jesus calls the Father his God, has a distinct and subordinate will, truly dies, and is raised by God. The Holy Spirit is described as God's own presence and power, proceeding from the Father, rather than as a separate coequal God.
No passage defines God as three coequal persons or Jesus as possessing two natures. Later creed terms, including homoousios, and the dual-nature formulation cannot replace explicit Scripture. If even one required claim fails, the Trinity definition fails. This article argues that all its central claims fail.
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. — John 17:3 (ESV)