How is Christianity monotheistic?

Here we have two deities (God and Satan) battling it out...we have a Demigod (as Jesus is the son of God and Mary...see Hercules, Perseus, etc.), and a veritable heirarchy of other deities (demons, angels, archangels, etc.). In what way is Christianity monotheistic (and don't try that Father/Son/Holy Ghost crap, as it still doesn't address the others)?

'How is Christianity monotheistic?'

I don't know but if someone could tell me how then I will give them a cookie.

This will get you no where. I am officially giving up on trying to get people to think about the origins of their religion. People just take what the majority says as truth. They don't understand that their belief was derived from a bunch of greedy bickering old ass Romans who wanted power. I see why there is a division of religion and state. Look at how the state can perverse religion. It makes me sick

[Edited on 6-5-2003 by abstract_alao]

Who said it is?

They certainly don't consider it polytheistic...which it is. Heck, it's almost a veritable Pantheon....

the first poster is denying the concpet that does make it monothestic.



how can it be properly answered now? it cant if that one main concept is trown out. dont throw it out because you dont understand it.


thats hardly a reason.



perhaps a basic understanding of the multi dimensional aspect of God can help you out in understanding the trinity better. if you reject it.... thats resistance and that doesnt help in trying to find out the truth on your own.

In defense of the Trinity concept for the truth resistors...

"Some critics of the Trinity doctrine claim that since the word "trinity" is not found in the Bible, it isn't true. Furthermore, some assert that if God wanted us to believe in the Trinity He would have stated the doctrine clearly. First of all, it is illogical to claim that since the word is not found in the Bible, its concept is not taught there. This kind of question demonstrates a strong prejudice against the teaching by the one who asks it and restricts a person's ability to accurately examine God's word.  Instead, the person should look to God's word to see if it is taught or not. Second, there are many biblical concepts that people believe in that are not found in the Bible. For example, the word "bible" is not found in the Bible either, but we use it anyway. Likewise, the words "omniscience," which means "all knowing," "omnipotence," which means "all powerful," and "omnipresence," which means "present everywhere," are not found in the Bible either. But we use these words to describe the attributes of God.Following are other words that the Bible does not use but the concepts are mentioned.

Atheism is the teaching that there is no God. "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1)
Divinity which means divine quality or godlike character. Yet, we speak of the godlike quality of the Lord God.  See Psalm 139.

Incarnation which means the word (God) who became flesh. Yet, this is definitely taught in the Bible (John 1:1,14).
Monotheism is the teaching that there is only one God (Isaiah 43:10; 44:8).

Rapture is the teaching that the Christians who are alive when Jesus returns will be caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:16-18).
 
So, to say that the Trinity isn't true because the word isn't in the Bible is an invalid argument.  Furthermore, to say that if God wanted us to believe in the Trinity He would have clearly taught it in scripture, is also an invalid argument.  Something does not have to be clearly formulated in the Bible to be valid.  Not all things taught in the Bible are perfectly clear. Take a look at the book of Revelation. It contains many things that are cryptic that must be interpreted after examining all of the Bible.  Even then, there are disagreements as to what some things mean. Yet, we know that the truths there are true whether or not we discover them.  Nevertheless, there are scriptures that demonstrate a Trinitarian aspect.


Matt. 28:18, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,


2 Cor. 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.


Eph. 4:4-7, There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 7But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ?s gift.


Jude 20-21, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; 21keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life."

in defense continued...

"By definition the Trinity doctrine teaches that there is only one God.  Nevertheless, there are those who assert that the Trinity is really teaching three separate gods. They claim it is either impossible for God to exist in three persons and/or that the Trinity is really borrowed from pagan three-god figures.  Many add that a person is by necessity an individual being. Therefore, they conclude, that the Trinity really teaches three gods.
The problem with this criticism is that it denies the very nature of the doctrine. First of all, Trinitarianism by definition denies that there is more than one God.  It is clearly monotheistic in spite of what the critics want to claim.
     Second, there is a word used to describe a unity of three separate gods.  It is the word "triad."  A triad is not a trinity.  A triad is three separate gods -- as in Mormonism.  A Trinity is one God in three persons.  A triad is polytheistic.  A trinity is monotheistic.
     Third, there is no logical reason to deny the possibility that three persons can exist in one God.  Critics may not like it, but it is not a logical impossibility.  God is infinitely complex and we cannot understand His vastness nor simply claim He can't exist in three persons.  Instead, we should look at the Bible to see what it says about God and see if the Trinity is taught.  But, that is another subject.
     Theologians admit that the word "person" is not the perfect word to use because it carries with it the idea of individuals who are different beings.  This is what we are familiar with and this is one of the problems with using the term "person" when describing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  But this is what we must use when we see that when the Bible speaks of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each are called God, each speak, and each have a will. They exhibit attributes of personhood.  In describing what we observe, we are forced to use words that we are familiar with. "Person" is just such a word.  But it does not necessitate here that each person is an individual being.  
     And fourth, trinities are known and accepted by people as observed in nature.  By analogy we see that creation itself is Trinitarian. Time is past, present, and future. There are not three times. Each part of the whole of time is by nature time yet there are not three times but one.  Likewise, space is height, width, and depth.  Matter is solid, liquid, and gas.  The Bible says that God's invisible attributes are made known in creation

Rom. 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made."

When the critics of Trinitarianism say it really teaches three gods, they demonstrate their lack of understanding of the doctrine and they either purposefully or mistakenly confuse it with something it is not.  Trinitarianism denies and opposes the idea that there is more than one God.  It is by definition, monotheistic."

Now the question has been answered. If there is still resistance then thats your fault. Obviously I can't make you really study the concept on your own or help you reach clarity of it if certain people who deny the concept clutter your mind. You have to try and see it for what it really is yourself. Good topic though. Glad I could help (or at least try).


Jah bless!

Nope, there is no trinity in the Bible. It is a man-made concept which every Christian follows blindly.

Uh yeah sure the 2000+ year old heavy truth of the trinity concept (thats so obviously illustrated throughout the entire bible to someone who would actually study it without any prejudice and is a belief and view held by over 2 billion people) is blown to bits because of some regular muslim with his 5 second post on above top secret. who would uh thunk aye! lol

read it again and weep...

"Third, there is no logical reason to deny the possibility that three persons can exist in one God.  Critics may not like it, but it is not a logical impossibility.  God is infinitely complex and we cannot understand His vastness nor simply claim He can't exist in three persons."


you don't believe it fine. you have your right. in your view im worshiping three. well in my view you are limiting and restricting God.

either we both are wrong.... or one of us is right. who gives a sh it ... in the end I trust sinless, perfect Jesus Christ with my entire life... Jesus is my net. You trust sinful, faliable mohammed. nuff said. Why would God pusnish me for following his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON.


Jesus is Lord. rock!






[Edited on 7-5-2003 by krossfyter]

"Credo in unum Deum": I believe in one God - that's it, monotheism, end of story.
"Satan a deity"??
A very odd thread, to be sure.

Krossfyter....you are exactly correct. I agree with you. What makse Christianity monotheistic is that we worship one god. and ofcourse there is trinity in the bible. You gotta read it to know!!!!!!

As for God in three persons. Well, whether or not it is a "logical possibility" - and I'm not sure what that might mean in this context - is largely beside the point: it is not in the nature of religious faith to be constrained by logic.
But do remember that "person" here has a rather different meaning from its every day use. It is a technical theological term.
As Thomas might say in general: there is no debate here: is Christianity monotheistic -yes?
Is that not incompatible with the Trinity? "compatible" would need very careful definition - this is not, as it stands, a useful question. However, whatever we take "compatible" to mean: all things are compatible with all things in the sphere of faith: that's why it's a "mystery".

I'm sure no one wants Estragon to go on and on about this; but interested posters might search "hypostatic union" (essentially, how could one person -Christ -have both divine and human natures?) to get an introduction to Early Church and scholastic thinking on these issues.

Krossfyter, then it should be no problem for you to enlighten us with a verse from the Bible that teaches it's readers to believe in a God in 3 Persons - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a.k.a "Holy Trinity".

lmao

Anyone who "actually" studies the Bible as you said, would never believe in a Trinity. lol

www.thetruereligion.org...
www.thetruereligion.org...

Oh and, since people shouldn't believe some "regular" Muslim who posts here, we should believe a "regular" Christian who is full of rate, anger, and hatred against those who believe differently than he does.

I confess in the name of GOD Almighty.

I cannot, and will not, never, ever worship a messenger of God, nor follow a religion that is full of contradiction, that condemns human equality, enforces slavery, and degrades women.

Not in a million years.

Not if someone put my head in a vice (like in the movie Casino) and tortured me.

I only submit myself to GOD, our creator and sustainer of the Universe.

Praise GOD.

Allahu Akbar - God is Great!

Peace

PS: i'm telling you again, give up the self assertion shots

thanks for being hateful again alone.


if you are so loveable how come you havent said ONE single nice comment about me or my post or anything in respect? sure go deny it.


keep thinking you are more kind man. fine with me.

rock!

If you are so sure of yourself another one....Where do you suppose the trinity arose to be worshiped if it is not in the bible(which it is). Spontaneous Generation?

i agree. however people only like to try and explain God through logic. people like to think linear. people like to try and figure out God with logic or try and debunk him with Logic. We all must understand that it's not easy to try and fathom God through our linear logical minds. God is outside space, time... all the laws of this world/universe. Why would it be so hard for God to come down and work through our laws and speak to us on our level so that we can get a relevant perspective? Sure if God is inside space, time... all the laws of this world/universe we would have room for the muslim god without incarnation to be possible. However we all know that through enstien and newton that the entity or being/creator or what not had to be outside our known laws to create the laws... to create this universe. Thats using a circular perspective/basis for trying to understand the basis of God. The only religion that teaches/shows/works from the basis that God is outside these laws.. above space and time is Christianity. Every other relgion has thier god/s subject to or dependent on space and time.


booyah!


just my two cents. i know the resistor will attempt to offer his ad hominem  
again.