5.CONTINUING UNITARIAN vs TRINITARIAN DEBATE.It is important to realize that the debate between Unitarians and Trinitarians continues
today, and that a significant segment of modern Christians do not accept the Trinity as a
valid doctrine. One denomination even calls themselves the Unitarians.
A typical modern-day unitarian Christian view of the Trinity was published in recent
years by a group named “Unity” (Unity Village, Missouri 64065). In their book entitled
THE MAGNIFICENT TOOLS OF THE MIND, Eric Butterworth writes:
The term “Holy Spirit” is an important but greatly misunderstood word in Christianity. It is
thought of as one part of the Trinity (God in three persons); thus, it is clothed with a kind of
individuality which comes and goes in our experience. The concept of the Trinity did not
originate with Jesus. It is not even vaguely suggested in his teachings. It was a term that came
into being as a result of an effort by the bishops of the early church to define the indefinable.
It was a teaching symbol that may have had meaning in its time and among the people of that
day. However, it needs to be clearly redefined in terms of contemporary insights and
integrated into the “new model of the universe.”
SUMMARY
The doctrine of the Trinity does not originate in the gospels, or in the teachings of Jesus.
It demonstrates the human tendency to exalt the object of our love and admiration.
The Nicene creed is the most commonly known statement of the doctrine, but many
events shaped its development. The doctrine was formulated over the third and fourth
centuries, amid much discussion and controversy.
It still produces much discussion and controversy.
today, and that a significant segment of modern Christians do not accept the Trinity as a
valid doctrine. One denomination even calls themselves the Unitarians.
A typical modern-day unitarian Christian view of the Trinity was published in recent
years by a group named “Unity” (Unity Village, Missouri 64065). In their book entitled
THE MAGNIFICENT TOOLS OF THE MIND, Eric Butterworth writes:
The term “Holy Spirit” is an important but greatly misunderstood word in Christianity. It is
thought of as one part of the Trinity (God in three persons); thus, it is clothed with a kind of
individuality which comes and goes in our experience. The concept of the Trinity did not
originate with Jesus. It is not even vaguely suggested in his teachings. It was a term that came
into being as a result of an effort by the bishops of the early church to define the indefinable.
It was a teaching symbol that may have had meaning in its time and among the people of that
day. However, it needs to be clearly redefined in terms of contemporary insights and
integrated into the “new model of the universe.”
SUMMARY
The doctrine of the Trinity does not originate in the gospels, or in the teachings of Jesus.
It demonstrates the human tendency to exalt the object of our love and admiration.
The Nicene creed is the most commonly known statement of the doctrine, but many
events shaped its development. The doctrine was formulated over the third and fourth
centuries, amid much discussion and controversy.
It still produces much discussion and controversy.
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