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Catholics/"holy trinity" or pagan abomination and polytheism?
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Hello. It is my understanding that most modern churches of Christendom teach that Jesus Christ (Yeshua) and God almighty (Yahweh, Jehovah) are one-and-the-same. Is this correct? If so, on what basis? I have 7 Bible translations including the King James Version and the NIV. While some do seem to deliberately blur the line between the two at a few places, I find far more places that say there is strictly ONE God and that Jesus is his only begotten and created SON. My understanding is the trinity doctrine has it's roots in ancient pagan sun Gods, and became "Christianized" by Constantine at the counsel of Nicea. If there are three Gods then how is that not polytheism? And if there is simply one God and Jesus is it, how could he pray to God without being schizophrenic? Some scriptures to consider include:
2 Samual 7:14
Proverbs 8: 22-31
Psalm 110:1
Matthew 3:16, 17
Matthew 20:23
Mark 10:18
Mark 13:32
Mark 15:34
John 6:38
John 7:16
John 8:17, 18
John 14:28
John 17:3
John 20:17
Luke 4:18
Luke 22:42
Luke 23:46
Acts 5:31
Acts 7:55
1 Peter 3:22
Hebrews 5:8
Hebrews 9:24
Hebrews 12:2
Revelation 3:14
1 Corinthians 8:6
1 Corinthians 11:3
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Ephesians 1:17-21
Colossians 1:15
Philippians 2:6
John 20:17
Revelation 3:12
Now I have a lot of Pentecostals, Catholics, Presbyterians, etc tell me I am sinning against the holy spirit by daring to call Jesus the SON of God rather than "God the son" (even though the later term is not found anywhere in the Bible, neither is "trinity"). They tell me inorder to be saved from a fiery torture chamber called "hell" I must worship the "holy trinity".... But am I missing something? How am I wrong in believing that Jesus is the SON of God and is subjected to him like those verses say? Also, it seems to me that trinitarians differ in how they even define the trinity. Catholics say it's somehow "3 in 1" God as if God is a simamese 3 headed God, or a God with a multiple personality disorder. Mormons say they are 3 totally separate Gods which would be polytheism, and Pentecostals say Jesus is just plain God period and was apparently talking to himself when he prayed.
Hi, Joshua:
Good questions.
I call the doctrine of the Most Holy Trinity: God Who reveals Himself to us in this way, and is taught by the historic Church that Jesus Christ founded.
You ought to check out the site www.catholic.com where there are links and resources that will indulge whatever depth you wish to inquire into this Doctrinal Mystery of Historic Christianity.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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