The Trinity or Godhead?
What is the truth as its so very important.
What is the truth as its so very important.
THE GODHEAD
The Trinity or Godhead? It is the major reason many have joined the Society and greatest doctrinal reason why they remain in the organization even when they have doubts or know that other teachings are in error.
It is the doctrine they feel most confident to defend. They have been taught it is:
• Not scriptural
• Pagan
• Illogical
At this stage it would be very easy to present to a non-Witness that these three separate persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit make up the Godhead..
However none of the three Bible references to Godhead appear in the New World version translated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses:
The Trinity or Godhead? It is the major reason many have joined the Society and greatest doctrinal reason why they remain in the organization even when they have doubts or know that other teachings are in error.
It is the doctrine they feel most confident to defend. They have been taught it is:
• Not scriptural
• Pagan
• Illogical
At this stage it would be very easy to present to a non-Witness that these three separate persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit make up the Godhead..
However none of the three Bible references to Godhead appear in the New World version translated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses:
This picture is a head with three faces.
No wonder people turn away from God.
Acts 17:29 (KJV) “the Godhead”
(NWT)“the Divine Being”
Roms. 1:20 (KJV) “and Godhead”
(NWT) “and Godship”
Col. 2:9 (KJV) “the Godhead”
(NWT) “the divine quality”
Most scholars believe the main reason the New World Bible was produced by the Watchtower Society, was to reinterpret the Bible texts concerning the Trinity doctrine.
Despite the above read these texts from your Bible and say how you prefer to use the word Godhead instead of Trinity.
Because of the enormous antipathy the average Witness has towards the “Trinity” it is better to only use the word Godhead.
(NWT)“the Divine Being”
Roms. 1:20 (KJV) “and Godhead”
(NWT) “and Godship”
Col. 2:9 (KJV) “the Godhead”
(NWT) “the divine quality”
Most scholars believe the main reason the New World Bible was produced by the Watchtower Society, was to reinterpret the Bible texts concerning the Trinity doctrine.
Despite the above read these texts from your Bible and say how you prefer to use the word Godhead instead of Trinity.
Because of the enormous antipathy the average Witness has towards the “Trinity” it is better to only use the word Godhead.
ONE TRUE GOD
Step 4. In your discussion now agree with the Witness that there is only ONE TRUE GOD!:
Isa. 45:5,6,14,(NW) “I am Jehovah and there is no one else, With the exception of me there is no God. ... there is none besides me... I am Jehovah, and there is no one else... there is no (other) God.”
The Witness will soon clarify this “God” to be the Father whose name is “Jehovah”.
ONE GOD - OR TWO?
Step 5. Now introduce the problem of who is Jesus Christ?
• Is He also God (Divine)?
• Or a god (not Divine) The Bible terms Satan, angels, humans and other powerful ones as god.
The New World Bible gives the answer very clearly:
Isa. 9:6 (NW) “For there has been a child born to us... Mighty God,”
Note: It is Mighty “God” not “god”. Now we have two “Gods”!
Step 4. In your discussion now agree with the Witness that there is only ONE TRUE GOD!:
Isa. 45:5,6,14,(NW) “I am Jehovah and there is no one else, With the exception of me there is no God. ... there is none besides me... I am Jehovah, and there is no one else... there is no (other) God.”
The Witness will soon clarify this “God” to be the Father whose name is “Jehovah”.
ONE GOD - OR TWO?
Step 5. Now introduce the problem of who is Jesus Christ?
• Is He also God (Divine)?
• Or a god (not Divine) The Bible terms Satan, angels, humans and other powerful ones as god.
The New World Bible gives the answer very clearly:
Isa. 9:6 (NW) “For there has been a child born to us... Mighty God,”
Note: It is Mighty “God” not “god”. Now we have two “Gods”!
MIGHTY OR ALMIGHTY?
Step 6. The Witness will now explain that Jesus is only the Mighty God but the Father is the Almighty God!
(The definition of “almighty” is “having all power or authority”.)
Now there are two problems:
1. Two persons are God (Divine)
2. Jesus claimed to be Almighty:
Matt. 28:18 “All authority(NW) power (KJV) has been given me in heaven and on the earth. “
Rev. 1:7,8 and 22:12,13 Jesus claims to be the One who is “coming” also the “Alpha and Omega” and in
Rev. 1:8 He claims this One (Himself) is the “Almighty”!
Many Witnesses find this a real revelation. However, most initially reject the idea outright! They are overwhelmed by the thought that there could be two Beings who are “God”, and “Almighty” and yet there is still only “one true God”?
Step 6. The Witness will now explain that Jesus is only the Mighty God but the Father is the Almighty God!
(The definition of “almighty” is “having all power or authority”.)
Now there are two problems:
1. Two persons are God (Divine)
2. Jesus claimed to be Almighty:
Matt. 28:18 “All authority(NW) power (KJV) has been given me in heaven and on the earth. “
Rev. 1:7,8 and 22:12,13 Jesus claims to be the One who is “coming” also the “Alpha and Omega” and in
Rev. 1:8 He claims this One (Himself) is the “Almighty”!
Many Witnesses find this a real revelation. However, most initially reject the idea outright! They are overwhelmed by the thought that there could be two Beings who are “God”, and “Almighty” and yet there is still only “one true God”?
A TRIUNE GOD
Step 7. It is now time to introduce the great Biblical truth that:
There are three Divine persons in the Heavenly Government or Godhead who work in such close harmony, unity and love that they are presented in the Bible as one.
The Bible begins with this truth:
Gen.1:1-2. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... and the Spirit of God (God’s active force- NW) moved...”
Note: The words “active force” do not appear in this Hebrew text. The New World Bible has substituted this for “spirit”. In Judges 13:25(NW) the word is honestly translated: “spirit”.
Is it Biblical to say a triune God is introduced here? Yes, definitely:
1. The Hebrew word for God here, is elohim which is plural.
2. Jesus Christ did the work of creating. “all things came into existence through him” John 1:3 (See also Col. 1: 15-18, Heb. 1:2)
3. Gen.1:2 the Spirit was actively involved.
When it came to the creation of man the Bible states:
Gen. 1:26,27 (NW) “And God went on to say: ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness... And God proceeded to create the man in his image...”
Job 33:4(NW) “God’s own spirit made me” It also assists in creating.
Step 7. It is now time to introduce the great Biblical truth that:
There are three Divine persons in the Heavenly Government or Godhead who work in such close harmony, unity and love that they are presented in the Bible as one.
The Bible begins with this truth:
Gen.1:1-2. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... and the Spirit of God (God’s active force- NW) moved...”
Note: The words “active force” do not appear in this Hebrew text. The New World Bible has substituted this for “spirit”. In Judges 13:25(NW) the word is honestly translated: “spirit”.
Is it Biblical to say a triune God is introduced here? Yes, definitely:
1. The Hebrew word for God here, is elohim which is plural.
2. Jesus Christ did the work of creating. “all things came into existence through him” John 1:3 (See also Col. 1: 15-18, Heb. 1:2)
3. Gen.1:2 the Spirit was actively involved.
When it came to the creation of man the Bible states:
Gen. 1:26,27 (NW) “And God went on to say: ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness... And God proceeded to create the man in his image...”
Job 33:4(NW) “God’s own spirit made me” It also assists in creating.
THE BIBLICAL IDIOM OF PERFECT UNITY
Step 8. Many people especially Witnesses are confused about the above. However the answer is simple: it is just a matter of understanding the Biblical idiom of perfect unity.
God always looks on perfect unity either in man or in God as being one:
Gen.2:24 (NW) “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh”
Adam and Eve one flesh? We could understand it if it said one in spirit. Adam and Eve were two separate human beings, but the Bible presents them here as “one flesh”.
This is the Biblical idiom of perfect unity. We do not try to explain it, - we just accept it. Likewise with the Godhead! Separate Divine Beings are presented as one God. To give an example: Isa 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.”
Here the Bible presents two persons, with the name LORD or Jehovah. (In Gen 19:24 there are two Jehovah's, one on the earth calling fire down from the other in the heavens!)
However, these two speak as one person saying “I” and “me” This is God’s way of presenting to us the unique unity of the persons in the Godhead.
Step 8. Many people especially Witnesses are confused about the above. However the answer is simple: it is just a matter of understanding the Biblical idiom of perfect unity.
God always looks on perfect unity either in man or in God as being one:
Gen.2:24 (NW) “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh”
Adam and Eve one flesh? We could understand it if it said one in spirit. Adam and Eve were two separate human beings, but the Bible presents them here as “one flesh”.
This is the Biblical idiom of perfect unity. We do not try to explain it, - we just accept it. Likewise with the Godhead! Separate Divine Beings are presented as one God. To give an example: Isa 44:6 “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.”
Here the Bible presents two persons, with the name LORD or Jehovah. (In Gen 19:24 there are two Jehovah's, one on the earth calling fire down from the other in the heavens!)
However, these two speak as one person saying “I” and “me” This is God’s way of presenting to us the unique unity of the persons in the Godhead.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE PERSONS IN THE GODHEAD
Human beings are exclusive - independent of each other.
Divine beings are inclusive - not independent of one another! Thus is the perfect unity of the one true God (‘Elohim’) or Godhead.
Human beings are exclusive - independent of each other.
Divine beings are inclusive - not independent of one another! Thus is the perfect unity of the one true God (‘Elohim’) or Godhead.