Tertullian invented the Trinity?
Tertullian was a strong proponent of the false doctrine of the Trinity (as well as eternal suffering). He wrote:
“The simple, indeed, (I will not call them unwise and unlearned) who always constitute the majority of believers, are startled at the dispensation (of the Three in One), on the ground that their very rule of faith withdraws them from the world's plurality of gods to the one only true God; not understanding that, although He is the one only God, He must yet be believed in with His own oi0konomi/a. The numerical order and distribution of the Trinity they assume to be a division of the Unity; whereas the Unity which derives the Trinity out of its own self is so far from being destroyed, that it is actually supported by it. They are constantly throwing out against us that we are preachers of two gods and three gods, while they take to themselves pre-eminently the credit of being worshippers of the One God; just as if the Unity itself with irrational deductions did not produce heresy, and the Trinity rationally considered constitute the truth. We, say they, maintain the Monarchy (or, sole government of God)”
The first Emperor of the Holy
Roman Empire, Constantine, used it to unite
the barbaric, polytheistic-believing (polytheism means the belief in
many gods) pagans that were being forced to convert to
“Christianity.” It was used as a political
tool, before
it was ever a
religious one. And, the Catholic Church, on top of this false
doctrine, then turned some of their former gods into “holy saints.”
Just like what you would expect from a totalitarian regime, a few
hundred key bishops were threatened with violence and even murder if
they did not accept this heretical doctrine of demons. I say
“doctrine of demons” because violence to force a change is not
the way of God. He changes the human heart by conviction and
circumstance to get our attention, not with violence and murder.
Certain parts of the Bible were tampered with, as well, sad to say. I don’t understand when people say that the KJV is a perfect “inspired” English translation. Why is it, then, that it has had several thousand revisions and new editions? For example, I John 5:7-8 in the King James added scripture to attempt to prove the Trinity, those words were added very late. Let’s do a comparison. I will put up what the KJV says and then I will put up two more accurate translations:
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one” (KJV, underline mine).
“Because, three, are they who are bearing witness— 8 The Spirit, and the Water, and the Blood; and, the three, are, [witnesses], unto one thing” (Rotherham, underline mine).
“seeing that three there are that are testifying, 8 the spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three are for the one thing” (Concordant Literal, underline mine).
Hmm...something doesn’t add up, here. This may very well prove that the KJV translators added in extra words to distort the Word of God – a clear sin that God warns about over and over again in Scripture! The spirit of “the lying pen of the scribes” (Jer 8:8) is still here among us!
It doesn’t seem that Paul was a Trinitarian, either, as he begins some of his letters with benedictions, such as: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NKJV, bold mine) and “We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you” (Col 1:3, NASB, bold mine). God is both the God and Father of Christ. He says in other places, “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:7, NASB, bold mine), “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:2, NASB, bold mine), “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:3, NASB, bold mine), “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:2, NASB, bold mine), “To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace” (1Thess 1:1, NASB, bold mine), “To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2Thess 1:1, NASB, bold mine), “To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1Tim 1:2, NASB, bold mine), and “To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior” (Titus 1:4, NASB, bold mine). There’s clearly a distinction when it’s repeated over and over in Scripture.
Thomas did supposedly call Jesus “god,” but also keep in mind that Satan was also referred in the NT as “the god of this world” in 2Cor 4:4 in the NASB. This, by the way, is still not a correct translation, as the term translated as “world” is eon (αἰῶνος or aiōnos), not “κόσμος or kosmos.” He’s actually the “god of this age.” That is the correct translation!
The false trinity doctrine is heathen and draws almost entirely from Plato, the Greek pagan philosopher. It is well documented that early theologians such as Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and St Augustine had a Platonic perspective, and implemented the “three-in-one Godhead” (another unbiblical term) into their works. Those “…Platonic ideas have had a crucial role in the development of Christian theology…” (Srinivasan1). It was based on Greek philosophies. I wonder what the Apostle Paul would have to say about the “philosophers of his day” (1Cor 1:20).
The “Trinity” isn’t even unique to Christianity, as the Hindu’s also have their “trinity,” as well – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – known as the “Trimurti.” Ancient Egypt also had its own “trinity” of Isis, Osiris, and Horus. So, it was with the Babylonians. Sumer, one of the earliest civilizations that started shortly after the Fall of man, believed that, “The universe was divided into three regions each of which become the domain of a god. Anu’s share was the sky. The earth was given to Enlil. Ea became the ruler of the waters. Together they constituted the triad of the Great Gods.” In the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, it says,
“Although the notion of a divine triad or Trinity is characteristic of the Christian religion, it is by no means peculiar to it. In Indian religion we meet with the trinitarian group of Brahma, Siva, and Vishnu; and in Egyptian religion with the trinitarian group of Osiris, Isis, and Horus, constituting a divine family, like the Father, Mother and Son in mediaeval Christian pictures2”
Why do I bring that up? Because, Christianity is supposed to be unlike (i.e., the opposite of) any other religion in the world! None of this “Chris-lam” heresy! We tend to think that when pagans were converted, it was a “clean slate” in their mind when it came to religion. We think that the term “pagan religion” is an oxymoron, but we are finding out that’s not the case. The pagans were very religious, and this was the problem! It has been said that Christianity did not destroy paganism, it adopted it!3
So much of what Christians celebrate today actually comes from paganism, not just the doctrine of the Trinity. Think about it. Why do we celebrate Christmas at the end of the year? Was Jesus born on December 25th? No, but Saturnalia, the ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn was around that time. Same with Saturn-day. Why do we put up the Christmas tree? What does that have to do with the birth of Jesus? Or the yule log? Or mistletoe?
What about Easter? Ever wonder how “Easter” got its name? It was from the western Germanic spring goddess, “Ēostre.” The website “Learning Religions” has this to say about it, “Every year at Ostara, everyone begins chatting about a goddess of spring known as Eostre. According to the stories, she is a goddess associated with flowers and springtime, and her name gives us the word "Easter.4" What about what Christians do every Sunday - SUNday worship? They are ignorant that the Sabbath falls on Saturday, which is the true last day of the week, and the true Sabbath. Not saying any of this is bad, but it makes you wonder, if some Christians condemn Halloween, why don’t they equally condemn these other pagan holidays? Egypt believed in a trinity, as well, and eternal hell for that matter, so why aren’t Christians rushing to condemn those false doctrines? Well, as the saying goes, it’s easier to fool someone, than to convince them that they have been fooled.
Here is some other Biblical support for the Unitarian viewpoint:
Jn 10:30 - “I and my Father are one” (KJV). Yes, They are One in purpose. Jn 17:11 - “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (KJV). Are the disciples also gods, and all the same with each other? When a husband and wife come together, do they not say something along the lines of “We are now one,” in their marriage vows? Does that mean they become the same person? That would not be the meaning of being “one flesh,” but that their lives are now joined together. I can tell you that my wife and I are not the same person!
Jn 20:17 - To My Father and your Father, to My God and your God
Jesus has a God, as do we – and He is the same God!
Romans 12:4-5 - For even as in one body...are one body in Christ (towards one purpose)
1Cor 12 - one Body… (again)
1Cor 8:6 - For there is one God the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ
1Cor 11:3 – The head of Christ is God
1Tim 2:5 - For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man (not “the God”) Christ Jesus
God is Spirit, and so is imperceptible. No one can hear Him, or see Him. Jesus Himself said that only He has seen the Father!
Jn 1:1 actually disproves the Trinity, when read correctly. As I said before, when you want to get the meaning of something, ALWAYS read from an accurate translation, like the Concordant Literal or Young’s Literal. And to clarify further, the original Greek, or Hebrew for the OT. In the CLT, it reads, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was toward God, and God was the word. 2 This was in the beginning toward God” (CLT, italics mine).
Here are some further readings from other sources that disprove the Triune nature of God:
The Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge:
"Jesus, however, cannot have given His disciples this Trinitarian order of baptism after His resurrection; for the New Testament knows only one baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:43; 19:5; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13-15), which still occurs even in the second and third centuries, while the Trinitarian formula occurs only in Matt. 28:19, and then only again (in the) Didache 7:1 and Justin, Apol. 1:61...Finally, the distinctly liturgical character of the formula...is strange; it was not the way of Jesus to make such formulas... the formal authenticity of Matt. 28:19 must be disputed..." page 435.
The Jerusalem Bible, a scholarly Catholic work, states:
"It may be that this formula, (Triune Matthew 28:19) so far as the fullness of its expression is concerned, is a reflection of the (Man-made) liturgical usage established later in the primitive (Catholic) community.
The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, I, 275:
"It is often affirmed that the words in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost are not the ipsissima verba [exact words] of Jesus, but...a later liturgical addition."
The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, page 263:
"The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century."
Again, NO WHERE is the term “God the Son” found ANYWHERE in Scripture!! This is a fact! That term is 100% man-made. In closing, let me quote to you from an online PDF (you really should read it for yourself) called Identifying Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
“…according to Arthur Cushman McGiffert, “In the hope of securing
for his throne the support of the growing body of Christians he had
shown them considerable favor and it was to his interest to have the
church vigorous and united. The Arian controversy was threatening
its unity and menacing its strength. He therefore undertook to put an
end to the trouble. It was suggested to him, perhaps by the Spanish
bishop Hosius, who was influential at court, that if a synod were to
meet representing the whole church both east and west, it might be
possible to restore harmony. ‘Constantine himself of course neither
knew nor cared anything about the matter in dispute but he was eager
to bring the controversy to a close, and Hosius’ advice appealed to
him as sound’” (A History of Christian Thought, vol. 1, p. 258).
It’s ironic that the motivation for finding a resolution on this central
issue was not scriptural but political. To accomplish this, the church
convened a council, which would become the method of resolving
disputes in the church. In most cases, the emperor would preside over
the councils. In the case of the Council of Nicea, Emperor Constantine
chaired the proceedings.
(Source: https://yrm.org/identifying-father-son-holy-spirit/)
1Archana Srinivasan, Famous Greek Personalities, pg 30
2Trinity, pg 458
3A great resource for this, and the source of much of how I got this information, is found in this booklet here: https://yrm.org/identifying-father-son-holy-spirit/
4https://www.learnreligions.com/eostre-spring-goddess-or-neopagan-fancy-2562488
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