Trinity or Fifteenity

Now you have a choice, do you believe Athanasius against all prophets???

In the Gospel according to John (10:30), Jesus said: "I and the Father are one”, therefore Christians believe that Jesus is the same, or "co-equal" in status with his Father. In Greek, `heis' means `one' numerically (masculine), `hen' means `one' in unity or essence (neutral). Here the word used by John is `hen' and not `heis'. The marginal notes in New American Standard Bible (NASB) reads; one - (Lit.neuter) a unity, or, one essence. If one wishes to argue that the word `hen' supports their claim for Jesus being "co-equal" in status with his Father, then one would be read the following verse in the Gospel according to John 17:22:

"And the glory which Thou hast given me, I have given to them (disciples); that they may be one, just as we are one."

If one was to believe the Father and Jesus Christ to be "one" meaning "co-equal" in status on the basis of John 10:30, then that person should also be prepared believe "them" - the disciples of Jesus, to be "co-equal" in status with the Father and Jesus ("just as we are one") in John 17:22.
I have yet to find a person that would be prepared to make the disciples (students) "co-equal" in status with the Father or Jesus. And if one consider that the number of the disciples is 12 then the trinity should be fifteenity (from 15: father, son, holy ghost, and 12 disciples).

The unity was of the authorized divine message that originated from the Father, received by Jesus and finally passed on to the disciples. Jesus admitted having accomplished the work which the Father had given him to do. (John.17:4). There is another verse in the Gospel according to John (14:28) that unequivocally refutes the claim by any one for Jesus being "co-equal" in status with his Father:

Jesus said: "I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."

It does not require great logic to observe that we have a monumental crisis. Greater does not mean equal, co-equal, or one in essence. This paradox needs an expert (not an amateur) Christian apologetic to twist language to justify how can greater is equivalent to equal.

[ debate ] [ Home ] [ Site Map ]