Henry
There are many who say that acceptance of a particular doctrine or creed is an essential element of one’s salvation. And all of them seem to cite scripture as their justification. So if the doctrine of the trinity is ‘absolutely essential to the Christian faith’ as you say, then show me from scripture where it says as much.
I find it fascinating that even in Jesus time there were those who thought a right interpretation was necessary to gain eternal life. But what did Jesus say? “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.†John 5:39-40)
You know John 1 is a favourite amongst trinitarians because they uphold it as one of their ‘proofs’ that Jesus is God and therefore say that acceptance of it, is a requirement for salvation, but what did Jesus say in this same chapter about those who would be ‘born of God’? “ . . . children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.â€Â
Now tell me, if Jesus said that man’s spiritual birth is not dependant on natural descent, human decision or a husband’s will, how is it that man wants to place these conditions on another thereby (in his eyes) shutting him out of the kingdom of God if he doesn’t agree. Anyone who does this, irrespective of denomination or religious affiliation, does so in no lesser manner than the Pharisees and we know what Jesus said of them. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
A very sobering thought for any who would want to pervert the gospel and place conditions on the one who would receive it by faith.
And it seems to be a long way removed from another statement that Jesus mde. “You shall know them by their fruit.†And that my friend, speaks volumes.
There are many who say that acceptance of a particular doctrine or creed is an essential element of one’s salvation. And all of them seem to cite scripture as their justification. So if the doctrine of the trinity is ‘absolutely essential to the Christian faith’ as you say, then show me from scripture where it says as much.
I find it fascinating that even in Jesus time there were those who thought a right interpretation was necessary to gain eternal life. But what did Jesus say? “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.†John 5:39-40)
You know John 1 is a favourite amongst trinitarians because they uphold it as one of their ‘proofs’ that Jesus is God and therefore say that acceptance of it, is a requirement for salvation, but what did Jesus say in this same chapter about those who would be ‘born of God’? “ . . . children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.â€Â
Now tell me, if Jesus said that man’s spiritual birth is not dependant on natural descent, human decision or a husband’s will, how is it that man wants to place these conditions on another thereby (in his eyes) shutting him out of the kingdom of God if he doesn’t agree. Anyone who does this, irrespective of denomination or religious affiliation, does so in no lesser manner than the Pharisees and we know what Jesus said of them. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.
A very sobering thought for any who would want to pervert the gospel and place conditions on the one who would receive it by faith.
And it seems to be a long way removed from another statement that Jesus mde. “You shall know them by their fruit.†And that my friend, speaks volumes.