Home Christian Writings The true meaning of the word ‘God’ – The Trinity Doctrine Page 17

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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  • July 2, 2016 at 11:11 pm#815477
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hello, t8,

    First of all, let’s get clear on what I am saying.  Nobody comes to Scripture, with a blank mind.  Everyone reads Scripture through a lens.    Many look at Scripture through the lens provided by fundamentalaistic ideology.  Accordingly, Scripture is inerrant.  Everything in the Bible happened exactly, and to  the letter, the way the  Bible says it happened.  No question about it. Anyone doubting this is a reprobate so-and-so bound for Hell. Now, that is about the worst way to come to modern biblical studies.  The goal here is to take a more open-minded approach. The inerrancy of Scripture is a human-made theory about how God and Scripture may be related.  Like any human-made theory it should be subject to testing, which generally fundamentalists are unwilling to do, by the way.  So, in biblical studies, we say maybe Scripture is inerrant, maybe not.  Let’s check things out and then reach a conclusion.  Now I submit that when the evidence is in, the inerrancy theory doesn’t hold water. One issue is the biblical cosmology.  Since the 16th century, it has been recognized that the biblical cosmology with its flat earth and geocentric view is wrong. In modern  times, we have  learned the  Genesis account of creation in no way squares with rigorous scientific investigation and so is bogus.  That should come as no surprise, as the Bible was written by a prescientific culture. In addition, there are well documented at least 100major contradictions in Scripture. For example, 2 Sam. 21:19 says that Elhanan killed Goliath of Gath. If your Bible has the statement that Elhanan killed the brother of” Goliath,” that is inaccurate.  That was something added by later translators to cover over the contradiction here.  In the Hebrew texts, the passage simply states that Elhanan killed Goliath. Some scholars vie this as a major scribal error.  I think it reflects the fact that David encouraged his scribes to do some real spin-doctoring, though something closer to the truth still managed to leak through.  But all that is really beside the point  here, which is that there is a major contradiction here and that  it certainly isn’t the only one in the Bible, some being far more telling. And then there is the issue of what constitutes the canon and what not.  Should teh Apocrypha be in the Bible or no?  Whether it is or isn’t in your Bible simply depends on  the human  decisions of the learners of whatever church you are a member of. That’s why I said earlier that divinely inspired as it may be, the Bible is still the product of fallible humans.  Here, many make the mistake of falling into either-or thinking.  Either the Bible is all inerrant, or it is all worthless. I hold wither-or thinking is irrational, to begin with, and what underlies much neurotic ideation.  Reality is generally a shade of grey. And as I mentioned in a previous post, unless you are keeping all  the OT laws, it would appear that you have done some cherry picking, selecting out some laws, if any, from the others.  We have  to.

    When it comes to judging me harshly, you should remember that I stress personal attacks are totally inappropriate in any serious theological discussion. And yes, you and some others here have done a  fair amount of that with me. And so, yes, you bettcha I am going to fuss about that. I have a right to.

     

    July 3, 2016 at 12:21 am#815479
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    Yes belief that scripture is not divinely inspired is required if you are to promote your own ideas.

    Theology must be free from any firm foundation if it is to be truly valid?

    July 3, 2016 at 7:28 am#815486
    kerwin
    Participant

    hoghead1,

    Defamation of the character of the author of an argument or their source(s) is a fallacy.

    Not every thing is defamation.

    For example calling the witch of Endor a witch does defame her character. Calling a Pharisee a viper does not defame his character though he may believe it does and respond with calling the speaker demon possessed. (If you know Scripture there is a touch of “refined humor” in that statement.)

    There is other exceptions which are fairly well defined in Law.

    July 3, 2016 at 7:51 am#815487
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Kerwin, that kind of argument is not relevant here.  What I am talking about is the flaming going on here. The examples you are talking about are light years from the situation here.

    July 3, 2016 at 9:31 am#815489
    kerwin
    Participant

    Hoghead1,

    They are not if you look at it from the other person’s point of view. I have seen very little real flaming on this board and most of one can take as flaming is a way to disagree with the words of that one’s argument. Sometimes the spirit of the words state “I do not believe what you say”. Nick for example often voices is disbelieve in ways that some find offensive because he is being truthful in expressing his unbelief or disagreement. A flamer has a whole other attitude since it is almost a game to them. When they do it they engage in psychological warfare, a form of intimidation. There is a difference of the content as well though I cannot put my finger on it except to point out that flamers attempt to discover person’s psychological weakness in order to exploit them why a non flamer is attempting to convince the person of their error.

    There is also a difference in the content of the immature verses the more mature even when they are voicing their non belief in a persons words and therefore patience and sufferance are necessary as are ability to discern what is a flame and what is meant to express an idea. Communication is a wonderful thing.

    July 3, 2016 at 9:41 am#815490
    kerwin
    Participant

    Hoghead1,

    It is also used to change the topic here when one is uncomfortable.

    July 3, 2016 at 4:54 pm#815501
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hi, Kerwin,

    Sorry, don’t buy your argument.  Too much excuse-making for trying to hit below the belt, so to speak., as well as other poor communication skills. Also, as you rightly indicated, flaming is a way of getting off the hook.  Finding yourself frustrated to come up with a solid counter-argument, the thing you are tempted to do is to try and cheat and win by attacking the other guy’s character.  That you, you can tell yourself you are right because , after all, the other guy is a lost soul, reprobate, a child of teh Devil, you name it.

    July 3, 2016 at 7:08 pm#815505
    kerwin
    Participant

    Hoghead1,

    I could choose to mess with you but instead I will point out that your answer tells me things about you that you probably do not want to reveal as you want to look perfect.

    By the way you also falsely accuse your neighbor by sticking to that stance. It is really a sin you need to overcome. To do so you need to confess that and any other sin and pray that God will cleanse you from them all. Then perhaps he will show you the way. It won’t work until you learn to humble yourself.

    By the way if you ever manage to do then please show me the way but I can see you have not done it yet. Thank you.

    July 4, 2016 at 10:02 am#815525
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hello, Kerwin,

    Phew!  Sure am glad you decided to give me a break and not mess with me.  Big guy like you, well, you’d just make mincemeat outta me.

    July 4, 2016 at 5:43 pm#815539
    NickHassan
    Participant

    Hi hoghead,

    You think there is no essential truth so all human arguments are valid?

    Scripture is the lens through which to read scripture.

    Thy word is truth

    2 Cor 13.1

    July 7, 2016 at 9:37 am#815636
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    Hello, t8,

    First of all, let’s get clear on what I am saying.  Nobody comes to Scripture, with a blank mind.  Everyone reads Scripture through a lens.    Many look at Scripture through the lens provided by fundamentalaistic ideology.

    We can empty ourselves because we can be our own worst enemy at times. Yes the mind has a predefined picture that is how it works, but so long as you can let the word renew your mind, then you are malleable. If not then we are stubborn fools. Jesus emptied himself too.

    “But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 

    “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”

    A man who is full of his own spirit, ideas, and thought, gives no room for God. For it is God’s own spirit that reveals God to us. The spirit of a man cannot fathom anything about God by  its own.

    But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

     

    July 7, 2016 at 9:47 am#815637
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    When it comes to judging me harshly, you should remember that I stress personal attacks are totally inappropriate in any serious theological discussion.

    Do not confuse this with judging you harshly.

    He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

    What I actually do is test the teaching itself without passing final judgement on any person as to their state with God. I say this and that which I repeat from scripture and it is up to the individual to see if that scripture applies to them or not.

    We who hold scripture as being inspired by God in some way will use scripture to form the basis of truth about God and the things of him. Of course we test scripture itself too because it has been delivered to us in another language which was translated through men who often had their own bias and from texts that do have some scribal errors. We delve into the word for these and other reasons to uncover the true meaning. If however you hold that all scripture that is translated and delivered faithfully is itself  up for debate, then we will never in a million years form a consensus.

    All our brains are wired differently, thus we will all discard different scriptures with bias and form doctrines that are more desirable to us. In short we will do this:

    For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

    July 7, 2016 at 10:47 am#815642
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Yes, true, t8.

    July 7, 2016 at 11:20 am#815650
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hi again, t8,

    I still think you and some other here need to be far mare careful in what you say to me and to one another.  A lot of times you do go way over the line and inappropriately fire off inflammatory rhetoric.

    July 7, 2016 at 11:30 am#815653
    kerwin
    Participant

    hoghead1,

    I suppose inflammatory rhetoric is in the eye of the beholder though there is certainly some that is not. The worse we get here is caused by anger.

    July 7, 2016 at 1:41 pm#815667
    hoghead1
    Participant

    Hi, Kerwin,

    No, inflammatory rhetoric is not just in the yes of teh beholds.  It has to do with making disrespectful remarks that cast aspersion on the character of your opponents. You need to stick with the arguments, and not try and win by cheating and denouncing your opponent as some sort of lost soul, etc.

    July 7, 2016 at 2:14 pm#815674
    kerwin
    Participant

    Hoghead,

    I have to disagree with you on that one because not all people think a like or have the same point of view. I know you were taught that because that teaching is present in the field of psychology.

    Instead your view come more from the atmosphere that seems to be prevalent in certain places such as university campuses. There has been some articles on it that I have read and not all of them agree with it. Some deny it occurs. In pop-psychology it is refereed to as a victim mentality and at leas college and university campuses pander to it. There is exceptions but that seem to be motivated by particular biases.

    July 7, 2016 at 6:57 pm#815683
    hoghead1
    Participant

    HI, Kewrwin,

    Oh, OK, I see.  Everyone in the universities is biased.  I guess you would know.  You just told me you have a seventh-grade education.  I take that to mean no college education.  So yes, I guess from the sidelines you have such a clear view of university life.  Everyone is biased, but not you, of course. This is precisely the problem I have with your posts.  You just dump on someone, call them biased and give no evidence as to why you claim that.  Where is your evidence?  What sources of information do you have that give you so much greater knowledge than  what the field of psychotherapy has?

    July 7, 2016 at 7:03 pm#815684
    Proclaimer
    Participant

    Hoghead. I test doctrines and teachings. If you come teaching something new, I will test it with scripture. If the scripture makes a person feel threatened then it should only do that if the person falls short of what the scripture is saying. I never wrote anything in the Bible so it is not me saying it, rather repeating it.

    He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

    Yes some people will take that personally, usually because it is pertinent to them. Not saying that is the case with you, but saying that I will continue to do what I do without guilt.

    July 7, 2016 at 8:17 pm#815689
    hoghead1
    Participant

    HI again, t8,

    Remember, you are not just citing Scripture.  You are most immediately going on your understanding of Scripture, your interpretation. Question is, How accurate and reliable of a source are you on Scripture? I have my doubts there.

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