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[gl]

Regarding the use of fear to bring people to Christ, I think it can be legitmately used, but together with God's love.
In numerous places in scripture God lays out the blessing as a result of obedience and the cursing as a result of disobedience. I would equate the cursing with fear motivation.
The first words recorded that Jesus said when he began his ministry was 'Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”' Jesus wanted people to repent because of the consequence of not doing so which was separation from God or Hell if you like.
A person must first realise that because of their sin and the consequence of there sin they are in trouble(fear motivation) before they can appreciate that Christ took there place(love of God).
Suppose someone is in a boat going down a stream for a leisurely outing. There is a water falls comming up which they are unaware of, but you have knowledge of. Will you be on the bank explaining that they should get out of the boat so you can show them how much God love's them. No you will be shouting 'Get out of the boat a falls is up ahead, you're going to die!!'(fear motivation). When they are safe on land you can explain God's love was demonstarted, in that he warned them, and all of the other benefits of following Christ.
Anyway, that my take on this.

gl

[gl]

Ramblinrose,

The way you’ve broken this down makes sense. I think your technique of breaking thinks down and paraphrase opens up the meaning and clarifies any confusion. Thanks, I will endeavour to apply this for my own use, that’s if you don’t mind.

gl

[gl]

Hi All,

Does it matter if you're in Hell for a moment or an eternity? Jesus express the horror of being there for any amount of time that if it were possible it is better to give up our eyes, something we value highly, to prevent being there.[Mat 5:29]. And again if you had the all the riches of the world it would be better to give this up to prevent losing our soul.[Mat 16:26]
Eventually someone will be guided and inspired with the truth from scripture regarding this topic, but for now Hell is a bad place and we don't want to be there a moment or an eternity.

GL

[gl]

t8,

Things have not progressed much further from last post. It so happened that the Pastor I approached was expecting a baby and before I could meet with her again the baby arrived. She is currently on maternity leave, so it may not be until another 6 mths before this subject is broached again.
I’ve resigned myself to peaceful co-existense, however if ever, when ever this doctrine is brought up I will state, in humility and love, the biblical reasons for my stance.
Your site has been very helpful in providing rebuttal for scripture that apparently claim Jesus is Almighty God. In my recent reading I came across "1 John 5:17 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."
Some commentaries claim that this states that Jesus is God, what is your opinion?

[gl]

ethan,

t8 has admirable addressed elsewhere this forum a number of the scripture you’ve mentioned. But I have notice that you did not address 1 Cor 8:6, there is just no getting around it.

I’m at the point where at least for myself the scripture becomes much clearer if there is one (Almighty)God, the Father and one Lord Jesus. I will even accept Jesus to be given the title of God but not the Most High or Almighty, since these titles are exclusive – there can only be one holder of that title otherwise the meaning becomes null and void. As t8 has explained numerous times God(theos) can be used for authority, judge, mighty men etc – so we must used the context to determine the intent.

GL

[gl]

ethan,

Thanks for the site. I just skimmed the title page and have already reject this concept. A paragraph on the site states "Jesus alone is God and only He can be worshipped as God." While the bible state "1 Cor 8:6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him."
There is definitely a contradiction, who am I to believe?

BTW: To anyone who is interested, I did approach one on my pastors on this subject and was told I need to study the subject more and was give a theology book on the Trinity, with a Trinity slant. But in all the reading I’ve been doing no source can give an adequate rebuttal to 1 Cor 8:6.

GL.

[gl]

Thank you t8 very much for your reply. I has helped me to understand that in essence we must be lead by the Spirit in all we do. And I do pray that I will be lead and guided in this way.
I do however have a moral dilemma in that the doctrinal statement that I signed upon church membership states that if my doctrinal beliefs change I must make this know to the leadership.
In addition I’ve been in the evanaglism ministry and I’m currently teaching Sunday school. In both cases the gospel is presented with a trinity based belief. I find it difficult to present this with a clear conscience when I know different. I think this alone has solidified what I must do and that is to discretely speak to my Pastor.
I will keep you posted in the New Year. BTW I’m in Toronto, Canada – found you site by doing a search on trinity.
Thanks again and God Bless.
GL.

[gl]

I myself have been convinced in the unsoundness of the trinity theology and your site has convinced me that the Father is God and Jesus is the Son of God.
The story of Joseph is a great analogy for the relationship between God and his son. Joseph was give the power of Pharaoh by Pharaoh, but Joseph was still subject to Pharaoh.
Having said all that my question is what do I do? Should I approach my pastor with this? I’m a member of a church and have signed a doctrinal statement that includes the trinity. I’m certain I will have to leave the church. And what makes difficult is that my wife and children are member of the church and her conclusion is to leave it alone.
I need fellowship with other believers, but it will be difficult to find a church that does not push the trinity doctrine.

Any suggestions?

Godfrey.

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