WHEN CHRIST corrected Thomas for his serious "lack of faith" at:?

Question

(John 20:27-29) “. . .Next he said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and take your hand and stick it into my side, AND STOP (my caps) being unbelieving but BECOME BELIEVING .” 28 In answer Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him: “Because you have seen me have you believed? Happy are those who do not see and yet believe.””

--WITH SUCH an easily manipulated attitude , controlled by his emotions!
--AND FORGETTING--the possiblity that he was just making a surprized acclamation "my lord(referring to Jesus) and my God"!(rerring to Jehovah)

--WHY have the trinitarians for the many years tried to use those expressions of surprize to indicate he was giving proof to the trinity?
--PLEASE remember, he showed a doubting attitude worthy--an UNBELIEVER!

**IT AMAZES me how easily our "resident trinitarians" cannot possibly IMAGINE that Thomas was making a surprized exclamation "my Lord(who was there, and perhaps expressing to him his embarrasment) and my God"( acknowledging Jehovah God providing his marvelously resurrected Son , Christ)
--TO EXCLUDE such a possibility(since none of us know exactly what he was feeling in his weak faith) is really the sign of IGNORANCE, & extreem insecurity!

Answer 1

As regards the main question, just a few verses before Thomas' exclamation, the writer John recalled Jesus saying (John 20:17) that he (Jesus) was going to his Father and their Father, God. To believe in the trinity, Jesus was saying that he was going up to meet himself! (Sounds to me like Multiple Personality Disorder!)

John further says (John 20:31), after Thomas' exclamation; "what has been written has been written so that you may know that Jesus is the Christ, the SON of God". If Jesus was God himself, then why didn't this verse say so?

Clearly, the quoted scripture above in the question is not proof of the trinity. To take it as proof of the trinity would be to take it out of context. As you said, THA, this could have been an emotional response by Thomas (exclaiming "my God"), just like humans today do so when they see something amazing. Even if he was referring to Jesus as "my God", he was simply referring to him as a "mighty one", or one who deserves worship. The bible refers to anything that is worshiped, or anything/one that is mighty in power, as a God.

It amazes me how some Trinitarians will say there's overwhelming evidence (easily refutable) in support of the trinity, when there is just as much (if not more) evidence disproving it. Believing in the trinity goes against the whole harmony of the bible. To not believe in the trinity means not having to twist the scriptures to support the confused theory which doesn't make sense. You don't reason that because some scriptures refer to Jesus as a god, that he must be THE God. The bible (including Jesus himself!) refers to even people as gods. If you say that Satan is the god of this system/world, does that mean that he is THE God? No you don’t. Jesus clearly emphasizes that he is not equal to God, and that he gives God the praise.

Another joke, is that the Trinitarians will put in brackets after stating "son of God" that that means (God himself)! Why is it so hard to believe that Jesus was the firstborn of all creation and therefore is Gods only begotten son (as the bible says, in a father / son relationship)?

Answer 2

This is a huge point and I wish more time would be spent discussing it.

As several have pointed out here, Jesus doesn't make any statement to "correct" Thomas. To Thomas, Jesus is God.

I brought this up, in fact, to a couple of Jehovah's witnesses who came to my door a couple weeks ago. They told me that the word used for God in this verse was originally lower-case. They didn't even look it up in their Bible. I did later, in their Bible. It wasn't lower case in there. They were really shooting from the hip.

So anyway, these verses do far more to support the concept of the trinity than to refute it. If it were that Thomas had made an hysterical outburst, Jesus would have set it straight. He didn't.

It doesn't "prove" the trinity per se', however. It shows Jesus effectively affirming he's God. It would seem to contradict other citartions where he says things like: "The father is greater than I am." And of course, Jesus is often shown praying to the father. So, is this a Bible contradiction? That would explain why so many feel the need to talk around it. Exegesis... picking and choosing what fits your belief system.

Suzanne

Answer 3

Yes, Thomas would be considered a bad witness since he was doubting, even after having traveled with Jesus and having seen the miracles he performed. But then, we have Judas also that betrayed Jesus. Would you use his testimony to affirm a statement?

My NKJV of the bible has the triquetra in the front as a logo, and all mention of the name Jehovah has been removed. Shows what god(s) they are worshipping doesn't it? And the famous John 1:1, nitpicking over an a, when verse 2 clarifies that he (the word) was in the heavens with God. It is quite evident that their eyes are blinded by the god of this system of thing, none other than Satan. They are in fact, hypnotized.

Answer 4

We all believe but in times of disappointment we question our faith. The Christian life is not a perfected life. It has it's ups and downs. Why? Because of the god of this world. Satan. Attitude has everything to do with it yet we do allow are emotions to get in the way. 1 John chapter 1. If a person says he or she has not sinned they are a lier. It is the Christ who is faithful not we ourselves. God knew. That is why they were unable to do anything for God until the spirit came within them. Acts chapter 2. Jesus was his Lord and his God.Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said I will be with you day after day after day until the end of the age. God loves us so much and wants us to understand that he comes to us individually. See what he did for Thomas! He does for us day after day after day. Is any one worthy. Not hardly! Nothing we do surprises God. We live by faith and not by sight. But it is by the spirit of God that we believe. We take know credit for what God has done. We are just like sheep. We need a shepard. If he did not give his spirit we would roam away in a minute. 1 Peter 1 chapter. The world will persecute us and oppress us,and manipulate us. It is hard to control ones emotions. Life comes down hard. But it is in those times we learn to pray and rely on the Master Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith. Hebrews chapter 12. We have a great crowd of witness. Jesus is still our source.

Answer 5

Thomas is remembered for his incredulity when the other Apostles announced Christ's Resurrection to him: "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25); but eight days later he made his act of faith, drawing down the rebuke of Jesus: "Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed" (John 20:29).

Answer 6

It seems an honest and plain reading of the passage shows that Thomas is calling Jesus "God," recognizing Jesus as Deity and not simply saying, "Oh, my God" in the casual way that people do today.

More important seems to be Jesus' response. He doesn't scold him for referring to him as "God." "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Add to that the author's comments following: "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Add to that all the other things that Jesus says about himself in the Gospels.

The idea of the trinity does not rest on the testimony of Thomas alone.

Blessings.

Answer 7

when thomas said, My LORD & my God ... he was saying that Jesus Christ was not only LORD, but also God.... that they are one & the SAME.

thomas could say& believed that Jesus was God b/c ...
at the time thomas was told Jesus had appeared to the other apostles, Jesus was not present.
the next time Jesus appeared, He went straight to "doubting thomas" & said ... "thomas, my hands...".
thomas realized only God would know what had been said as Jesus was not even present at the time. thomas knew that Jesus was more than just a man... He was God.

Answer 8

What about the other 42 times the Fourth Gospel refers to the deity of Jesus? What is your excuse there?

What about the 25 times that he records Jesus applying the "divine name" to HIMSELF?


You seem to have really missed John's point...

Answer 9

Did anyone notice that Jesus did NOT correct Thomas for calling Him God?

Isaiah the prophet called Jesus God too. Isaiah 9:6

Jesus never corrected Isaiah either.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

Thomas is perhaps the most famous skeptic - he HAD to have proof before believing - so why is no proof given these days?