Home Christian Writings The true meaning of the word ‘God’ – The Trinity Doctrine Page 16

The true meaning of the word ‘God’ – The Trinity Doctrine

Part 01 – The Trinity Doctrine
Part 02 – Who is the Most High God?
Part 03 – Who and what is Jesus?
Part 04 – The true meaning of ‘God’
Part 05 – Supporting the Trinity
Part 06 – Pre-Nicene writings
Part 07 – Development of the Trinity
Part 08 – Why challenge the Trinity
Part 09 – Trinity Doctrine conclusion
Part 10 – An Apostasy
Part 11 – 100 indisputable proof verses
Part 12 – What is your confession?
Part 13 – The Roman Catholic faith
Part 14 – Trinity Doctrine resources

An important but much overlooked fact when understanding the word ‘God ‘in the bible is that both the Old and New Testament are translated from a number of different words and each original Hebrew or Greek word for ‘God’ have a wide range of uses.

Theos

Theos {theh’-os} is by far the most common Greek word that we translate as God or god. Below are the possible meanings of the word ‘theos’.

1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities
3) spoken of the only and true God
3a) refers to the things of God
3b) his counsels, interests, things due to him
4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in any way
4a) God’s representative or viceregent
4a1) of magistrates and judges

So the Father is God because of his authority. However God the author also sends messengers with his authority, so when our Father anoints someone to speak His words, that person is can be given the title ‘god’ whether he be an angel or a man. Also, someone or something that takes takes the place of God is also called a god, in particular a false god. In addition, the word god can be used when describing something great, like a great earthquake.

Let’s now look at some biblical verses that apply the word God (Theos) to denote different identities or as a description.

Below we see a verse where the word ‘theos’ is used when referring to the Father.

The Father

Ephesians 1:3 (English-NIV)
Praise be to the God (theos) and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Satan

The word ‘theos’ in the next verse is used to describe Satan / The Devil as he is the god of this world/age.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (English-NIV)
The god (theos) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (theos).

Man

The word (theos) is also used to describe man / judges.

John 10:34 (English-NIV)
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, `I have said you are gods (theos)’

The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and again we see that the word “God” can apply to our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Angelic & Demonic powers, mankind, idols, and even things or events.

El

The NIV & NASB translate the following 3 words as God “el” “eloah” & “elohim”
Each is a generic term, meaning “God” or “mighty one”.
Normally when one of these words occur in the OT, it designates either the true God or something that the pagan nations viewed as a god. In a few instances these words are also used of angels and human beings.

The Father

Below is a scripture that shows that the Father is God.

Malachi 2:10 (English-NIV)
Have we not all one Father ? Did not one God (El) create us?
Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?

Jesus Christ

The next verse uses the Hebrew word “eloah” which used to describe Jesus.
We will be looking at this scripture in more depth in Part 5 (Scriptures used to support the Trinity Doctrine).

Isaiah 9:6 (English-NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God (El), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Idols

The following verse uses ‘Elohim’ to denote idols.

Exodus 20:23 (English-NIV)
Do not make any gods (Elohim) to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods (Elohim) of silver or gods (Elohim) of gold.

Elohim

The word “Elohim” is the most common word that is translated God in the Old Testament.

The Father

Genesis 1:1 (English-NIV) says:
In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.

Man / Judges

“Elohim” can also be ascribed to Man. See next the verse.

Psalms 82:6 (English-NIV)
“I said, `You are “gods” (Elohim); you are all sons of the Most High.’

When Jesus said “you are gods (theos)”, as quoted previously on this page, he was actually quoting the above Psalm.

Angels

And, angels are called gods in Psalm 97:7. This verse is actually quoted in the Hebrews 1:6 and it is referring to the Angels.

Psalm 97:7
All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols; worship him, all you gods (Elohim)!

Earthquake or City

Finally the word elohim can be used to describe something that was exceedingly great like an earthquake or a city.

1 Samuel 14:15
And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great (elohim) trembling.

Jonah 3:3
So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly (elohim) great city, a three days’ walk.

Conclusion

These scriptures clearly show us the wide usage of the word that we know as God/god. It is a term or title that is used to identify God but is not always used in that sense. Rather it is a term that can apply to many types of authority, to idols, and even to things that are very great.

When the word God is being used to identify an authority, it is important to read the context because The Most High God is completely different to the god of this age and saying that God is always the one true God of Heaven and Earth, then we can mistakenly make Satan the one true God. In other words the type of God that is being referred to is determined by the adjective or context of the sentence. It is incorrect to read the word ‘God’ as the Most High God in every case. In fact the very term ‘Most High God’ leads us to conclude that there must be lesser gods.

We know that the word ‘Elohim’ is a term or title and not a name, but does God have a name? Yes he does. ‘YHWH’ which is called the “tetragrammaton,” meaning “the four letters,” is the revealed name of God, which scholars translate as Yahweh, Jehovah, Yahvah amongst others. Knowing that there is no such letter in Hebrew that makes the sound of a ‘J’, there are many Hebrew names that contain an emphasis on the *Yah* sound. Even Jesus name in Hebrew has this sound. ‘Yahshua’ is Jesus name in Hebrew and it is where we get the English name Joshua. But the word Yahweh is not actually a translation of the tetragrammaton, it is a transliteration meaning the sounds of those original Hebrew letters have been reproduced into another language. Other biblical names that have been transliterated include: Abraham, which in Hebrew is pronounced Abrawhawm and Sarah is pronounced Sawraw. Today if the president of the USA goes to Germany they will pronounce his name rather than change it into a German word of the same meaning. In the same way ‘Yahweh’ should be pronounced exactly the same in all languages.

God first reveals his name in Exodus.3:15 and Psalm 135:13
And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHWH, Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

God’s response to Moses, shows us clearly that ‘God’ (Elohim) is not a name, but a title and we saw earlier how this particular title can refer to others including men, angels, and false gods.

Understanding the usage of the word theos and elohim in scripture clearly shows that these words are ascribed to more than God Almighty, especially when there is mentions of another person or thing. And the assumption that all who are called theos that are not the Almighty are by reason of that, a false theos, is not true either. Scripture applies theos and elohim in a positive way to men and angels. And can an earthquake be a false God?

Knowing that the Father is predominately the one being referred to when we see the word God, as pointed out, it is not always exclusively the Father. How many times is Jesus called God? Well let’s put it into perspective. Overwhelmingly it is the Father. Secondly, the term is used of false gods. Finally Jesus, angels, men, and Satan are mentioned only once  to a few times.

Discussion

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  • June 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm#815311
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    You must be born again from above.

    Then they can begin to see the kingdom.

    Philosophers and speculators walk in the dark.

    June 28, 2016 at 5:14 pm#815315
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Well, but, Nick, you know the show-stopper song, don’t you?  “When you walk through the dark, hold your head up high…”  Andre Rieu, the European version of Fiedler and the Pops, has an arrangement  here, readily available on youtube,  that will just knock your socks off.  I started balling,  just air conducting along with Andre  and his  Johann Strauss Waltz Orchestra. Thanks for reminding me.  I’m going right to that  site and give another listen right now.

    June 28, 2016 at 5:24 pm#815320
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    When you run out of witty answers God will still be making you an offer.

    June 28, 2016 at 6:33 pm#815321
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Thanks for the  compliment about my remarks being “witty.”  However, they weren’t aimed at  God, they were  aimed at you.   God already  made me an offer, offered me a sense of humor, however that small may be, and it is, believe me.  I’m just taking advantage of God’s offering here. When I run out of witty comments, then I’ll just yawn whenever your posts appear.  I’ll keep on trying to be witty, just as long s=as God keeps tweeking my sense of humor here.  When God says enuf, I’ll just yawn.

    June 28, 2016 at 11:08 pm#815326
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    God offers more.

    Salvation from His wrath in Jesus Christ.

    June 29, 2016 at 4:02 pm#815345
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Yepper deppers, Nick.  That’s why I just told you I step quickly way off the road when you come barreling down on your high horse.

    June 29, 2016 at 11:18 pm#815370
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    The vain musings of men are more attractive to many rather than hearing the voice of the Spirit.

    June 30, 2016 at 11:42 am#815377
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hello, Nick,

    You’d be the one to know on that one, the expert on listening and providing only  the   vain musings of men, specifically yours. You are just having too much fun mocking and trying to embarrass those of the Christian faith.

    June 30, 2016 at 12:15 pm#815379
    Miia
    Participant

    Hi Miia,

    If you’re willing to consider the possibility that “The Trinity” may be correct,
    why not consider the possibility both views might be part of a bigger truth:

    (I explain this concept in the following thread…)

    Trinity and non-Trinity

    Thanks. I’ll take another look later.

    June 30, 2016 at 4:19 pm#815387
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    Your god is not of the bible but of the vain imaginings of foolish men.

    Go back to the prophetic word.

    Time is short.

     

    June 30, 2016 at 6:24 pm#815392
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Sure seems to me, Nick, that you should do the same.

    June 30, 2016 at 10:38 pm#815393
    Miia
    Participant

    HH, your posts are quite a blessing.

    I think everyone’s a blessing in their own way, even if we don’t realize it:)

    June 30, 2016 at 11:16 pm#815395
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Thank  you, Miia.  Glad I am of some real help to you.

    July 1, 2016 at 3:24 am#815401
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    If you go beyond a scriptural foundation into mystical speculation then you go beyond the blessing of our Father.

    But most of the world do walk that way.

    July 1, 2016 at 10:33 am#815407
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    HH

    Some of what Nick says is true even if he doubts the salvation of all but himself.

    When he says that the Trinity is not true, he speaks correctly.

    Please do not throw out the baby with the bath water.

    Paul spoke the truth when he said:

    “For us there is one God the Father”.

    And if you replace the world ‘God’ in scripture with ‘Father’, it makes sense. Try replacing the word ‘God’ with ‘Trinity’ and watch the scripture fall apart.

    God in scripture is the Father and for us he is our God. Are you one of us?

    First commandment is to honour this God and have no other.

    Jesus told us to not break the commandments and the first one is primary.

    July 1, 2016 at 4:20 pm#815428
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hello, t8,

    In a serious theological discussion, one main rule is that you do no demean the faith of your opponents or personally attack them in any way. When members don’t honor that rule, I’m through with them.

    July 1, 2016 at 8:53 pm#815446
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    Nobody is attacking you personally.

    Pulling men from the fire is a positive thing.

    July 2, 2016 at 9:15 am#815452
    kerwin
    Participant

    hoghead1,

    That may be the rule of modern theology but I doubt it as reducing an absurdity is acceptable as is attacking the soundness or validity of an argument. Otherwise debate becomes vain as the rules reduce its purpose to nothing.

    Attack on the person is a fallacy unless it is related in some way to the argument being way. Creditably is one acceptable attack such as you launched against the Lexicon and Interlinear Version on bible.com and the web in general is an example. In fact you were attacking the honesty of the website and perhaps by extension their faith.

    Jesus attacked the person of Pharisees on repeated occasions but you attempt to set him above other human being as a result of your indoctrination in the Trinity. In doing so you forget that we are to follow him and do and he does.

    July 2, 2016 at 11:42 am#815457
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hello, Kerwin,

    I don’t think you quite get the picture.  Let me try and be clearer. In modern-day theology, the emphasis in on mutual respect and understanding, not condemnation.  You can disagree all you want with someone.  In fact, that is encouraged.  However, you need to focus on the arguments, not take cheap shots are your opponent’s character.  The problem in the past was that  such disagreements led to all kinds of denunciations, persecution.  Those who disagree are all possessed by the Devil, etc.  The Protestant Reformers called the Pope the Anti-Christ, and the Catholic church responded by condemning all the Protestants to Hell, etc.  Such has been the  downside of religion.  Unfortunately, strong residuals yet remain today. Above, you referred to my “indoctrination” into Trinitarian belief. Now that is being very disrespectful and flamming.  What next?  All us academics are effete intellectual snobs? You forget that one. OK, flame wars are fun and tempting.  I can rear back and let you have it as being some sort of anti-intellectual redneck an then you can let me have it as being some sort of Pharisee, and on and on.  However, that is totally counter-productive in a serious theological dialogue.

    Next, about going to online sites for quick reads:  Many sites really aren’t very credible.  You should carefully check out the site, not just grab up  material from it.  For example, Wikipedia is OK for a quick read, but very, very superficial.  Also, it has many citations that need careful editing and qualifications.  Most professors I know, and I do this myself, encourage students to look to more solid sites and sources.  Trying to muster up an argument based on a quick read on a biblical language you really don’t know  is maybe OK for  very informal presentation, close enough for Sunday-school work,  but really doesn’t even begin to  cut the mustard in any in-depth discussion, where it wouldn’t count for squat.

    July 2, 2016 at 3:21 pm#815463
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    You were the one who said that you think that some of the biblical writers are prejudice. Thus inferring that all scripture is not God-breathed.  It helped me to understand why you believe in a what you do My point was to simply say that scripture has much to say on the nature of God and your technique allows you to write off any verses you want meaning that you are at liberty to ignore certain scripture thus giving you a perceived advantage toward your own conclusions which of course any truth seeking individual would not take seriously. if your doctrines do not fit with the full witness of scripture, then it cannot be a scriptural doctrine.

    I am allowed to point your weakness in interpreting scripture if you are engaging in a theological discussion with me. No one is judging you harshly or demeaning you. I am simply pointing out what you yourself have publicly revealed and used in forming at least one belief. So I simply point out a weakness in your theological argument methodology.

    I encourage you to allow all scripture a place in any theological debate we have allowing a fair debate. By letting scripture speak for itself without being prejudice, we should be able to prove or disprove any biblical doctrine.

    After all, if biblical doctrine is derived from the Bible, then saying that some of the Bible is prejudice is going to open up freedom of selecting scripture and denying others. Thus opening that can of worms up will not lead to a true biblical debate on any subject.

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