Source: The Trinity: Evidences and Issues Robert Morey Chapter 17, p. 276
If the authors of the New Testament believed that Jesus was both God and man at the same time, how would they express that idea in the Greek language of their day? What words would they use to describe the person and work of Christ? We expect to find that the Son will be described as both Creator and creature; God of very God and man of very man.
The anti-Trinitarians begin with the a priori assumption that the authors of the New Testament did not believe that Jesus was divine. If their assumptions are valid, then we would not expect to find passages in the New Testament which describe Jesus as true deity. To them Jesus was only a carpenter or a prophet. Is this the view of Jesus found in the New Testament?
Those who grew up with Jesus in Nazareth assumed that He was, like his "father" Joseph, a carpenter. And, of course, for most of His life Jesus was a carpenter by trade. But to assert that He was only a carpenter is an illustration of what is called a "secular" or naturalistic view of Jesus.
If, as some modern liberals assert, Jesus never claimed to be anything more than a simple carpenter, then how can they explain all the opposition Jesus encountered in Nazareth?
Mark 6:2-4 (NASB) 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?
3 "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" And they took offense at Him.
4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household."
The opposition Jesus faced in Nazareth was generated by His powerful sermons, wonderful miracles, and astounding claims. If, as some modern secularists assert, Jesus did not claim to be anything more than a carpenter, if He did not do any miracles, and if He did not speak those sermons attributed to Him in the Gospels, then why did people get so upset? Why all the opposition? Obviously, He was more than a mere carpenter.
Nicodemus addressed Jesus as "Rabbi" and identified Him as a "teacher."
John 3:1-2 (NASB) 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Some modern Jews now accept that Jesus was one of the greatest Jewish Rabbis who ever lived. But how could the Rabbi Jesus generate so much hatred and rage from His fellow rabbis? Why all the later harsh Talmudic statements against Him? If the Rabbi Jesus never said or did anything to get anyone mad, why all the fuss?
When we consider the constant opposition Jesus encountered and the fact of His crucifixion, it is extremely unlikely that Jesus was just a simple Jewish Rabbi who never said or did anything to generate such opposition.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NASB) But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NASB) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
Gal 1:6; Mat 16:14; 1Co 12:8-10
1Jn 2:22; 4:1-3
2Jn 1:7-11
If the authors of the New Testament believed that Jesus was God as well as man, how would they express that idea? What words would they use to indicate that He is God as well as man? Trinitarians assume that the authors would use the same words which they used to indicate the deity of the Father.
Trinitarians begin with the assumption that once we accept the validity of the arguments used to prove the deity of the Father, we must accept the validity of these same arguments when applied to the Son. No amount of special pleading can overcome the simple observation that once an argument is deemed biblically and logically valid, it cannot be dismissed later on because it takes us where we do not want to go. No one should start out on the path of truth unless he is willing to accept its ultimate destination.
| Heb. equivalent | Count |
|---|---|
| אלהים (Elohim) | 2,280 |
| יהוה (YHWH) | 353 |
| אֵל (El) | 163 |
| אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) | 11 |