Expert: LEBoyd - 1/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: Is the Godhead and the trinity mean the same thing?

ANSWER: Ryan,

While neither of the terms "Godhead" or "Trinity" appear in the Bible, they both are used to refer to the same thing - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  In both Hebrew and Greek the word "God" is translated from our English word "Diety".  Based on the context, you will sometimes see it translated with lower-case "g" and sometimes just "diety".

Considering all the text of the Old and New Testaments, all three beings (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) exist and are referred to as "diety" at one time or another.

Some (including the Jews) believe this is blasphemy, because (as Deut. 6 says) there is only "one God".  If you consider that the word "God" here is "deity" (which it is), then the multiple beings is viable.

A great analogy I was heard was in regards to H20.  H20 as I'm sure you know is the molecular structure of three things - water, ice and steam.  It's the same molecules, just different states.  The "Godhead" is the same - one thing (diety) in three things (Father, Son and Spirit).

Hope this helps.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: But haven't the term " Godhead" mention in some of Paul letters in the New Testament?

Thank

ANSWER: Ryan,

I noticed that you rated my knowledge level at 6.  I'm curious as to why this is the case.  I answered your question knowing 100% that the answer is correct.  Do you mind explaining to me why you rated the answer as a 6?

Thanks,

--------------------------------
Actually, it is not.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: To answer your question about why I gave you a 6 is because I know the term "Godhead" is mention in Paul letters but I can't find where. So I did some researched and here what I found.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse - Romans 1:20(KJV)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.- Colossians 2:9 (KJV)

Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. -Acts 17:29(KJV)

And since you said that Godhead is never found in the bible, that why I gave you a six.

God bless


Answer
Ryan,

Yes, the KJV and NKJV use "Godhead" in Romans and Colossians, but not in Acts.  But even the NKJV uses "divine nature" for Acts.  Back when the KJV was translated, "Godhead" wasn't a noun that referenced what we today call the "Godhead".  It was a noun that meant "divine nature".  Today, the NASV, NIV, RSV, the Living Bible and NKJV use "divine nature" because the passages are refering to what we would the nature or deity of God, not the Trinity or "Godhead".

Today, the terms "Trinity" and "Godhead" are interchangeable, to refer to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and are not referenced in the New Testament with a single term.  When they are referenced, they are always mentioned individually.