Is Christianity really monotheistic?

[imronron]

Just as Jesus did not stand up inthe manger and announce his divinity, God did not stand on Mt. Sinai and give a theological exposition of the three distinct Persons who exist consubstantially and eternally. In the Old Testament God needed to establish monotheism for the Jews to make them stand apart from all the polytheistic religions that abounded. Monotheism was almost unheard of, and if Yahweh had tried announcing that he is three Persons the people of the day might have misunderstood it as Tritheism, which is a heresy. Today, we have enough trouble trying to get people to believe in the one true God, let alone many. Thus the New Testament was a better time for God to have revealed his true nature, now that the danger of a polytheistic misunderstanding had been eliminated.
The Trinity is one of the most difficult realities to comprehend but it might be a helpful start to recognize the distinction between a “being” and a “person.” God is one Being (the one and only divine Being). This divine Being exists as three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is unusual to us because each human being is only one person and it might seem that every being has to be one person: one being = one person. But that’s simply not always the case. For example, a dog is a being but is not a person. A tree is a being but is not a person. In these cases, one being = zero persons. On the other hand, an angel is a being and is a person. In their case, angelic beings are similar to human beings: one being = one person. Once you recognize that not every being is always exactly one person, it might be easier to grasp God’s unique reality, the Trinity: one Being = three Persons.

[shrewsbury]

Thus the New Testament was a better time for God to have revealed his true nature

just curious in what role you think God had in the New Testament?

[centrehice]

Just as Jesus did not stand up inthe manger and announce his divinity, God did not stand on Mt. Sinai and give a theological exposition of the three distinct Persons who exist consubstantially and eternally. In the Old Testament God needed to establish monotheism for the Jews to make them stand apart from all the polytheistic religions that abounded. Monotheism was almost unheard of, and if Yahweh had tried announcing that he is three Persons the people of the day might have misunderstood it as Tritheism, which is a heresy. Today, we have enough trouble trying to get people to believe in the one true God, let alone many. Thus the New Testament was a better time for God to have revealed his true nature, now that the danger of a polytheistic misunderstanding had been eliminated.
The Trinity is one of the most difficult realities to comprehend but it might be a helpful start to recognize the distinction between a “being” and a “person.” God is one Being (the one and only divine Being). This divine Being exists as three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is unusual to us because each human being is only one person and it might seem that every being has to be one person: one being = one person. But that’s simply not always the case. For example, a dog is a being but is not a person. A tree is a being but is not a person. In these cases, one being = zero persons. On the other hand, an angel is a being and is a person. In their case, angelic beings are similar to human beings: one being = one person. Once you recognize that not every being is always exactly one person, it might be easier to grasp God’s unique reality, the Trinity: one Being = three Persons.

Where did you find this Codswallop?

[Wickabee]

Wait, the trinity is a marketing ploy?
That sounds reasonable.

[habsheaven]

Just as Jesus did not stand up inthe manger and announce his divinity, God did not stand on Mt. Sinai and give a theological exposition of the three distinct Persons who exist consubstantially and eternally. In the Old Testament God needed to establish monotheism for the Jews to make them stand apart from all the polytheistic religions that abounded. Monotheism was almost unheard of, and if Yahweh had tried announcing that he is three Persons the people of the day might have misunderstood it as Tritheism, which is a heresy. Today, we have enough trouble trying to get people to believe in the one true God, let alone many. Thus the New Testament was a better time for God to have revealed his true nature, now that the danger of a polytheistic misunderstanding had been eliminated.
The Trinity is one of the most difficult realities to comprehend but it might be a helpful start to recognize the distinction between a “being” and a “person.” God is one Being (the one and only divine Being). This divine Being exists as three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This is unusual to us because each human being is only one person and it might seem that every being has to be one person: one being = one person. But that’s simply not always the case. For example, a dog is a being but is not a person. A tree is a being but is not a person. In these cases, one being = zero persons. On the other hand, an angel is a being and is a person. In their case, angelic beings are similar to human beings: one being = one person. Once you recognize that not every being is always exactly one person, it might be easier to grasp God’s unique reality, the Trinity: one Being = three Persons.

That may have something to do with the fact that it isn't reality. I would think that a harder "reality" would be explaining global migration in the Bible.

[imronron]

That may have something to do with the fact that it isn't reality. I would think that a harder "reality" would be explaining global migration in the Bible.

The inspired author's intent in the Bible is not to give you a history, science or geography lesson, that's what God gave you a brain for. It was written to show mans relationship to God and how that relationship went from severed to whole ultimately through Jesus the Christ. If you want to learn about "global migration" the Bible is not the place to look.

[imronron]

just curious in what role you think God had in the New Testament?

Not sure I understand the question correctly. Are you asking if I believe if it was written under his inspiration?

[imronron]

Where did you find this Codswallop?

When I looked into the eyes of my newborn grandson.

[imronron]

Wait, the trinity is a marketing ploy?
That sounds reasonable.

I like it.

[Theodor Madison]

Like to say that there are 3 manifestations of God, There is only one God. There can only be one creator.