Is the messiah the father himself in flesh?

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Jane_Doe22

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Yes, I agree with everything that you said in the above post, absolutely. And, just to explain, I'm against any deification of Jesus or the Holy Spirit (as an autonomous person). So, I categorically reject the Athanasian Creed also, and all the Creeds formulated at the Ecumenical Councils.
But, previously, you stated that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each were God, and each were individual persons, and yet, that there is only one God. How can this logically be, without subscribing to polytheism?
In polytheism: I can choose to serve Zeus and go against Poseidon.
I can't choose to serve the Son and go against the Father - such doesn't even make sense, they are one.

In polytheism: I can choose to honor Hera but not Hermes.
I can't choose to serve honor the Son and not the Father - such doesn't even make sense, they are one.

In polytheism: Athena can tell me to do one thing and Hades can tell me a completely different thing.
The Son and the Father are going to tell me the exact same thing to do, they are one.

Etc. They are just one through unity (purpose, will, goodness, glory, etc) rather than some Creed-described substance.
 
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DNB

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In polytheism: I can choose to serve Zeus and go against Poseidon.
I can't choose to serve the Son and go against the Father - such doesn't even make sense, they are one.

In polytheism: I can choose to honor Hera but not Hermes.
I can't choose to serve honor the Son and not the Father - such doesn't even make sense, they are one.

In polytheism: Athena can tell me to do one thing and Hades can tell me a completely different thing.
The Son and the Father are going to tell me the exact same thing to do, they are one.

Etc. They are just one through unity (purpose, will, goodness, glory, etc) rather than some Creed-described substance.
So, there are three gods, but united in purpose. As, there are many Christians, united in will and purpose?
 

Jane_Doe22

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So, there are three gods, but united in purpose.
If we're going with the definitons wherein little-g god = a divine person,
And big-G God = the way, the light, the truth, etc.
Then yes: 3 little-g gods and 1 big G God.
As, there are many Christians, united in will and purpose?
Right now, even the most diligent Christian is no where near complete sanctification and perfection. That's a marvelous work and wonder that takes a lifetime+.

But after that entire sanctification is done: a person shall indeed embody God's love/will/goodness/etc, being an utterly pure and clean joint-heir with Christ. Yes indeed one with Him, as Christ prayed in the garden. Bringing the grand total up to: 1 God.
 

DNB

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no polytheism is not trinitarianism(monotheism),nice try though
...well, actually, I was asking JD of her beliefs. Unfortunately, I am fully aware of trinitarian beliefs, which is tritheism, and thus, polytheism. Nice try, though
 

DNB

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If we're going with the definitons wherein little-g god = a divine person,
And big-G God = the way, the light, the truth, etc.
Then yes: 3 little-g gods and 1 big G God.

Right now, even the most diligent Christian is no where near complete sanctification and perfection. That's a marvelous work and wonder that takes a lifetime+.

But after that entire sanctification is done: a person shall indeed embody God's love/will/goodness/etc, being an utterly pure and clean joint-heir with Christ. Yes indeed one with Him, as Christ prayed in the garden. Bringing the grand total up to: 1 God.
Thank you very much JD, i just wanted clarification on that. Yes, of course, us Christians are a motley crew, and there is much work ahead of us to fulfill the two great commandments, Love God with all thyne heart, and thy neighbour as thyself' until we become one.
I must admit, I still find incongruities with what you stated, the existence of little gods (divine deity), and big God (divine deity), and yet only one God. Of course, I would level the same contention against trinitarianism - contradiction and implausibility.
And thus, I remain one who rejects any deification of any other being, other than God the Father - Creator of all things seen and unseen, and sustainer of the universe.
Thanks again JD, I appreciate the explanation!
 

ChristisGod

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...well, actually, I was asking JD of her beliefs. Unfortunately, I am fully aware of trinitarian beliefs, which is tritheism, and thus, polytheism. Nice try, though
No its not and every single reliable source will inform you there are 3 major MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS.

1- Judaism
2- Islam
3- Christianity- The Trinity

BYW- Christians by default are TRINITARIANS. Non trinitarians are not " Christians" no matter what they think or say otherwise.

To say a non trinitarian is a "christian" is an OXYMORON.

hope this helps !!!
 
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Jane_Doe22

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...well, actually, I was asking JD of her beliefs. Unfortunately, I am fully aware of trinitarian beliefs, which is tritheism, and thus, polytheism. Nice try, though
FWIW, even while I disagree with the Athanasian view of God, I totally acknowledge the as being monotheistic. Like my view it's not super-simple monotheism like Islam, but is indeed monotheism still.
Thank you very much JD, i just wanted clarification on that. Yes, of course, us Christians are a motley crew, and there is much work ahead of us to fulfill the two great commandments, Love God with all thyne heart, and thy neighbour as thyself' until we become one.
:)
I must admit, I still find incongruities with what you stated, the existence of little gods (divine deity), and big God (divine deity), and yet only one God. Of course, I would level the same contention against trinitarianism - contradiction and implausibility.
And thus, I remain one who rejects any deification of any other being, other than God the Father - Creator of all things seen and unseen, and sustainer of the universe.
Thanks again JD, I appreciate the explanation!
The Father never quits being a person's Father. Him performing the miracle of taking a sinful wretch and transforming them into a completely perfected joint-heir with Christ doesn't cause that relationship to stop. The Father will always be each person's Father.
 

Jane_Doe22

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No its not and every single reliable source will inform you there are 3 major MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS.

1- Judaism
2- Islam
3- Christianity- The Trinity

BYW- Christians by default are TRINITARIANS. Non trinitarians are not " Christians" no matter what they think or say otherwise.

To say a non trinitarian is a "christian" is an OXYMORON.

hope this helps !!!
I do passionately disagree with you here.

And remember: why theology is super super important, it's not what saves a person (that's Christ).
 

justbyfaith

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...well, actually, I was asking JD of her beliefs. Unfortunately, I am fully aware of trinitarian beliefs, which is tritheism, and thus, polytheism. Nice try, though

No, the true Trinity is not tritheism and neither is it polytheism.

(see posts #1-#6 of the following: )

True Trinity.
 

justbyfaith

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rather than some Creed-described substance.
That substance is simply related in that God is a Spirit (John 4:24, Ephesians 4:4) and that Jesus is God in the flesh (1 John 4:1-3, 2 John 1:7).

Think about what this means in light of the scriptures given.

That Jesus is God means He is a Spirit also; but there is one Spirit; and therefore Jesus is the same Spirit as the Father.
 
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DNB

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No its not and every single reliable source will inform you there are 3 major MONOTHEISTIC RELIGIONS.

1- Judaism
2- Islam
3- Christianity- The Trinity

BYW- Christians by default are TRINITARIANS. Non trinitarians are not " Christians" no matter what they think or say otherwise.

To say a non trinitarian is a "christian" is an OXYMORON.

hope this helps !!!
So sorry Christophany, again, it is the other way around. Trinitarianism is polytheism, no matter how one attempts to articulate it as monotheism. I understand that encyclopedias and general knowledge books, or even religious literature, will define Christianity as monotheistic, which it is, but, as any other religion, there are several branches. Christianity consists of modalists, trinitarians, unitarians, LDS type gods, or Jehovah Witness type gods, and probably more. Thus, monotheism is a correct appellation for Christianity, but they will either misconstrue or mis-define what the definition actually is, by including blatant polytheists within the category.

Therefore, it is only those that do not deify any other being but the Father, are the true monotheists, all others are polytheists.
 

DNB

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FWIW, even while I disagree with the Athanasian view of God, I totally acknowledge the as being monotheistic. Like my view it's not super-simple monotheism like Islam, but is indeed monotheism still.

:)

The Father never quits being a person's Father. Him performing the miracle of taking a sinful wretch and transforming them into a completely perfected joint-heir with Christ doesn't cause that relationship to stop. The Father will always be each person's Father.
Yes, but deifying Christ, or personalizing the Holy Spirit and deifying it also, either one, to me, has entered the realm of polytheism.
I'm sorry JD, I have not heard you, as of yet, rationalize correctly how either LDS, or trinitarianism, can qualify as monotheistic? You did admit that it's not as simple or straight forward as either Judaism or Islam, but I don't believe that you resolved the conflict, or explained the sophistication in a logical manner? i.e. little gods and big Gods still add up to many gods. Jesus as God, the Father as God, Holy Spirit as God, equals tritheism by any definition whatsoever. Personhood does not resolve the controversy, but only underscores the individuality, and thus, the autonomy.
I'm not being difficult, just extremely reasonable and practical.
 

DNB

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No, the true Trinity is not tritheism and neither is it polytheism.

(see posts #1-#6 of the following: )

True Trinity.
JBF, I am never, ever going to read your post/blog. I stopped reading fiction many years ago. Besides, by our engagements on this forum, I can already anticipate what the contents will be like, and what you will be endorsing - like I said, polytheism.
 

Jane_Doe22

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Yes, but deifying Christ, or personalizing the Holy Spirit and deifying it also, either one, to me, has entered the realm of polytheism.
I'm sorry JD, I have not heard you, as of yet, rationalize correctly how either LDS, or trinitarianism, can qualify as monotheistic? You did admit that it's not as simple or straight forward as either Judaism or Islam, but I don't believe that you resolved the conflict, or explained the sophistication in a logical manner? i.e. little gods and big Gods still add up to many gods. Jesus as God, the Father as God, Holy Spirit as God, equals tritheism by any definition whatsoever. Personhood does not resolve the controversy, but only underscores the individuality, and thus, the autonomy.
I'm not being difficult, just extremely reasonable and practical.
DNB,am I to understand you do not believe Christ is God?
(Trying to make sure I’m understanding you correctly)