Why People Believe in the Trinity

In 1988 I believed and wrote the following:

There are four primary points that moti­vate in­dividuals to accept and believe the doctrine of the Trin­ity. 1. A lack of understand­ing resulting in the misinterpreta­tion of the “us” verses. 2. A total misappli­cation of the word Elohim when used to re­fer to God Almighty. 3. A distor­tion of the word echad when translated “one.” 4. An inability to un­derstand how Je­sus can be divine and yet God still be one solitary God. 

If a fifth point were to be added, it would be the mindset that God is infinite, man is finite; therefore, man cannot know or understand God’s nature. 

To consider the points above to be the basis of Trinitarian thought now seems simplistic, if not naïve for such an intricate subject but those first five concepts never would have been cause for discussion if Jesus had never been born. When Jesus declared himself to be one with the Father, “I am,” and “the Christ, the Son of God,” he created a numerical problem for theologians at that time. Leaders of the early church could not explain how Je­sus could be divine and yet God still be one solitary God. How can God be one, if the Father and the Son are God, not to mention the Holy Spirit being God? Instead of searching the scriptures to understand the relationship between God the Father and Jesus his only begotten son, they formulated a doctrine that would fit their understanding. And that is why people believe in the Trinity.

The misunderstanding and distortion of the Word of God could have been avoided if only the leaders of the day looked at the whole Bible without preconceived notions. Jesus was crystal clear that he was not divine in and of himself when he told his disciples in John 14:10, “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

No practicing Jew would consider the first three concepts written in 1988 and conclude a plurality exists within God’s nature. When Israel rejected Jesus as the Christ/Messiah they were hence disregarded theologically by the Orthodox Christian Church. The Jews were not alone in their distress over the concept of plurality in the godhead. Tertullian (150?-220 or 240 A.D.), one of the Church Fathers admitted in writing that the majority of believers reject the Trinitarian teaching and then proceeded to call them “simple” (ignorant). When the majority is overruled by the ruling few, something has gone awry. When Biblical and intellectual discussion failed to resolve the differences between them, a new force was introduced to maintain control, socio-economic, intellectual, and political pressure: the idea that God is infinite and man is finite; therefore, man cannot know or understand God’s nature, later escalating to excommunication, exile, physical torture and finally execution. This stance breeds condemnation, guilt and fear. When someone seeking to know God better is perceived as sinful because they won’t accept the favored opinion of the elite and powerful, there is something wrong.  The Bible says “…seek the lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). David said, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9, NKJV).  Jesus encouraged us when he said: “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3, NKJV). Conclusions promoted by obscure Bible students did not then and will not today change the minds of those elite and powerful or influence the culture of society even though the masses may understand, accept, and promote truth.

But we need to understand that our differences do not originate with other believers. Ephesians 6:12 tells us: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (NIV).  My struggle, our struggle, is not against the early church fathers, the Orthodox Christian Church, the pastor or board of deacons in a Trinitarian church, the Trinitarian on the street doing their best to walk with God, or the elite and powerful. Our struggle is against the great deceiver, the Father of Lies, the Prince of Darkness and his minions. Understanding that our enemy is not our fellow man puts the whole issue into a different perspective. Believers either have not been taught at all on this topic, have not been taught properly, or have been canceled for an opposing opinion; that is why people believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and also why those who don’t believe in the Trinity, do so frequently in the sounds of silence.[1]

[1] View lyrics of song by same name published by Simon and Garfunkel released March 10, 1964.