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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73200
04/10/06 04:04 PM
04/10/06 04:04 PM
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5500+ Member
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,154
Brazil
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Dr. Glenn,
There is a separate fundamental belief for each Person of the Godhead. It is correct to say that you individually are one flesh, and that your spouse individually is one flesh, and it is correct to say that you both, as a couple, are one flesh. In the same way, each of the members of the Godhead is called God, individually, and the three Persons are, as a trio, also called God. What determines if the word God applies to one of the individual Members or to the trio is the context.
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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73201
04/11/06 07:41 AM
04/11/06 07:41 AM
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Daryl, I mean that we understand there to be one God, not three. There are three persons in the one God. If these were three independent beings, then we would have three Gods--tritheism. We are monotheists and believe in one God.
Seventh-day Adventism is captive to God's revelation. Whatever is revealed in inspired writings we must accept. All the pieces we might like to have are not always given. For example, for thousands of years, Christian apologists would have preferred to have more material in Genesis chapter one. But instead of trying to prove God's existence, the Bible simply begins with the assertion of His existence. The infinite God does not bow before His creatures and beg them to believe His proofs of His existence; He states His existence and moves on with His agenda.
We accept the basic teaching of monotheism, that there is one God, and we accept the basic teaching that there are three persons in this one God. Why? Because these are indisputable Bible facts. Captive to Scripture, we must accept its teachings. This makes us Seventh-day Adventists. This is our fundamental method. We hold these teachings on the basis of the inspired writings.
Hebrews 12:14 —I want to see God— —God wants to see me— Revelation 14:12
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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73202
04/11/06 03:01 PM
04/11/06 03:01 PM
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Active Member 2012
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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Quote:
If these were three independent beings, then we would have three Gods--tritheism.
Is there some inspired statement to this effect? Or is this just your reasoning? I'm not being contentious here (it's very difficult in written conversation to make clear one's intention, without non-vocal clues). I know it will come accross that way, but it's not intended. I'm wanting to know, because I'm not sure I agree, but if you're aware of some inspired statement saying as much, that would certainly have an impact.
It seems to me that the Father and the Son, to pick just two persons, are two independent beings. I don't see how we could assert otherwise. It's obvious Christ was an independent being while here on earth. Otherwise He couldn't have sinned. Did His becoming mortal cause Him to become an independent being? This seems difficult to me to assert. I'm curious as to your thinking in your remark.
Quote:
The infinite God does not bow before His creatures and beg them to believe His proofs of His existence; He states His existence and moves on with His agenda.
This reminds me of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. God's agends is our agenda, or, more accurately, God's agenda is us. God is agape. His agenda is the welfare of His creatures. The whole Great Controversy is over whether or not God is selfish and arbitrary. He's not.
If God withheld any information from us, it is as you said either because we couldn't understand it or it was not essential. God did not withhold it on a whim. I'm not saying you are asserting this, as you're not, but I found this particular phrase to be a bit arbitrary sounding. Hope you don't mind my commenting on this.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love.
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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73203
04/11/06 06:42 PM
04/11/06 06:42 PM
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Sounds like we need to define independent. If the word independent means each going their own way contrary to the will of the other, than I agree with Pastor Larry.
I have been looking at the Godhead in the way I look at the truly Christian family. I see the truly Christian family as husband and wife, two separate beings (persons), as consisting of one family. I see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three separate beings (persons), as consisting of one God. As far as the word independent goes in this sense, I see the husband and the wife dependent on each other in order to truly exist as a one family. In the same sense, I see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit also dependent on each other in order to truly exist as the one God.
Am I making any sense here?
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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73204
04/12/06 06:12 AM
04/12/06 06:12 AM
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Well, I did not mean that God was arbitrary. I meant that sometimes in His divine wisdom he offers explanation, and other times, the explanation is either not offered or will be offered later, but in the meantime He addresses that which He knows we need more than fine print we would prefer to have.
As far as independent goes, I do believe they have independent persons, but not that their--I will use this word for the lack of an immediate alternative--essence--if God is one in that respect, cannot mean total independence at that level. In some respect then, I understand that al lthree persons of the Godhead are connected together as one essence. The incarnation of Christ may have worked differently in some way. I am not here to throw a lot of assertions concerning these details, only offering a quick response. LK
Hebrews 12:14 —I want to see God— —God wants to see me— Revelation 14:12
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Re: Lesson Study #3 - Jesus and the HOLY SPIRIT
#73209
04/13/06 05:40 AM
04/13/06 05:40 AM
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GRW, Of course, you accepted the Seventh-day Adventist position as being biblically correct before you were baptized. What then has led you to change your views since that time, or do I misread you? Also, do I correctly understand that you are presently a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Hebrews 12:14 —I want to see God— —God wants to see me— Revelation 14:12
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