The doctrine of the Trinity is regarded as fundamental by many churches, although the word “trinity” nowhere appears in the Bible. In fact, the word did not even appear in Christian literature until the beginning of the third century. Tertullian, who introduced the word, used it in a very different way than it is used today.
Both Protestant and Catholic Bible scholars recognize that the doctrine of the Trinity did not become church dogma until the fourth century. The Jews, whom God dealt with exclusively during the Old Testament times, never believed in a triune God. The rabbinical writings (Talmud) which date from Old Testament times are voluminous, yet the concept of a trinity is not once mentioned in them. The New Catholic Encyclopedia concedes that the doctrine of the Trinity is not taught in the Old Testament.(NEW CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA, 1967 edition, Vol. XIV, p. 306) Neither does the New Testament teach this doctrine.
2006-10-26
16:41:36
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