Sunday, December 15, 2013

Theology Proper: The Doctrine of Elohim


Theology Proper:

The Doctrine of Elohim

What does the Bible teach about Elohim?

 

Elohim as Triune
Elohim as Triune: Preliminaries

·      The Bible nowhere uses the word "Trinity."

·      So there is no way that anyone can cite a singular text of Scripture to prove the existence of the Trinity;

·      Rather, to speak about the doctrine of the Trinity is to speak summarily about three interrelating, inextricable doctrines that may be set forth in the following propositions:

·      Each of the propositions may be demonstrated from Scripture.

·      Taken together, these three propositions have come to be known as the doctrine of the Trinity.

·      The one Elohim exists in three fully divine persons.

 

1.    There is only one true and living Elohim.

2.    Elohim exists in three persons.

3.    The three persons are each fully Elohim.

 

·      One final note on the relationship between the doctrine of the Trinity and the attributes of Elohim:

·      Since the one Elohim exists in three, fully divine persons, all of the attributes apply equally and fully to each member of the Elohimhead.

 

Proposition 1
There is only one true and living Elohim

·       Isaiah 45:5-7: I am YHWH, and there is no other; besides Me there is no Elohim. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other , the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am YHWH who does all these.

·       Isaiah 45:21: Declare and set forth your case; indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And there is no other Elohim besides Me, a righteous Elohim and a savior; there is none except Me.

·       Deuteronomy 4:35: To you it was shown that you might know that YHWH, He is Elohim; there is no other besides Him.

·       Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! YHWH is our Elohim, YHWH is one!

·       I Kings 8:59-60: And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before YHWH, be near to YHWH our Elohim day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that YHWH is Elohim; there is no one else.

·       Mark 12:29: Yahshua answered, "The foremost is,

·       HEAR, O ISRAEL! YHWH OUR Elohim IS ONE Yahweh . . .'"

·       Romans 3:29-30: Or is Elohim the Elohim Y'hudim only? Is He not the Elohim of the Goyim also? Yes, of the Goyim also, since indeed Elohim, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

·       I Corinthians 8:4: Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no Elohim but one.

·       I Timothy 2:5: For there is one Elohim, and one mediator also between Elohim and men, the man Mashiyach Yahshua.

·       James 2:19: You believe that Elohim is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

 

·       There are two reasons to say that there is only one true and living Elohim in a discussion of His triune essence:

 

1.     First, the Bible teaches that Elohim exists in three persons.

2.     Second, the Bible teaches that the three persons are each fully Elohim.

3.     From these two propositions alone, we MAY (incorrectly) conclude that there are three Messianic Elohim; thus denying monotheism.

 

·      So, is it really necessary, in a discussion of the Triune nature and essence of Elohim to say that there is only one true and living Elohim?

·      ABSOLUTELY!

 

Proposition 2
Elohim exists in three persons

·      There are three persons who make up Elohim:

 

-Father

-Son

-Holy Spirit

 

·       Matthew 28:19: Elohim therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

·       II Corinthians 13:14: The grace of Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach, and the love of Elohim, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

 

·       To understand this proposition more clearly, we can formulate it in this way:

 

1.     The Father, the Son, and Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) are one Elohim: yet

2.     The Father is not the Son

3.     and neither the Father nor the Son are Ruach HaKodesh.

 

·       To say that the Father is not the Son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit indicates that there are genuine distinctions within the essence of Elohim.

·       To say that the one Elohim exists in three persons does not mean

 

1.     That the one Elohim is three human beings, or even should be conceived as human beings;

2.     That the one Elohim can be divided into three parts;

3.     That the one Elohim can exist separately or independently of any of himself;

 

·       Rather to say that the one Elohim exists in three persons means that the one Elohim is made up of three distinct, self-conscious egos which act in distinct yet coordinate ways.

 

·       Is it really necessary to say that the Father is not the Son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit?

·       ABSOLUTELY!

 

·       There are two reasons to say that the Father is not the son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit.

 

1.     First, as we have seen, the Bible teaches that Elohim is one (Prop 1).

2.     Second, the Bible teaches that the Father is Elohim, the Son is Elohim, and the Spirit is Elohim (Prop 3).

 

·       From these two propositions alone we may conclude that the language of Father, Son, and Spirit are simply different modes or expressions of behaviors of the one Elohim; thus, denying that Elohim exists in three distinct, self-conscious, egos.

 

·       The Father is not the Son

            -Hebrews 7:25: Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near        to Elohim through Him, since He always lives to make intersession for them.

            -I John 2:1: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may   not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yahshua         Mashiyach  the righteous.

            -John 1:1, 2, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim,   and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim . . . . 14And the            Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the       only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth.

            John 17:1, 24: 1Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to Heaven, He     said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify you . . . . 24Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me       before the foundation of the world."

            -Galatians 4:4-5: But when the fullness of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who       were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

           
-See Ephesians 1:3-12

 

·      Neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit

            -Mark 1:9-11: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was           baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw       the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice    came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.

            -II Thessalonians 2:13-14: But we should always give thanks to Elohim for you,          brethren beloved by Adonai, because Elohim has chosen you from the beginning          for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for     this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Adonai   Yahshua Mashiyach..

            -I Peter 1:2: . . . according to the foreknowledge of Elohim the Father, by the             sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Yahshua Mashiyach and be sprinkled with      His blood: May grace and peace by yours in the fullest measure.

            -Acts 10:38: You know of Yahshua of Natzaret, how Elohim anointed Him with         the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing        all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him.

            -Titus 3:4-6: But when the kindness of our Savior and His love for mankind          appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in   righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and        renewing by the Holy spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Yahshua         Mashiyach our Savior.

            -Romans 15:13: Now may the Elohim of hope fill you with all joy and peace in   believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

            -Jude 20-21: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most Holy faith,       praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, waiting         anxiously for the Mercy of our Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach to eternal life.   

            -Ephesians 4:4-6: There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called     in one hope of your calling; one Yahweh, one faith, one baptism, one Elohim and       Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

            -Galatians 4:6: Because you are sons, Elohim has sent forth the spirit of His son          into our hearts, crying, "Abba Father!"

            Ephesians 1: 13-14:  In Him, you also, after listening to the message for truth,          the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with      the Holy spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a           view to the redemption of Elohim's inheritance, with a view to the redemption of           Elohim's own             possession, to the praise of His glory.

            -Ephesians 2:18: . . . for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to           the Father.

 

Distinctive Persons with Distinctive Roles

The Economy of the Trinity
Proposition 2
Elohim in Three Persons

·      The Son is subordinate to the Father in role and relationship

          -I John 4:14:  We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the   Savior of the world.

            -John 3:16: For Elohim so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son,   that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

            -John 6:38: For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the     will of Him who sent Me.

            -Philippians 2:8: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by       becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

            -Hebrews 5:8: Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things        which He suffered.

 

·      The Holy Spirit is Subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship

 

-In creation (Hebrews 1:2 w/Genesis 1:2

          Hebrews 1: 1-2: Elohim, after he spoke long ago to the fathers ion the             prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom        also He made the world.

            Genesis 1:2: The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the    surface of the deep, and the Spirit of Elohim was moving over the surface of     the waters.     

 

·       The Son is subordinate to the Father in role and relationship

·       Like a human father and son relationship, the Heavenly Father directs, guides, leads, and commands while the Eternal Son submits, follows, and obeys.

·       The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship

            -in redemption

·      John 14:28: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

·      John 15:26: When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.

·      Implied in Ephesians 1:3-14

·      The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship.

·      The Holy Spirit is the Father's and Son's agent in carrying out their purposes in creation and redemption.

·      The roles and relationships of the members of Elohim are depicted below.

-The Holy Spirit is subordinate in role and in relationship to the Father and the Son.

-The Son is subordinate in role and in relationship to the Father.

 



 

 


Rounded Rectangle:                         Son                                   



 


Rounded Rectangle:                   Holy Spirit                                                                                

 

·      Watershed texts depicting the differences in role and relationship between the members of the Trinity:

-John 14:16-26

-John 16:5-14

 

 

 

Distinctive Persons with

Distinctive Roles

The Ontological Trinity

 

·      Summary

-The distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit indicates differences in role and relationship.

-These differences are most apparent to us in what has come to be known as the economy of the Trinity, or the Economic Trinity, where economy refers to the activities of the different members of Elohim with respect to creation and redemption.

 

·       In other words, Elohim has always existed as three persons, eternally before creation and redemption,.

·       This is what has come to be known as the Ontological Trinity, or the ontology of the Trinity, where ontology refers to the being of Elohim.

·       In addition, the differences in role and relationship are not arbitrary or artificial or even a product of the members' activities;

·       Rather, the differences in role and relationship exemplified by the Economic Trinity flow from the differences in role and relationship that inhere in Elohim as Elohim.

 

·       We can say that the tri-personality of Elohim is an eternal, ontological reality for the following reasons.

-Elohim is immutable (he cannot change). Therefore if He exists now as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, He has always existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

-The Father and Son acted together as father and Son before time began.

·       Ephesians 1:3:  Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Mashiyach, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

·       John 1:18: No one has seen Elohim at any time; the only begotten Elohim who is in the bosom of the father, He has explained Him.

·       John 3:17: For Elohim did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

·       Galatians 4:4: But when the fullness of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.

·       John 17:15: Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

·       Hebrews 1:1-2: Elohim, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Conclusion

·      Proposition 1: There is only one true and living Elohim.

·      Proposition 2: Elohim exists in three persons.

 -The persons are self-conscious egos.

-The persons have different roles and relationships in the very being of Elohim (The ontological Trinity) that work themselves out in the activity of Elohim (the economic Trinity).

 

Theology on Elohim


Theology Proper:

The Doctrine of Elohim

What does the Bible teach about Elohim?

 

Elohim as Triune
Elohim as Triune: Preliminaries

·      The Bible nowhere uses the word "Trinity."

·      So there is no way that anyone can cite a singular text of Scripture to prove the existence of the Trinity;

·      Rather, to speak about the doctrine of the Trinity is to speak summarily about three interrelating, inextricable doctrines that may be set forth in the following propositions:

·      Each of the propositions may be demonstrated from Scripture.

·      Taken together, these three propositions have come to be known as the doctrine of the Trinity.

·      The one Elohim exists in three fully divine persons.

 

1.    There is only one true and living Elohim.

2.    Elohim exists in three persons.

3.    The three persons are each fully Elohim.

 

·      One final note on the relationship between the doctrine of the Trinity and the attributes of Elohim:

·      Since the one Elohim exists in three, fully divine persons, all of the attributes apply equally and fully to each member of the Elohimhead.

 

Proposition 1
There is only one true and living Elohim

·       Isaiah 45:5-7: I am YHWH, and there is no other; besides Me there is no Elohim. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other , the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am YHWH who does all these.

·       Isaiah 45:21: Declare and set forth your case; indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And there is no other Elohim besides Me, a righteous Elohim and a savior; there is none except Me.

·       Deuteronomy 4:35: To you it was shown that you might know that YHWH, He is Elohim; there is no other besides Him.

·       Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! YHWH is our Elohim, YHWH is one!

·       I Kings 8:59-60: And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before YHWH, be near to YHWH our Elohim day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that YHWH is Elohim; there is no one else.

·       Mark 12:29: Yahshua answered, "The foremost is,

·       HEAR, O ISRAEL! YHWH OUR Elohim IS ONE Yahweh . . .'"

·       Romans 3:29-30: Or is Elohim the Elohim Y'hudim only? Is He not the Elohim of the Goyim also? Yes, of the Goyim also, since indeed Elohim, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

·       I Corinthians 8:4: Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no Elohim but one.

·       I Timothy 2:5: For there is one Elohim, and one mediator also between Elohim and men, the man Mashiyach Yahshua.

·       James 2:19: You believe that Elohim is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

 

·       There are two reasons to say that there is only one true and living Elohim in a discussion of His triune essence:

 

1.     First, the Bible teaches that Elohim exists in three persons.

2.     Second, the Bible teaches that the three persons are each fully Elohim.

3.     From these two propositions alone, we MAY (incorrectly) conclude that there are three Messianic Elohim; thus denying monotheism.

 

·      So, is it really necessary, in a discussion of the Triune nature and essence of Elohim to say that there is only one true and living Elohim?

·      ABSOLUTELY!

 

Proposition 2
Elohim exists in three persons

·      There are three persons who make up Elohim:

 

-Father

-Son

-Holy Spirit

 

·       Matthew 28:19: Elohim therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

·       II Corinthians 13:14: The grace of Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach, and the love of Elohim, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

 

·       To understand this proposition more clearly, we can formulate it in this way:

 

1.     The Father, the Son, and Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) are one Elohim: yet

2.     The Father is not the Son

3.     and neither the Father nor the Son are Ruach HaKodesh.

 

·       To say that the Father is not the Son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit indicates that there are genuine distinctions within the essence of Elohim.

·       To say that the one Elohim exists in three persons does not mean

 

1.     That the one Elohim is three human beings, or even should be conceived as human beings;

2.     That the one Elohim can be divided into three parts;

3.     That the one Elohim can exist separately or independently of any of himself;

 

·       Rather to say that the one Elohim exists in three persons means that the one Elohim is made up of three distinct, self-conscious egos which act in distinct yet coordinate ways.

 

·       Is it really necessary to say that the Father is not the Son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit?

·       ABSOLUTELY!

 

·       There are two reasons to say that the Father is not the son and that neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit.

 

1.     First, as we have seen, the Bible teaches that Elohim is one (Prop 1).

2.     Second, the Bible teaches that the Father is Elohim, the Son is Elohim, and the Spirit is Elohim (Prop 3).

 

·       From these two propositions alone we may conclude that the language of Father, Son, and Spirit are simply different modes or expressions of behaviors of the one Elohim; thus, denying that Elohim exists in three distinct, self-conscious, egos.

 

·       The Father is not the Son

            -Hebrews 7:25: Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near        to Elohim through Him, since He always lives to make intersession for them.

            -I John 2:1: My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may   not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yahshua         Mashiyach  the righteous.

            -John 1:1, 2, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim,   and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim . . . . 14And the            Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the       only begotten from the father, full of grace and truth.

            John 17:1, 24: 1Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to Heaven, He     said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify you . . . . 24Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me       before the foundation of the world."

            -Galatians 4:4-5: But when the fullness of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who       were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

           
-See Ephesians 1:3-12

 

·      Neither the Father nor the Son is the Holy Spirit

            -Mark 1:9-11: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was           baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw       the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and a voice    came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well pleased.

            -II Thessalonians 2:13-14: But we should always give thanks to Elohim for you,          brethren beloved by Adonai, because Elohim has chosen you from the beginning          for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for     this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Adonai   Yahshua Mashiyach..

            -I Peter 1:2: . . . according to the foreknowledge of Elohim the Father, by the             sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Yahshua Mashiyach and be sprinkled with      His blood: May grace and peace by yours in the fullest measure.

            -Acts 10:38: You know of Yahshua of Natzaret, how Elohim anointed Him with         the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing        all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him.

            -Titus 3:4-6: But when the kindness of our Savior and His love for mankind          appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in   righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and        renewing by the Holy spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Yahshua         Mashiyach our Savior.

            -Romans 15:13: Now may the Elohim of hope fill you with all joy and peace in   believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

            -Jude 20-21: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most Holy faith,       praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, waiting         anxiously for the Mercy of our Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach to eternal life.   

            -Ephesians 4:4-6: There is one body and one spirit, just as also you were called     in one hope of your calling; one Yahweh, one faith, one baptism, one Elohim and       Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

            -Galatians 4:6: Because you are sons, Elohim has sent forth the spirit of His son          into our hearts, crying, "Abba Father!"

            Ephesians 1: 13-14:  In Him, you also, after listening to the message for truth,          the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with      the Holy spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a           view to the redemption of Elohim's inheritance, with a view to the redemption of           Elohim's own             possession, to the praise of His glory.

            -Ephesians 2:18: . . . for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to           the Father.

 

Distinctive Persons with Distinctive Roles

The Economy of the Trinity
Proposition 2
Elohim in Three Persons

·      The Son is subordinate to the Father in role and relationship

          -I John 4:14:  We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the   Savior of the world.

            -John 3:16: For Elohim so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son,   that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

            -John 6:38: For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the     will of Him who sent Me.

            -Philippians 2:8: Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by       becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

            -Hebrews 5:8: Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things        which He suffered.

 

·      The Holy Spirit is Subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship

 

-In creation (Hebrews 1:2 w/Genesis 1:2

          Hebrews 1: 1-2: Elohim, after he spoke long ago to the fathers ion the             prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom        also He made the world.

            Genesis 1:2: The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the    surface of the deep, and the Spirit of Elohim was moving over the surface of     the waters.     

 

·       The Son is subordinate to the Father in role and relationship

·       Like a human father and son relationship, the Heavenly Father directs, guides, leads, and commands while the Eternal Son submits, follows, and obeys.

·       The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship

            -in redemption

·      John 14:28: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

·      John 15:26: When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.

·      Implied in Ephesians 1:3-14

·      The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and the Son in role and relationship.

·      The Holy Spirit is the Father's and Son's agent in carrying out their purposes in creation and redemption.

·      The roles and relationships of the members of Elohim are depicted below.

-The Holy Spirit is subordinate in role and in relationship to the Father and the Son.

-The Son is subordinate in role and in relationship to the Father.

 


 

 


Rounded Rectangle:                         Son                                   


 


Rounded Rectangle:                   Holy Spirit                                                                                

 

·      Watershed texts depicting the differences in role and relationship between the members of the Trinity:

-John 14:16-26

-John 16:5-14

 

 

 

Distinctive Persons with

Distinctive Roles

The Ontological Trinity

 

·      Summary

-The distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit indicates differences in role and relationship.

-These differences are most apparent to us in what has come to be known as the economy of the Trinity, or the Economic Trinity, where economy refers to the activities of the different members of Elohim with respect to creation and redemption.

 

·       In other words, Elohim has always existed as three persons, eternally before creation and redemption,.

·       This is what has come to be known as the Ontological Trinity, or the ontology of the Trinity, where ontology refers to the being of Elohim.

·       In addition, the differences in role and relationship are not arbitrary or artificial or even a product of the members' activities;

·       Rather, the differences in role and relationship exemplified by the Economic Trinity flow from the differences in role and relationship that inhere in Elohim as Elohim.

 

·       We can say that the tri-personality of Elohim is an eternal, ontological reality for the following reasons.

-Elohim is immutable (he cannot change). Therefore if He exists now as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, He has always existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

-The Father and Son acted together as father and Son before time began.

·       Ephesians 1:3:  Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Adonai Yahshua Mashiyach, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Mashiyach, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

·       John 1:18: No one has seen Elohim at any time; the only begotten Elohim who is in the bosom of the father, He has explained Him.

·       John 3:17: For Elohim did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

·       Galatians 4:4: But when the fullness of the time came, Elohim sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.

·       John 17:15: Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

·       Hebrews 1:1-2: Elohim, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Conclusion

·      Proposition 1: There is only one true and living Elohim.

·      Proposition 2: Elohim exists in three persons.

 -The persons are self-conscious egos.

-The persons have different roles and relationships in the very being of Elohim (The ontological Trinity) that work themselves out in the activity of Elohim (the economic Trinity).