Is trinity really a falsehood according to The New Catholic Encyclopedia?

Question

The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “The formulation ‘one God in three Persons’ was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the title the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality or perspective.”—(1967), Vol. XIV, p. 299.

Answer 1

‘Christ according to the faith, is the second person in the Trinity, the Father being the first and the holy Ghost the third. Each of these three persons is God. Christ is his own father and his own son. The Holy Ghost is neither father nor son, but both. The son was begotten by the father, but existed before he was begotten--just the same before as after. Christ is just as old as his father, and the father is just as young as his son. The Holy Ghost proceeded form the Father and Son, but was an equal to the Father and Son before he proceeded, that is to say before he existed, but he is of the same age as the other two. Nothing ever was, nothing ever can be more perfectly idiotic and absurd than the dogma of the Trinity.’

- Col. Robert G. Ingersoll




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Answer 2

Two different things here-1. trinity, and 2. catholic encyclopedia. They are not related. The fact that the term "trinity" is listen in the encyclopedia does not make it a fact, nor does it make it false-its just the opinion of the editor.
Since the apostles died, man has been developing some kind of understandable theology. The early church had none. Just because a doctrine was not taught early on does not make it false, -or true. The 'father, son, and holy spirit' are found throughout the new Testament. What would you call this group of 3 persons, if not a 'trinity'? Many times in the Old Testament God is plural-what does this mean? To deny the trinity would be to deny part of scripture. Would not that be wrong?
I personally do not see why there is a problem.

Answer 3

No.

The Encyclopedia is stating that the doctrine of the Trinity evolved over the years as the Holy Spirit guided the young Church in many issues, not that the doctrine is false.

The Bible does not contain the word Trinity. However, the Holy Trinity is hinted at repeatedly in both the Old and New Testaments.

Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the early Christians prayed and struggled over these hints for a couple of centuries. The concept of the Holy Trinity (three persons in one God) was mainstream Christianity in 325 A.D. at the Council of Nicaea and our belief is expressed in the Nicene Creed from that council:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him, all things were made. For us and our salvation, He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

The Trinity is a concept wherein God manifested Himself in three persons—as the Father, as the Son Jesus Christ, and as the Holy Spirit. 1 John 5:7 states: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

According to the Holy Spirit who we (plural) talk to, God is really one but He made Himself into three. What is God? In John 4:24, it states that “God is a spirit”. This spirit of God talked to Moses in the Old Testament. This same spirit dwelt in the physical body of a human being who we call Jesus Christ. And when Jesus was crucified and died, He ascended to Heaven witnessed by His apostles. He came back as a spirit, as the Holy Spirit, and gave His disciples the gift of speaking in tongues, as found in chapters 2 and 3 of Acts. Is it impossible to God to make Himself be manifested in three persons? Do we think that God can only be at one place at one time? Isn’t it that God is everywhere?

The Holy Spirit told us to use the King James Version of the Bible. He said that this version is nearer the truth. Some Christian denominations or sects may not subscribe to Trinity so they publish their own version of the Bible to show that the Trinity is not true, or they prescribe the use of a certain Bible version that suit their unbelief to the Trinity. That is why we have to use the version that the Holy Spirit recommends—the King James. Although there may be flaws in it, it is at least nearer the truth. The Trinity is not a flaw but it is true, according to the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

You should have given the link to the encyclopedia so we can look at the context of the quotation you cited.

Anyway, I am not aware of any reversal of this doctrine by the Church. Such a reversal would have caused repercussions and investigations in the Church. The Church has never reversed any encyclical or dogma when it involves faith and morals. That's why I seriously doubt the authenticity of your source.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 6

Yes indeed. The false pagan doctrine of the trinity was promoted by Catholics, yet in their own Encyclopedia they deny that the Apostles believed in such a thing. When it comes to whose example we follow, we believe that Jesus' disciples knew the truth about who he was and they knew he was the Son of God---not Almighty God. Therefore, that is how we acknowledge the Son. He is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, and our now reigning King in heaven---but he is not God.
LOBT

Answer 7

The word "Trinity" does not exist anywhere in the whole Bible, but it is mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an in the following places:

a. In Surah Nisa chapter 4 verse 171
"Say not ‘Trinity’: desist:
It will be better for you for
Allah is one God."
[Al-Qur’an 4:171]

b. A similar message is repeated in Surah Maidah chapter 5 verse 73
"They do blaspheme who say
Allah is one of three
In a Trinity: for there is
No god except One God.
If they desist not
From their word (of blasphemy),
Verily a grievous penalty
Will befall the blasphemers
Among them."
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

The verse in the Bible which is closest to "Trinity" and is often quoted by Christian missionaries is the first Epistle of John, chapter 5 verse no 7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one."

In the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (R.S.V.) revised by 32 Christian scholars of the highest eminence backed by 50 different co-operating denominations, this verse which is the keystone of the Christian faith has been removed as an interpolation, as a fabrication and as a concoction. It has not been expunged from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible by the Muslims or by non-Christian scholars, but by 32 Christian scholars of the highest eminence backed by 50 different cooperating denominations as an interpolation, as a concoction and as a fabrication because this verse does not exist in the original manuscript. We Muslims must congratulate the galaxy of D.D.’s (Doctors of Divinity) who have been honest enough to eliminate another lie from the English R.S.V. Bible, thus bringing it closer to the teachings of Islam and the Glorious Qur’an.

Jesus (pbuh) never spoke about Trinity i.e. three in one. On the contrary he says in:

a. The Gospel of Mark ,chapter 12, verse 29
"Shama Israelu Adonai Ila Hayno Adonia Ikhad"
It is a Hebrew quotation which means:
"Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord."

b. The Gospel of John, chapter 14 verse 28
"My father is greater than I."

c. The Gospel of John, chapter 10 verse 29
"My Father... is greater than all."

d. The Gospel of Mathew, chapter 12, verse 28
"… I cast out devils by the Spirit of God…."

e. The Gospel of Luke, chapter 11 verse 20
"…I with the finger of God cast out devils…."

f. The Gospel of John, chapter 5 verse 30
"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."

Answer 8

The thing is that not all was written regarding the Apostolic tradition, in fact scripture tells us that if everything that Jesus said or did was written down the whole world could not contain it all.
God has given His church the light of the Holy Spirit to discern and make known truths like the concept of the Trinity etc.
www.newadvent.org/cathen/
15047.html

Answer 9

Punter, trust me, you read too much of those Strange but true magazines!. You are like that child by the red sea who is trying to fill the whole world's oceans into a hold that it dug!

Answer 10

This verse summarize the whole issue:

005.073 They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. (QURAN)