FALSE STATEMENT
Christians worship three Gods which makes them polytheists, or tritheists, instead of monotheists.
OUR DEFENSE
The statement that Christians worship multiple Gods is one typically made by those who misunderstand what is called the Doctrine of the Trinity. Muslims are one group, for example, that typically believe this statement to be true about Christians. So let’s break down this Doctrine, which is a testament to just how incredible God the creator is. It should be noted though, that the actual term Trinity does not exist in the bible. The key thing to remember is this term is merely used to describe the biblical concept of God’s nature. Or what is commonly referred to as God’s Ontological nature; God’s makeup.
Doctrine of the Trinity
To build our understanding of the Trinity we must recognize these three main principles, or “pillars”.
- There is only one true and living God.
- God exists in three divine distinct persons.
- Each person is fully God.
Armed with this understanding we can now take a closer look at what makes up the Trinity and how God operates.
- The three persons of the Trinity that make up God are defined as: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit and they are one.
- The Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Father. The Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son.
- The Father, Son and Spirit are not three separate beings or gods. They are three distinct persons that makeup the one God.
- Each person of the trinity acts in perfect righteous harmony, in a coordinated effort to fulfill God’s will.
- Each person of the trinity is coequal, copowerful and coeternal.
- All three persons makeup the one God. Without all three there is no God.
- How God carries out His acts is described as His economic function. The three persons carry out independent acts, in a coordinated effort to fulfill the will of God. This term is commonly referred to as the Economic Trinity.
If you haven’t noticed, we have two terms that are used to describe God. Ontological which refers to God’s makeup and economic which refers to how God operates.
Now, each person of the Trinity has a role which means one person can be subordinate to another. An example of this would be God the Son, being directed by God the Father. However this does NOT mean they are not equal. It just means they merely have different roles.
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)
It is important to grasp the concept of “roles” in the Trinity. If God is made up of three distinct persons who display different roles, becoming subordinate to one another yet still existing with equal value, then it should not be hard for married Christian couples to understand their roles are different, yet still of equal value. Not understanding the importance of “roles” is what typically leads to “Head of Household” arguments and disagreements.
Let’s look at the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is subordinate to God the Father and God the Son yet still of equal value.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26 )
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” (John 15:26 )
We see here the Father “and” the Son have the ability to “send” the Holy Spirit.
As for the son of God, we believe Jesus Christ has always eternally existed. He did not become the Son after He entered the world.
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16 – 17)
“19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:19 – 21 )
Jesus Christ, the light of the world came into the world as the light. Not after.
Monotheism
Christians are monotheists; believing in one God only. Christians are not Tritheists which is the belief in three gods.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” ( Matthew 28:19)
This tells us that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit exists together as one. Not as three separate Gods.
“4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:” ( Deuteronomy 6:4 )
Referred to as the first line of the Shema. (The Shema is an affirmation of Judaism and a declaration of faith in one God.)
Conclusion
So as we wrap up let’s go over the three main pillars again.
- There is only one true and living God.
- God exists in three divine persons.
- Each person is fully God.
Based on the Doctrine of the Trinity, Christians simply do not believe in or worship multiple gods. To say otherwise is simply not true.