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NASB | James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror--they have seen His wrath]! [Deut 6:4; 11:13-21; Mark 12:29] |
Bible Question:
Is God essentially "one" -- or is He essentially "three"? The KJV has: "You believe there is one God..." Apparently, we all agree on this point--at least superficially. But do we agree that "God is ONE"? A literal rendering of Deut. 6:4--"Hear O Israel, The LORD our God, the LORD He is ONE." At the risk of stirring up a veritable hornet's nest, I would like to initiate a reasonable and responsible discussion concerning the nature of Deity. I have read some of the previous threads on this forum where "Oneness" theology was disparaged as heretical. I haven't seen where some of my concerns on this issue have been discussed. I realize that my view on this topic will be in the minority, but I would nonetheless ask for a fair hearing. I am convinced that there are many level-headed, fair-minded, rational thinkers on this forum. I would plead that as long as I am consistent with the teachings and actions of the Apostles in the early church (as recorded in the New Testament) then it is unfair to label my beliefs as heterodoxy. I have personally discussed this topic with many trinitarians over the past 20 or more years, and invariably it seems like the division between us is largely one of semantics. I do not see a Biblical basis for the doctrine of the "trinity" -- one must appeal to historical documents to find the term. I do not see in the Bible a reason to believe there are three persons in the Godhead. Instead, I would use the term "personality" (personna). I have studied this topic for many years, and am familiar with all the strife and debate and acrimony that this kind of discussion can gender. It is my desire to studiously avoid any statements or implications that would cast aspersions on any other member of this forum, regardless of their view in regard to this matter. In my opinion, the only basis for our doctrine is the Bible. All other writings, such as creeds and dogma, are only viable insofar as they accurately reflect Holy Writ. I believe the Bible gives adequate definition of the nature of the Deity. In my humble opinion, much damage has been done to the credibility of trinitarian doctrines because of the efforts of some of the early church "fathers" to restate what was obvious enough to begin with. Let the Bible speak for itself. When adherence to a clearly stated principle in the Bible causes conflict with a dogma or creed written by men, why is the label of heresy given to those who follow the Bible? Is God in essence "ONE"? Or is He in essence "THREE"? What difference does it make to us if we believe one way or the other? (I do not intend for this discussion to become tangled up with a debate concerning the "unitarian" doctrine--or any other teaching that denies the absolute deity of Jesus Christ.) Thank you in advance for your kind and patient consideration of this topic. Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |
Bible Answer: Hi 10ECPreacher, You will find on this forum that different people capitalize words in order to emphasize them, but it actually confuses what is being said. Your capitalization of ONE here is a case in point. Is it for emphasis only? When all the letters are capitalized it could mean One; or it could mean it was only for emphasis and then it could also mean one. Thus your question of "But do we agree that 'God is ONE"? is unanswerable with precision. In the same way your quote of the Deut 6:4 verse is not precise. I, too have looked at this topic for many years and actually the initial imptetus for my study of the Trinity is this book of Deuteronomy and "the Lord is one." You will find many verses mentioned in the forum for the basis of the Trinity if you look for them even if you do not find the word "trinity". Let's look at some Scriptures then. First, your key verse, James 2:19. NASB "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." NKJ, James 2:19, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble." I think that the important thing here to notice is that James says, "You do well." In other words, indeed God is one. Indeed, there is one God. I believe that both the NASB and NKJ were correct also in their rendering of Deut 6:4 as far as God being one. NKJ, Deut 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!" [Or, The Lord is our God, the Lord alone, i.e.the only one] NASB, Deut 6:4, "Hear, O Israel! The (Lord) is our God, the Lord is one." Parenthesis mine for comparison and to show Oneness. Deut 6:13, "You shall fear only the (Lord) your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God;..." Matthew 22:36,37, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the (Lord) your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." Mark 12:28, "And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the (Lord) your God with all your heart, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." And the scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher, You have truly stated that He is One; and there is no *One else besides Him; and to love (Him) ...is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Luke 10:25b, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" And he answered and said, "You shall love the (Lord) your God...and your neighbor as yourself." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." These verse show me the Oneness of God, the Oneness of the Lord, and the Oneness of the Spirit. And I believe that they are all one. Also, They are all One. From the heart, Ray |