By Martin
In the following study we would like to look at the Mr. Gerhard Pfandl attempt to prove his version of the trinity doctrine by scripture alone. I believe with a thorough study of each point made by Mr. Gerhard we all can come to the conclusion that he is holding to an unbiblical doctrine of God that is not based on the bible. It is in fact not the orthodox trinity that he is attempting to teach, but a form of polytheism or tritheism. Direct quotes from Mr. Gerhard will be in quotations, and each part will be in the order that he presents his case. So with this let us begin.
MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY: Mr. Gerhard states that “the teaching (of the trinity) is clearly found” in the bible. This is again, another fabrication, the inventors and protectors of the trinity doctrine; the Roman Catholic Church admits that it cannot be clearly found in scripture. Mr. Gerhard states that the concept Father, Son and Holy Spirit being three persons who make the one God is biblical. Even though the bible states the ONLY TRUE GOD is the Father (John 17:3, Timothy 2:5, 1st Corinthian 8:4-6).
At least Gerhard admits that we “Cannot comprehend (the trinity) and make it intelligible”. I would have to suggest the reason being is it is a fabrication of pagans.
THE TRINITY IN SCRIPTURE:
A: IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
1. Genesis
Mr. Gerhard begins his course on the ‘trinity’ by alluding that the term ‘Elohim’ which is used in reference to GOD in Genesis is plural, thus it must mean God is really more than one. Elohim is the majestic plural of the Hebrew word El. In the Hebrew sense of the word it simply means Mighty. Mr. Gerhard’s comments are quite shocking, for the Lord has told us that He is ONE. Not two or three, the Jews who base their beliefs solely on the Hebrew Scriptures are purely monotheistic. As stated earlier Elohim is the Majestic Plural of El. It denotes Exceeding Strength. For example a King may state, “Lay not your hands on OUR person”. Our in this sense is the majestic plural; it is a plural word that refers to one person. We can find Elohim clearly used in this manner in reference to several singular beings. For instance the singular god Dagon of the Philistines is referenced as such. “Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god (eloheem), and to rejoice: for they said, Our god (Elohim) hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand”. Judges 16:23
In the following verse the singular false god Chemosh is referred to as Elohim along with Jehovah. Judges 11:24 Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god (eloheem) giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God (Elohim) shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.
Jehovah refers to Moses as Eloheem in Exodus 7:1. “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god (Elohim) to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet”. Thus again we see the singular being Moses is referred to as Elohim. Now, was Moses the one true God or a false god? Neither! He was a mighty representative of the one true God.
B: Mr. Gerhard also suggests that verse 26 chapter 1 of Genesis suggests a trinity. “Let US make man in our image, according to our likeness”. How do we know he is talking to two persons? The only way one can come to this conclusion is to be reading through Trinitarian glasses. Thankfully the bible is clear on who the US is in this text. God created all things THROUGH his Son.
Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by (DIA-THROUGH) Jesus Christ:
Thus Mr. Gerhard has yet to provide evidence that GOD is in reality three persons.
2. Deuteronomy 6:4
Jehovah declared “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD IS ONE” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Mr. Gerhard suggests that because the term ‘ONE’ is the Hebrew word ‘echad’ that “It seems that something is being affirmed here about the nature of God – he is an organism, that is an unity of distinct parts”. WOW, how did they get this from that verse? Well, ‘echad’ is sometimes used to show unity, for instance after marriage the man and woman become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). But ‘echad’ is used over and over again to refer to one individual; for instance Lot is called “This one (echad) fellow” in Genesis 19:9. What is truly puzzling is if God meant he really was three, why did he not say so? Why did he let the Jews go all this time believing he is ONE? What truly is impressive is the fact that Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 in this manner.
Mark 12:29 “And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:” Here the word ONE is from the Greek word ‘HICE’. Hice usually shows numeric oneness. When Jesus quoted the verse about two becoming one flesh (Matthew 19:5) he used the term ‘mia’ which shows unity. Also note that the scribe, who was strictly monotheistic, was commended by Jesus in his belief that Jesus’ Father was the one true God.
Mark 12:29,32,34 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: … And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: … And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. .. it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: John 8:54
3. Other Old Testament texts:
Again Mr. Gerhard suggests that when the LORD says ‘US’ he is referring to a trinity, how does Mr. Gerhard know he is not referring to five or to a thousand? Not only God knows good and evil, but Christ and the angels also know. But Mr. Gerhard asks, “But did God ever call on his creatures for advice?”
Mr. Gerhard must have forgotten about the Lord’s conversation with Abraham before the destruction of Sodom. In it we find the Lord asking, “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do” Genesis 18:17 .
Jesus also asked: When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? John 6:5
Yet we know that neither God nor Christ asks things to gain information, but rather to make other persons think.
Mr. Gerhard faulty reasoning caused him to suggest, “There is a plurality of beings in the speaker”. Thus Mr. Gerhard has accepted TRITHEISM, which is a belief that there are three divine beings that are each God. This is paganism, not Christianity.
4. THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.
Mr. Gerhard suggests that the “Angel of the Lord” even though he is distinct from the Lord, must be “as God himself, or as some external power of GOD…. This messenger must be seen as a special manifestation of the being of God himself”. He comes to this conclusion because the Angel of the Lord often speaks in the behalf of Jehovah. This is easily understood when we realize that an Angel is the spokesman or messenger of Jehovah.
“Behold I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions for my NAME IS IN HIM” Exodus 23:21
If the ‘Angel of the Lord’ as Mr. Gerhard suggests is another manifestation of GOD, then there must not only be three but at least four in his ‘godhead’. For the ‘Angel of the LORD’ appeared to Joseph after Christ was incarnated within the womb of Mary.
Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Thus again we see that Mr. Gerhard is building upon the faulty sands of heathen theology instead of upon the bible.
B. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Mr. Gerhard again shows that he is actually a believer in tritheism by making the following strange remark. “The very fact that God is said to be love implies that there must be a plurality within the Godhead since love can only exist in a relationship between different beings”. Thus Mr. Gerhard’s strange logic has led him once again to suggest that God is more than one BEING.
(A). Mr. Gerhard suggests that at the Baptism of Jesus is a clear example of ‘the trinity’. You have GOD speaking from heaven, calling Jesus his ‘Son’, and you have the Spirit of GOD taking the form of a dove. How does Mr. Gerhard see One God in three persons in this? Where does it say that each is a person, co-equal and co-eternal with the other, and yet each is the one God? The Spirit is the Spirit OF God, his breath, his life, his mind, his presence with us. When it is cold outside, I can see my breath, does it mean that it is a different person than I? John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Next Mr. Gerhard again shows his tritheistic roots, he suggests that Jesus really isn’t the Son OF God, but rather ‘the son’ is a role taken on by one of the three members of the God club. Mr. Gerhard states: “The sonship of Jesus, however, is not ontological, but functional. In the plan of salvation each member of the trinity has accepted a particular role”. This is clearly tritheistic, and anti-christ. He is clearly denying that GOD is the actual Father of Christ!
1John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
(B). Mr. Gerhard also suggests that the command of Jesus to “Baptize in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the holy Ghost” is a clear Trinitarian statement. I would like to ask, What is the holy Spirit’s name? It doesn’t have one! Here the term ‘name’ means authority. Notice that there isn't a name in this baptism teaching, there are two titles "Father and Son". What did Jesus mean by this teaching? The person being baptized should recognize the authority of the one GOD the Father (John 17:3), we recognize the authority of our One Lord and mediator Jesus (1st Corinthians 8:4-6, 1st Timothy 2:5), and we recognize their further influence through the power of the holy Spirit by being baptized in the name of Jesus. The actual name the church baptized in during the first century was in the name of JESUS (Acts 2:38, 8:16, 19:5).
You will also notice that though Mr. Gerhard tries to find another Trinitarian formula in the New Testament he fails greatly. 2nd Corinthians 12:4-6 and 13:14 and Ephesians 4:4-6 clearly state that the ONE GOD is the Father.
THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST.
(1). Mr. Gerhard quotes John 1:1-3 to suggest there is a trinity. When these verses are examined closely and compared with other scripture, there is very little mystery to the meaning.: John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (Ho Theos), and the Word was God (theos). The same was in the beginning with God.
Here we see that the Word was with the God, which is being used as the proper noun for the Almighty God, and the word was theos, or God by nature (Divine) for it is describing the quality of the word. It is not saying the Word was the same person as he was with. Not only does the bible use theos in description of the divine nature of Christ, but it also uses it to show Christ as God’s chief representative and his divine ruler ship which was given to him by God Almighty.
Theos is used in the following ways in the New Testament.
It is used as a title of ruler ship in reference to Satan.
2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god (Theos) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Hebrew judges were called gods also.
It refers to a number of false gods in the bible: John10:35, Acts 7:40, Acts 14:11, Acts 19:26
It is used to show the God like qualities in the following verses.
2nd Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly (Theos) sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2nd Corinthians 7:9 , Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly (Theos) manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
1st Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly (Theos) edifying which is in faith: so do
3 John 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly (theos) sort, thou shalt do well (also see 2nd Corinthians 7:11, 11:2)
It is used to show ‘much or very’ in the following: Acts 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding (Theos) fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
(2). JOHN 20:28
Mr. Gerhard also uses John 20:28 where Thomas exclaims “My Lord and God” while speaking to Christ in his search for the biblical evidence of a ‘trinity’. Though many suggest that Jesus is being referenced as the One true God by using this verse, John assures us in his gospel that Jesus is the “Son of GOD”, the “Christ”, and the “Word”. Please note that Jonathon exclaimed the same phrase while speaking to King David In 1st Samuel 20:12 “And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel”. Will the Trinitarians suggest that David is a part of their triune god? Of course not, they know that this is an exclamatory phrase. For example when a person receives a phone call that contains a very bad report, the person may sigh “Oh my God”. No one for a moment would suggest the one on the other end of the line is actually God.
Further more John in his gospel states that the one who Jesus called Father was the only True God; who was greater than Christ and the giver of Christ’s power and life.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
John 14:28 …I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
John did not write his Gospel so that we would believe Christ to be the One true God, but rather that we would believe that Jesus is the Son of GOD.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Still Mr. Gerhard is without a single text that teaches that GOD is really three beings or persons in one.
(3) Philippians 2:5-7
Mr. Gerhard quotes the following verses to try to prove that Jesus is the unbegotten Almighty God. Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
IF Jesus has always been Almighty God, instead of the Son, why would he even think about being equal with God? Why would the scriptures suggest that he was in the ‘form’ or ‘likeness’ of God, if he was God? This passage clearly refutes the trinity doctrine, especially when you look at it through more accurate translations.
"though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." RSV
The Greek says literally, "deemed not being-on-a-par-with-God a-thing-to-be-plucked (hARPAGMON)."
New American Bible:
"Your attitude must be that of Christ: Though he was in the form of God, he did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at[harpagmos]."
American Translation: Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he possessed the nature of God, he did not grasp at[harpagmos] equality with God."
Weymouth: "The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had. He always had the very nature of God. Yet he did not think that by force[harpagmos] he should try to become equal with God."
The Emphatic Diaglott: "Let this disposition be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, though being in God's form, did not meditate a usurpation[harpagmos] to be like God."
Even Jesus openly denied such equality. “I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I” John 14:28 .
(4) Colossians 2:9
Mr. Gerhard tries to use Colossians 2:9 to suggest a ‘Trinity’ yet he fails in the light of Scripture. He often refers to this club as the “Godhead” though the biblical teaching concerning the “Godhead” is very different. The Godhead of the bible is the nature of Divinity, the Father is the originator of this nature (Romans 1:20, 1st Corinthians 11:3). The Father brought forth his Son who possesed his divine nature (John 3:34, Colossians 2:9, 1:19) and he fills the church (Christ’s body) with the Spirit today (Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:19). God is not a club, he is the Father (Jn 17:3).
(5). TITUS 2:13
Next Mr. Gerhard uses Titus 2:13 to try to prove that Christ is the unbegotten God. He suggests that the titles ‘great God’ and the ‘Savior’ are in reference to just one person, Christ Jesus. He concludes this because the Father will not appear at Christ’s return. What he forgets to mention is the actual Greek suggests that the ‘appearing’ is not in reference to a singular person, but rather the glory of two. “awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 RSV, YLT). This is the consistent teaching of Christ himself; the ‘glory of the Father’ (The Great God) will appear with “Christ” (Our Saviour) when he returns (See Luke 9:26, Mark 8:38, Matthew 16:27). Since Paul clearly called the Father (Theos) over 500 times in scripture, and there only exists a possibility of Paul referring to Christ as such being maybe twice, I think the weight of evidence definitely leans toward this explanation.
THE WITNESS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
(1-2) Mr. Gerhard suggests that because some of the Old Testament scriptures that refer to Jehovah was quoted in reference of Christ, then Christ must be Jehovah. IF this logic is correct then Satan must also be a part of Mr. Gerhard’s godhead.
1Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2Samuel 24:1 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
You would also have to include the nations of the Medes and Persians Mr. Gerhard, for Jehovah said,
“For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD” Isaiah 14:22 .
Yet we know that it was actually the Medo-Persians that destroyed Babylon. Jehovah works through agencies. And he (the Father) was in Christ Jesus, working miracles and reconciling the world to himself.
Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
2Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
(3). ROMANS 14:10
Here Mr. Gerhard suggests that because God is said to be the judge, and that Christ is said to be the judge, the Christ must be the one true God. Yet the bible says that GOD has given the Son all judgment, and that through the man Christ Jesus GOD will judge the world.
John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
(4) Hebrews 1:8
Mr. Gerhard suggests that this proves that Christ is the one true God. But the next verse declares that the use of the word is the secondary sense for the speaker is the GOD of the one that was called God. Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. This is taken from Psalms Forty Five where it is used to reference Solomon, the King of Israel. Would Mr. Gerhard suggest that Solomon is a part of his godhead? Things become very simple when we remember that the titles Elohim and Theos are given to God’s Vicegerents upon the earth.
JESUS SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS.
Mr. Gerhard states, “Jesus never directly asserted his divinity”. So I ask if God deemed it needful for the disciples to believe in a ‘trinity’ then why did not Jesus share that with us?
John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Mr. Gerhard tells us that Jesus was claiming equality with the Father when he said he was the ‘son of God’, because the Jews said so. If we accept this line of reasoning then Jesus was also a devil, and a sinner, and a Sabbath breaker because the Jews said he was. Just look at some of the responses Jesus gave to this accusation and we will see that Jesus did not claim to be the one true God.
John 10:34-36 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Jesus tells us he is the Son of GOD, sent by the Father. The one who sends is greater than the sent.
John 5:19-22 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
Again the scriptures informs us that Jesus claimed ‘Nothing of himself’, but all he had he received from the Father, including his very life.
And what of the term “I AM”, ego eimi in Greek. Mr. Gerhard suggests that this proves Christ’s eternal existence. I believe Christ is the eternal Son of GOD, but this statement does not prove the case. If it does then it Peter was eternal also, For in Acts 10:21 Peter states “I am”, this is without the pronoun in the greek manuscripts. It was a messenger of Jehovah that used the name in Exodus 3:2, 14. Many bible scholars actually suggest that the Hebrew “Hayah” (I AM) is more correctly translated, “I will be”. Yet if the Angel of Jehovah can speak in the name of Jehovah, I am sure that Jesus, the Son of Jehovah, the Word of Jehovah, can speak with the same authority.
HOW DID JESUS FORGIVE SINS? Jesus is the visible King, the vicegerent of God, the Law is a transcript of his constitution. To break the Law is to sin against God and his king. Jesus was given all power by his Father (John 17:2) and all judgment has been put into his hands (John 5:27). Thus because the Son held the delegated authority of Jehovah; his judgments are not alone (John 8:16), he possessed the authority to forgive sin (Matthew 9:6). Just as the angel was given the power to execute judgment upon Israel, during the Exodus (Exodus 23:21), because God’s name (authority) was in him. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins… But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men” (Matthew 9:6,8).
WHY ARE THE ANGELS CHRIST’S? Mr. Gerhard suggests that because Jesus calls the angels, HIS angels, that he must be God. Again he seems to forget delegated authority. Adventists agree that Jesus is the ‘Arch Angel’ or the Captain of the Host (Joshua 5:15). Jehovah is the Lord of Hosts, Jesus is the Captain of Hosts. It is not that hard to understand. The President is over the armed forces, the Secretary General is over the same armed forces, does this make the President and Secretary the same being? Of course not.
1Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
WHY DID JESUS RECEIVE WORSHIP IF HE WAS NOT GOD? I would ask Mr. Gerhard: Is David God? (1Chronocles 29:20) Was Moses’ father-in-law God? (Exodus 18:7) Will the resurrected saints be God? (Revelation 3:9). Those who wish to suggest that Jesus is God because he received reverence (Proskuneo) must also conclude that all the kings of Israel were really God also.
?????????? proskuneo¯pros-koo-neh'-o to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore): - {used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank-Thayer} Compare to ù?ç? sha^cha^h shaw-khaw' in Hebrew. Shaw-khaw is used repeatedly in reference to the adoration of kings and dignities. It is translated ‘worshipped’, ‘Obeisance’, ‘bowed down’ and ‘reverence’ in the old testament.
Thankfully we have the testimony of the Scripture that there is but One God the Father (John 17:3, 1st Corinthians 8:4-6), who has a divine Son named Jesus Christ. The conclusion must be stated as follows: Mr. Gerhard has failed to present the trinity from scriptures, no where has he showed us that there is one being known as GOD which exists as three hypostases. Mr. Gerhard has instead tried to prove the doctrine of Tritheism (three beings united as ‘one’ god) under the guise of the name ‘trinity’. Again this is an utter failure. Mr. Gerhard should admit as the Catholics do that the trinity doctrine is not laid down in scripture.
“Q. Do you observe other necessary truths as taught by the Church, not clearly laid down in Scripture?
“A. The doctrine of the Trinity, a doctrine the knowledge of which is certainly necessary to salvation, is not explicitly and evidently laid down in Scripture, in the Protestant sense of private interpretation.” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, August 22, 1854 - Quoted from Doctrinal Catechism)