Kingdom Ready Blog

How the Most Trinitarian Verse in the Bible
Proves that the Bible Does Not Support the Trinity

The most Trinitarian verse in the Bible is found in 1 John 5.7 where the text reads “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.”¹ Recently in conversation with an acquaintance, I was challenged to accept the doctrine of the Trinity on the basis of this text. However, this scripture is fraught with difficulties and its history is long and dubious, involving both Greek and Latin manuscripts. Before turning to examine the Latin and Greek histories, I will begin by comparing two of the best known and most influential translations in English and German to more recent ones so as to demonstrate the exact difference between them. The words in bold below are known as the Comma Johanneum (henceforth Comma).

On May 1, 2011 pastor Steve Taylor of Lakeshore Bible Church in Tempe, Arizona, interviewed retired professional golfer and Christian author Kermit Zarley about his journey of faith. Zarley talks about how he came to question the doctrine of the Trinity because he read the text in which Jesus said that he did not know the timing of his second coming (Mark 13.32). This Scripture grabbed hold of Zarley and didn’t let him go. He knew the Jesus was God, and as such, knew everything that can be known. Was Jesus lying when he said he didn’t know? Did he lack omniscience? How could God not know something? Was Jesus schizophrenic? Such questions drove Zarley to re-examine his theology, by diligently studying both Scripture and Church History to unravel the truth about God and Jesus. After decades of research he has published his book, The Restitution of Jesus Christ, which teaches that the Father alone is God and Jesus is the human Messiah, the virgin-born Son of God.

Last October, I had the pleasure of attending Ken Westby’s One God Seminar. During that seminar I spoke on “Five Major Problems with the Trinity.” Click here to listen to the presentation. The talk was 36 minutes long and the remainder of the time addressed questions from the audience. Click here to download the notes. The rest of the 2010 conference is mostly available here (I’m still waiting on a couple of presentations).

By popular demand (2 requests!), here is the article from my website.

Introduction

One of the most hotly contested passages of Scripture is so well known that it has a name – the Comma Johanneum, or Johannine Comma. In this case, “comma” refers not to punctuation but to a clause. In the KJV, I John 5:7-8 reads as follows:

I John 5:
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Ever since last year’s Theology Conference when discussing the Trinity with some of my fellow attendees and how people can become enraged about defending it, I have thought about how the movie “The Matrix” tied into biblical thought.  At the time my thoughts were along the lines of how people who became so enraged regarding the trinity, that they were like the people of the Matrix that were taken over by the “Agents” who could possess/become anyone in order to defend the deception of The Matrix.  It is an intriguing idea to me and after doing some web searches I’ve found some others who also have thought along the same lines.  I thought I would share one of them here in this post and perhaps the others later on.

This was written by Peter Roberts for the web site “vision.org”  The site describes itself as one that “examines current issues” but not like a typical news site.  Instead they say they seek “to evaluate the news of the day in a more in-depth way than most issue-oriented publications. Our mission is to give our readers a deeper understanding of the causes of problems with which humanity wrestles.” And better still they say the following “Like every other information or news source, we do have a certain perspective. Vision.org brings insight into the complex social, moral and philosophical questions that confront society by examining them through the wisdom of an ancient source, the Bible. We believe that the principles contained in that book are still relevant and can be applied to help solve the global, national and personal conflicts that we face. But we do not proselytize, nor do we seek to convert anyone to any denomination or religious belief. Our only goal is to reestablish the Bible as a credible voice in the discussion of ideas.”

There’s a new book out now, that I thought I would highlight today and encourage you to order! The title is Glory to God in the Highest with the subtitle, Removing the Influence of Socrates, Plato, Philo and Greek Philosophy from Christian Doctrine by Joel W. Hemphill. You can order it online by going to the website: http://www.21stcr.org/ and clicking on the tab for the book. The cost is very reasonable and ships very fast!

Here are just a few quotes to whet your appetite:

“Until we love people more than we love being right, we’ll continue to be part of the problem.” Jon Cheatwood.

Defending the Faith.

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

20. Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Son.

The title and position of being a son implies the title and position of a father. A father and son are never the same person or the same being; they are not one in essence and being. Jesus Christ is never identified in Scripture as God, nor is he ever called “God the Son.” He is always called the “Son of God.” When Peter was asked who he believed Jesus to be, he replied,

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

19. Jesus was in all ways made like his brethren.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14-18)

by Chuck LaMattina of Grace Ministry International.

18. Christ died. The Bible tells us that God is immortal, He cannot die.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

“who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16)

Jesus Christ truly died as a result of his crucifixion.