Many Christians consider it blasphemy to imply that Jesus was only a man. Fellow Christians, please seek to read this article completely with an open mind before accusing this writer of heresy.
The word Trinity is not in the Bible. Furthermore, numerous Bible scriptures indicate that Jesus was only a human being rather than being God. I reference some of those scriptures in a subsection below.
It is sad that disputes continue over whether or not Jesus was God. Fortunately, the more time Christians devote to loving and caring for others, the less time is wasted in divisive debates.
When I was in elementary school one of the boys I played with told me that his dad said that the relationship between Jesus and God was similar to the relationship between Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus. I think the boy said that Jesus was a great man, as was Saint Nicholas, but that the idea that Jesus was God was fictional, as were the tales we typically read about Santa Claus. I think that comparison has a significant amount of truth in it.
Let’s make the world a better place by helping others. Let’s follow Paul’s advice in II Timothy 2:14 to “. . . strive not about words to no profit. . .” (KJV).
Unity and the Trinity
The issue of the Trinity is one of the biggest obstacles to accepting Christianity for a lot of nonbelievers, including many in other major monotheistic religions, such as Islam and Judaism. Even a few Christian denominations (such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons) do not accept the doctrine of the Trinity.
Personally, I became a Christian as an adult by reading the New Testament prayerfully with an open mind. During my reading, I saw no mention of the Trinity. Even after reading the entire New Testament, I did not understand how Jesus could be God.
If we acquire a better understanding of what the Bible says, maybe we can then better help unite Christians and become more effective in witnessing to nonbelievers. I think the Bible clearly demonstrates Jesus' humanity.
Who knows? If Jesus had more closely followed his own instructions to love even one's enemies, instead of turning over tables in the temple and driving out the buyers and sellers, he might have experienced a longer ministry. (See Mark 11:15–16, Matthew 21:12, and Luke 19:45 for this story). Even if Jesus' indignation was justified, I believe it could have been exhibited more effectively. That violent action was a key factor in the series of events that led to his crucifixion soon afterward, in my opinion.
I cited the above story from the three synoptic gospels. However, John 2:13–15 contains a similar description.
John's gospel is probably the book used most often by Christians who seek to “prove” the truth of the Trinity. To help individuals appreciate how even Christians can reject the divinity of Jesus, I will discuss several quotes from the book of John. Many consider John to be the greatest book in the Bible.
Analyzing Some Quotes from the Book of John
In the book of John and the other gospels, numerous references are made to Jesus praying. I never understood why Christians considered Jesus God if Jesus needed to pray.
I do not believe God needs to pray. If God did pray, whom would God pray to? Yet, Jesus prayed regularly. Thus, rather than being God, Jesus was a man, God’s son, who prayed to God frequently. John 17 cites one of Jesus’ many prayers. John 17:3 states, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (KJV) Therefore, Jesus was “sent” by God rather than being God.
Also, instead of calling himself God, Jesus referred to himself as “Son of man” (KJV). He did this numerous times in John and the other gospels. Of course, this does not mean he is not also a “Son of God,” since the two terms are not mutually exclusive. In fact, God is the creator of us all and in a sense the Father of us all.
As John 1:12 states, all believers receive “. . . power to become the sons of God . . .” (KJV) Therefore, we Christians are all sons of God. A major difference exists, however, between being a “son of God” and being God. And John 3:16 apparently quotes Jesus as stating that he is God's son, rather than being God.
John details many “miracles” Jesus performed: raising the dead, healing the sick, feeding multitudes with very limited food, etc. Jesus did not claim to do these on his own, though. Instead, Jesus credited God his Father. Jesus stated clearly that he could do nothing were it not for God his Father, stating in John 5:19 “. . . The Son can do nothing of himself . . .” (KJV)
Jesus makes it even clearer that he is a man and not God in John 8:40, which states, “But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God . . .” (KJV) Jesus is only a man telling the truth about God—though I might nominate Jesus as the most influential man who ever lived, the man most obedient to God.
After John reports about Jesus being crucified and resurrected, John states in John 20:17 that Jesus told Mary to “. . . go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” (KJV) Thus, he is not calling himself God, stating instead that he is going to God.
Even though Jesus was not God, as a righteous man seeking to obey God, a son of God, Jesus could pray to God his Father and receive guidance through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Jesus in a sense relayed the words of God his Father and spoke for God on many occasions. Therefore, Jesus says in John 14:9 “. . . he that hath seen me hath seen the Father . . .” (KJV) So though Jesus was not God, in a sense those who saw and heard Jesus were often seeing and hearing God, as the Holy Spirit directed Jesus’ thoughts, words, and actions. In that sense, Jesus was one with God.
In John 12:49, John records Jesus as stating clearly that God directed his words, when Jesus is quoted as stating: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” (KJV)
It is important to point out as this discussion about John ends that it is always dangerous to quote scripture, because it is very easy to take verses out of context to mislead people. Also, for unbelievers the Bible is not a credible source, so what the Bible says may be irrelevant to them. My purpose in using the quotes I cited from John was to demonstrate that the concept of Jesus being only a man rather than being God is well supported in scripture.
Persons who seek to use John or other gospels to “prove” Jesus’ divinity seem in this writer’s opinion to be only citing a few select scriptures out of context, in contrast to the numerous scriptures that refer to Jesus’ humanity. Perhaps 70 or 80 or more times in the KJV Jesus apparently calls himself “Son of man,” in addition to other references to himself as “Son” or “Son of God.” Does Jesus even once call himself God?
Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
Fellow Christians, please consider what John states on the issue rather than being too dogmatic in support of the doctrine of the Trinity. The book of John provides much evidence to oppose the idea of Jesus being God. You can find lots of additional evidence in the other gospels, as well as in the other books of the Bible—if you take the time to do so.
I hope this article has helped persons who believe in the Trinity to rethink their beliefs or at least appreciate how other Christians can believe differently. Maybe this article can also help Christians interact more effectively with Muslims, Jews, and others who accept monotheism, but cannot comprehend the Trinity.
Even more important, if we Christians focus on various areas of ministry to others such as feeding the poor, caring for the disabled, helping widows and orphans, and doing other good deeds, persons will respect us and have a positive view about our faith. They will love us more for our actions than for our words.
Our acts of service then present opportunities to share the gospel. Still, we must be sure to do so in a loving way that unites the faith on its common beliefs, rather than teaching a divisive doctrine to potential new believers that may lead them to either reject the faith or to unfairly condemn those of other denominations and faiths.
Please, let’s demonstrate love for all as Jesus taught. Remember, Jesus is recorded as commanding his followers to “Love your enemies” in part of Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27 (both KJV). By demonstrating compassionate love we can attain joy and success that lead others to ask the source of our fulfillment.
I find this to be true. People regularly compliment me on being so happy and ask why I am so happy. Then I can witness in love about the gospel.
I know, love, and respect many Christians who espouse strong beliefs in the Trinity. It is even possible (despite my disbelief) that Jesus really is God through some miracle of God.
But, as we spread the gospel, let’s all seek to avoid needless controversies over the doctrine of the Trinity. Let's avoid stating that the Trinity is Biblical, when the Bible doesn't mention it even once. Instead, let's use God’s words to build up others! When we do, we will enjoy God’s blessings!
I hope you found this article educational and beneficial. If so, maybe you want to read more of my views on true Christianity by reading a preview of my book True Christianity: It May Not Be What You Think, Third Edition, on Amazon, or by ordering a copy from Amazon or a bookstore. Below is a photo of a JPG file of the book cover.
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