Is God a Trinity?

More than two billion people claim to be Christian and belong to churches that teach the doctrine of the Trinity. That's the idea that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit together form the three in one God. But, does it add up?

Have you ever wondered if the teaching agrees with the Bible? How did the Trinity become an official doctrine anyway? More importantly, should you believe it? Believe it or not, your eternal life could be at stake!

Now let me tell you this: I am a Christian. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, but I don't believe in the Trinity. Today, I'll explain why.

So stay tuned to Beyond Today as we answer the question: Is God a Trinity?

[Announcer] Join our host, Steve Myers, and his guests, as they help you understand your future on Beyond Today!

[Steve] You may think the whole Christian world professes the Trinity. But, many Christians throughout history have not accepted it.

Let's think about that: Do you know when the Bible was written? Now if you thought about it, you'd probably say it was in the first century—and you'd be right.

Now when did teachings that led to the development of the Trinity begin? Well you might think the Old Testament—no. Well then, you might think, must be the New Testament.

It actually began at a Catholic Church council meeting in the city of Nicaea—that's what led to the development of the Trinity doctrine. Now that wasn't just 50 years after the New Testament; or a hundred years, not even 150 years later after the New Testament but it was actually in 325 A.D. That's more than two centuries after the completion of the Bible.

A statement of belief that's accredited to that Council, established the first official definition of God and Christ according to The New Catholic Encyclopedia. But there's a problem: the Trinity doctrine is hopelessly flawed and unbiblical.

Why was it necessary to try to define God and Jesus Christ centuries after the Bible was completed? Do you think the Bible was hazy on the concept of the Father and Jesus? No, it's not. There is no doubt that both God the Father and His Son, Jesus are both eternal.

So let's notice a bit of history for just a moment: The original apostles had long been martyred. Now to avoid being fed to the lions, Christians went underground for much of that time. The Roman Empire was declining. Christianity—it was splintered and broken.

So with that background, Roman Emperor Constantine ordered, led and in the end, approved of what developed into the formula of "three persons in one being"—that's the basis of the Trinity doctrine. Now, why?

Because factions of Christianity couldn't agree. And it had become so hostile that it erupted into disunity in his empire. Now in spite of the fact that Constantine didn't even believe in the Trinity, it became part of his political campaign to unite the factions under one state religion in order to strengthen his Empire.

Now, few dispute the facts. There's really no evidence to "spiritualize" history by pretending that Constantine was some holy man who was led by God to do what he did. That just is not true. It was just four years before Nicaea that Constantine declared Sunday to be an Empire-wide day of rest in honor of the sun god—that's certainly not Christian.

So he wasn't seeking religious truth—he was going to be sure that religion wouldn't divide his empire. So the reasons are plentiful to believe that he formed the Nicean Council strictly for political purposes.

Imagine if that happened today. That would be like the President of the United States inviting representatives from all the assorted Christian denominations out there. Next, he would have a conference to mix together all of their various, different beliefs. Then, he would tell them to come up with a consensus—work out the differences and come to an agreement. Now, can you imagine that? But don't stop there. Finally, they're told to form a unified church—a single religion for the entire country!

Now, if that wasn't enough, it would be sanctioned and led—not by some great religious leader—but a political leader—the President himself! Now that's about what it was like.

So what actually happened? Just like in politics, the views of the majority were accepted, approved and implemented. So Constantine got what he wanted—a more unified empire—but not true biblical teaching.

In the big debate God, Christ—the definitions were won by the majority. They won the argument. So what happened to the losing belief? Well, it was criticized. It was condemned and denounced as heresy. It was unorthodox.

What if spiritual teachings were decided like that today? Can you imagine if your beliefs had to be approved by the majority? How would that change Bible teachings?

Would the majority of society today say it's wrong to look at a woman with lust? (Matthew:5:28). Would a majority approve biblical marriage or adultery? What if it were put up for a vote? How many Commandments would we have? Seven? Maybe three? Certainly, not the best way to determine biblical truth—let alone define the nature of God.

Even the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "In order to articulate the dogma of the Trinity, the [Catholic] Church had to develop her own terminology with the help of certain notions of philosophical origin."

So by the end of the fourth century, and other Councils, the Trinity had essentially taken the form it has today—three persons in one god. But this wasn't the New Testament Church's teaching. Notice this quote: "The doctrine of the Trinity ... is not a product of the earliest Christian period..."( Gods and the One God (Library of Early Christianity) by Robert M. Grant).

So it becomes clear: the doctrine of the Trinity is a man made idea. It's a compromise of religious ideas. Now before you change the channel—let me say again that the Bible clearly portrays God the Father and Jesus Christ as full-fledged eternal members of the Godhead.

But let me challenge you.

Biblical scholars are well aware of the problems and history of the three in one Trinity—the so called triune god. Two prominent theology professors wrote: "It is understandable that the importance placed on this doctrine is perplexing to many lay Christians and students. Nowhere is it clearly and unequivocally stated in Scripture…How can it be so important if it is not explicitly stated in Scripture?...The doctrine of the Trinity developed gradually after the completion of the New Testament…" (Roger Olson & Christopher Hall, The Trinity, Eerdmans Pub. 2002, pp. 1-2)

It is a fact. The Trinitarian dogma was invented hundreds of years after Christ. By 451, with the approval of the Pope, debate on the matter was no longer tolerated. To speak against the Trinity was now blasphemy. If you did, you could be sentenced to mutilation or even death. People turned on each other. Thousands were maimed and slaughtered because of a difference of opinion. But even that didn't stop the controversy over the doctrine of the Trinity and that controversy continues even today.

Exactly how could God be the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—supposedly existing in three distinct but equal persons? The late New York archbishop, Cardinal John O'Connor said: "We know that it is a very profound mystery, which we don't begin to understand."

But should it be that way? That you can't even understand God? Does it even matter?

Absolutely! It impacts your eternal life! The idea of the Trinity is a core teaching of mainstream Christianity but do you realize that it obstructs your understanding and relationship with the Father and your Savior Jesus Christ.

One Christian website presented the question: "Can you become a Christian if you deny the Trinity?" They answered: "No. If you don't believe in the Trinity, then you don't understand who God is…Second, you couldn't possibly understand who Christ is…To deny the Trinity is…to wrongly understand the true gospel." (gty.org)

Now by that standard, since Cardinal O'Connor said he didn't begin to understand [the Trinity], he wouldn't be a Christian. Even more shocking? Jesus Himself wouldn't be considered a Christian. He said "the hour is coming, and now is, when [the] true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." (John:4:23) He didn't say worship the three in one triune god. In fact, Christ said "My Father is greater than I"—not equal (John:14:28).

Well how could that be—if they are co-equal? If they are one, yet somehow distinct? Well how can I know the true God if the Trinity is such a mystery that I can't even begin to understand but I have to accept?

Is understanding who God is that important anyway? Yes. Your worship, your salvation, even your eternal life depends on it. Jesus emphasized the significance, "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John:17:2).

Realizing the truth is critical to your relationship with God and your future. Don't be deceived by a false notion that says you can't understand. There is so much to say about this subject and this erroneous doctrine of the Trinity—much more than I can possibly cover today. But you can understand.