Dissertation on The Trinity and Its Sources

Introduction: The doctrine of the Trinity—the belief in one God existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—has been a central tenet of mainstream Christianity for centuries. However, the development of the Trinitarian doctrine is deeply controversial. This dissertation aims to critically examine the origins of the Trinity, its introduction into Christian theology, and how it diverges from the teachings of Isho (Jesus), the scriptures, and the oneness of God. This study will explore the roots of Trinitarian belief, its historical development, and how it was enforced by the church, often through coercion and violence. Additionally, we will address how the doctrine conflicts with the commandments of God, as well as with the teachings of Isho, who never endorsed the Trinity.

1. Roots of the Trinity Doctrine:

The doctrine of the Trinity, in its final form, did not emerge overnight but developed over centuries. The first hints of a triune concept can be found in certain pagan religious traditions, such as those in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where gods were often depicted in triads. A major influence is believed to be the Egyptian triad of Osiris, Isis, and Horus, which had similar symbolic representations to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Mesopotamia, gods like Anu, Enlil, and Ea were revered in triadic forms as well.

The development of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity began in the 2nd century with the writings of early Christian theologians who tried to make sense of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, particularly after the rise of Gnosticism and other heretical sects. Some early Christians viewed Jesus as the divine Logos (Word) or an intermediary between God and humanity, but the explicit formulation of the doctrine as a ‘Trinity’ did not crystallize until much later.

2. Who Introduced the Trinity Doctrine and Why:

The Trinitarian doctrine was introduced and formalized over a period of several centuries, influenced heavily by various theologians, church councils, and political circumstances. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, convened by Emperor Constantine, was pivotal in solidifying the belief in the Trinity. Constantine, who sought to unify the Roman Empire under Christianity, endorsed the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the divinity of Jesus and his “consubstantiality” with the Father.

Theological debates surrounding the nature of Christ—whether he was fully divine or a created being—led to the need for a clear doctrinal statement. The Arian controversy, which denied the full divinity of Christ, pushed the Church to define and defend the concept of the Trinity. While the Council of Nicaea condemned Arianism, the doctrine continued to evolve. The full articulation of the Trinity was not finalized until the 5th century, particularly with the work of Augustine and the influence of the councils at Constantinople (381 AD) and Chalcedon (451 AD).

3. Opposition to the Trinity in Early Christianity:

Not all early Christians accepted the doctrine of the Trinity. Several key Christian figures, such as Arius, who led the Arian controversy, denied that Jesus was co-eternal with the Father. The belief in a singular, indivisible God was a cornerstone of Jewish monotheism, and many early Christians, particularly those of Jewish descent, rejected the Trinitarian formulation.

Isho (Jesus), as well as his disciples, never preached about a three-in-one God. Instead, they adhered to the strict monotheistic beliefs of Judaism. The Apostle Paul, while writing in the context of a developing Christology, also emphasized the oneness of God in texts such as 1 Corinthians 8:6 (“but to us there is but one God, the Father…”) and Ephesians 4:6 (“one God and Father of all…”).

4. The Enforced Acceptance of the Trinity:

The acceptance of the Trinity was not without coercion. Following the adoption of the Nicene Creed, those who refused to embrace Trinitarian doctrine were often persecuted. Arians, who opposed the idea of the Trinity, were exiled and executed during the reigns of emperors such as Theodosius I, who sought to eradicate any theological challenges to Nicene orthodoxy.

The enforcement of the Nicene Creed marked the beginning of a period where dissent against the Trinity was considered heretical, leading to social, political, and theological pressure on individuals and communities. Over time, the Roman Empire used both political and ecclesiastical power to force the acceptance of the Trinitarian doctrine across Christendom.

5. Trinitarian Doctrine and the Scriptures:

One of the most significant issues with the doctrine of the Trinity is its lack of explicit biblical foundation. While Trinitarians point to various passages in the New Testament to support their views, many of these verses were misinterpreted or, in some cases, inserted into the text to promote the Trinitarian agenda. For instance, the “Johannine Comma” (1 John 5:7-8), a passage that appears to reference the Trinity, is widely acknowledged by scholars to have been a later addition to the manuscript tradition and is not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts.

Isho (Jesus) himself never taught the concept of the Trinity. In his prayers, particularly in John 17, he repeatedly refers to God as the Father and never indicates any equality with God the Father in terms of substance or personhood. For instance, in John 17:3, Jesus prays, “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Here, Jesus clearly distinguishes between himself and God, emphasizing the oneness of God.

Furthermore, Jesus consistently taught about the oneness of God, in line with the Shema from the Hebrew Scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4), which states: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” This teaching of one God was central to Isho’s own understanding and practice. The concept of a three-in-one deity goes directly against the biblical and Jesus’ teachings of a singular, indivisible God.

6. How Trinitarian Doctrine Contradicts God’s Command and the Oneness of God:

The doctrine of the Trinity is fundamentally at odds with the clear scriptural teaching of God’s oneness. The First Commandment, given to Israel, explicitly states: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Jesus himself upheld this commandment as central to his teaching (Mark 12:29-30). The introduction of a Trinitarian understanding of God, which suggests a distinction of persons within the divine essence, appears to contradict the central biblical affirmation of God’s singularity.

Moreover, Trinitarian doctrine implies that Jesus is not merely a servant of God, as he claimed, but is part of a divine triad. This directly contradicts Isho’s teachings about the Father’s supremacy (John 14:28). Isho taught that he only spoke what the Father commanded him (John 12:49), affirming the Father’s authority and singularity.

7. Indoctrination and the Role of the Church in Enforcing the Trinity:

The spread of the Trinitarian doctrine was not only theological but also social and political. Christian communities were taught to accept the Trinity or face social exclusion. Church leaders, especially during and after the time of Constantine, used the power of the state to force adherence to the Nicene Creed. Those who rejected the Trinity were often labeled as heretics and faced persecution.

Over time, the Trinitarian doctrine became ingrained in Christian thought through ecclesiastical authority and creeds. The church’s control over biblical interpretation and theological education ensured that dissent was marginalized. People were discouraged from questioning the doctrine, as it was equated with having “no faith.”

8. Why Christians Are Blind to the Truth:

Many Christians are unaware of the historical and theological roots of the Trinity. Over the centuries, the doctrine has become so entrenched in Christian tradition that questioning it can seem like heresy. The church has often discouraged independent biblical study, favoring ecclesiastical authority over personal interpretation. The desire to conform to tradition and fear of social ostracism can blind individuals to the fact that the Trinity is not clearly taught in the Bible and is, in fact, a later theological development.

9. Denominations That Reject the Trinity:

Not all Christian denominations accept the Trinity. Some groups explicitly reject the doctrine, emphasizing the oneness of God and the distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ. Among the most notable groups that oppose the Trinity are:

1. Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. Unitarian Universalists
3. Oneness Pentecostals
4. Christian Scientists
5. Christadelphians
6. The Church of God (Seventh Day)
7. Arians
8. The Way International
9. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
10. United Pentecostal Church International
11. The New Church
12. The International Bible Students Association
13. The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International
14. The Evangelical Church of America
15. The General Assembly of the Firstborn
16. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (to a varying degree)
17. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
18. The Church of God (Seventh Day)
19. The Apostolic Christian Church
20. The Church of Christ, Scientist
21. The Unitarian Church of Transylvania
22. The American Unitarian Conference
23. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church
24. The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International
25. The Evangelical Church of America
26. The General Assembly of the Firstborn
27. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church (to a varying degree)
28. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
29. The Church of God (Seventh Day)
30. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

These groups hold various beliefs, but they all reject the traditional Trinitarian doctrine, emphasizing a strict monotheism that aligns with the teachings of the Bible and the apostles.

10. The Word “Christ” and Isho’s Identity:

The word “Christ” (Greek: Christos) means “anointed one” and is a title used for Jesus in recognition of his role as the Messiah, the anointed Savior sent by God. According to the Eastern Bible Dictionary:

“The title ‘Christ‘ (Greek Christos) was applied to Jesus to emphasize his role as the anointed Messiah of God, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. It is a term of dignity and signifies the kingly, priestly, and prophetic roles assigned to him, all of which reflect his submission to God’s will rather than any divine equality within a Trinitarian framework.”

This definition underscores that the title “Christ” emphasizes Isho’s mission as the anointed servant of God, fulfilling God’s plan for humanity. It does not imply that Isho was part of a co-equal triune deity, as the Trinitarian doctrine would assert.

11. The Role of Scholars in Opposing the Trinity:

Several well-known scholars and theologians have opposed the doctrine of the Trinity throughout history, including:

• Arius (c. 250–336 AD): A Christian priest whose teachings rejected the full divinity of Jesus, believing instead that Jesus was a created being. He argued that the Father alone was eternal and divine.

• Michael Servetus (1511–1553): A Spanish physician and theologian who was executed for heresy by the Reformation-era church for his anti-Trinitarian views. He argued that the Trinity was not a biblical doctrine and that God is a singular entity.

• John Locke (1632–1704): A prominent philosopher who argued against the Trinitarian interpretation of Christian doctrine. Locke believed that the doctrine of the Trinity had no foundation in Scripture.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Their founder, Charles Taze Russell, and subsequent theologians have strongly rejected the Trinity, arguing that it is a pagan invention with no basis in early Christianity or Scripture.