It is sometimes possible to find a bit of honesty when reading about the history of the "church" within Christian literature regarding the Trinity and other mangod-Messiah doctrines. I am referring to the frank admission within such writings that the notion of the Trinity, and thus other mangod doctrines, is absent from both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the New Testament. For instance:
A major problem in formulating the doctrine of the Trinity related to the Old Testament monotheistic belief. How could the church recognize the belief that God is one and yet acknowledge the deity of Christ? In its beginnings the church had no clear concept of the Trinity, ...
Enns, P. P. (1997, c1989). The Moody handbook of theology. Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press.
So we see in the previous quote that a "major problem" that had to be overcome before "formulating" the Trinity, for which there is "no clear concept" found in the pages of the New Testament, was "the Old Testament monotheistic belief."
In the NT the monotheistic convictions of Judaism are taken for granted. The ‘first of all the commandments’ according to Jesus is the Shema, the affirmation of the oneness of God (Mark 12:29). The NT Letters also emphasize the oneness of God (1 Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:5) and correlate it with the one Lord or mediator and the one faith and baptism. ... Nevertheless the close association of Jesus with God seems to lead toward the seeing of monotheism in a different way, wherein deity has inner distinction as well as unity. The implications of this are not yet worked out within the NT and only beginnings toward an answer are presented.
Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper's Bible dictionary.
The author correctly points out that "in the New Testament the monotheistic convictions of Judaism are taken for granted." He also writes truth when he emphasizes how the oneness of God was a principle upon which Yeshua and the authors of the NT based their faith. However, the author provides evidence of a change that took place somewhere as the church began to be led "toward the seeing of monotheism in a different way." Actually, monotheism was abandoned by the "church fathers" - a tragic and severe withdrawal from truth that continues to this day. There is also an admission in the quote that the "implications of this (the church's new hybrid "monotheism") are not yet worked out within the NT." In other words my friend, the form of "monotheism" promoted by Christianity, which is actually ancient mystery Babylon polytheism, is not found in the New Testament!
The Tanakh (Old Testament) is firm and uncompromising in its promotion of ONE and ONLY ONE G-d. Within the Tanakh Monotheism is the ONE and ONLY expression of the "nature" of G-d. This article will focus upon how the notion of a "Trinity," or any other mangod-Messiah teaching, is a fundamental violation of the clear understanding of the ONE and ONLY true G-d found within the pages of the foundational Hebraic Scriptures. Therefore, the Christian doctrines of a "G-d incarnate" Messiah are grossly erroneous and nothing less than pure, polytheistic idolatry! Christian and counterfeit Messianic leaders have turned the TRUE monotheism upside down that is "taken for granted" within the writings of the New Testament.
In the Tanakh (Old Testament), especially the Torah (Genesis - Deuteronomy), there are few more forceful, often repeated warnings from God than the direct command against following after "other gods". This prohibition is, of course, among the Ten Commandments written upon the tablets of stone. The practice of following after "other gods" is the very epitome of idolatry, which is THE most abhorrent sin in the entire Bible. Though there may be a difference of opinion as to what constitutes idolatry, none that claim allegiance to the Bible will argue against the fact it is strictly forbidden. The verses presented in this writing will be from the King James Version AND the JPS Tanakh.
You will note from the verses previously quoted that.
The covenant we are to have with God is literally a spiritual marriage contract. It is for this reason idolatry is equated to adultery or harlotry all throughout Scripture and why idolaters are called adulterers, harlots, or whores. The jealousy of God is as a husband towards the wife that adulterously betrayed him. This is also, by the way, a basis for God's view of the sanctity of marriage. Except in the most extreme and obvious circumstances, divorce is a dagger to the heart of all that is holy and spitting in the face of God (and, of course, the betrayed spouse). Of course, adultery is ALWAYS inexcusable and wicked. Those victimized by such betrayal know all too well the intense, lasting pain that is inflicted upon God whenever we break our covenant with Him - a pain that is only healed when we repent, renew our vows, and join again in the marriage covenant to which we are called.
At this point no Christian or Christianized Messianic will argue. All agree that the Bible strictly forbids idolatry. However, one is hard pressed to defend Roman Catholicism's open embrace and promotion of icons, shrines, and images of all sorts - most notably the blasphemously horrid veneration of the "blessed virgin Mary". Sadly, like I've said in another article, Roman Catholics are like fish not realizing they are wet. They are oblivious to the fact that they swim in abominable teachings, and most do not even care to read the Scriptures to correct it. Nevertheless, even they teach, in their distorted manner, that the veneration of false gods is forbidden.
But how can one easily determine what constitutes a "god(s)" of which worship was forbidden? At first glance, this issue opens a big can of worms from which opinions crawl and slither all over the place. So, how can we quickly and assuredly determine exactly what God meant when he instructed us to refrain from going after "other gods?"
As always, the Pure Word of the Eternal God provides the answer, and it is at this point we can begin to see how widespread idolatry is, even among the most devoted believers. The clearest discussion of this actually comprises an entire chapter in the book of Deuteronomy (Devarim). Please do not be slack in your reading of this extremely important passage of Scripture. It may be lengthy; however, it is among the most important passages in all the Bible. If more Christians and Messianics were aware of the crucial nature of this text and insured that their beliefs were held to the standard it defines, the grip of idolatry in the world would be dealt a severe blow.
There are numerous similar passages that unambiguously warn against teachings that promote "other god(s)." A short list is provided separately, and although there are many more passages I may reference, I think Deuteronomy 13 requires no additional support for the point I wish to make.
What is the VERY clear distinguishing feature of the "other gods" to which the God refers in His commandment? What seems to be repeated, both above in Deuteronomy (Devarim) 13 and in the other verses listed separately? Is it not obvious? The means by which Israel was to determine whether or not the god they were being instructed to follow is the True God is the following. As you read it pay particular attention to the clear implication in the use of pronouns (i.e. them, they, their):
It is irrefutable that the means given by God in His eternal Torah by which Israel and all other TRUE followers of the One and Only God were to determine if someone was promoting a false god was by comparing that god to THEIR historic definition and understanding of YHVH Elohim! If the god being promoted was different - if the god being promoted was "in addition to" - if the god being promoted was foreign to THEIR historic experience and teachings - they were to forcefully oppose and reject it! They were to use their common sense, historic understanding of God to determine if false gods were being preached! They were not to use the un-Hebraic Constantinian Christian understanding of God.
GOD DOES NOT CHANGE! Despite the implication of Traditional Christian and counterfeit Messianic Judaism leaders, I assure you God is still on the job and is the same God Moses and all the children of Israel knew when Torah was given. The exact same historic reference they were to use to determine if the god being promoted or prophesied for was the True God, is what we should use today. Therefore, ANY concept of god that differs from THEIR understanding of God during the days of Moses is a false god.
I hope no one is fool enough to embarrass him or herself by somehow trying to prove that the Trinity, or the understanding that Messiah is "God in the flesh," was the accepted and standard understanding Israel had of their God! I have NEVER come across even a hint that pre or post-Yeshua Judaism entertained the idea that God was - or ever would be - an "incarnate man." Additionally, the concept of Messiah being anything other than a 100% human is absent from Traditional Hebraic thought. There is NOTHING in Traditional, Hebraic thought that suggest Messiah would be God! The fact that the standard, traditional, historic, unyielding Hebraic understanding was that God was ONE and ONLY One, and that Messiah was not and would not be God is as clear a fact of religion as is possible to find. (I discuss the easily refuted claims made by many Christianized Messianics regarding the Hebrew word for "God," elohim, and "One," echad, in a separate article.)
The absence in Traditional Hebraic thought of the "incarnate" man-God of Constantinian Christianity and counterfeit Messianic Judaism, is PROOF that such an understanding of God is false! Furthermore, those presenting such a god are not only guilty of idolatry, but are also guilty of the even worse sin of leading others into idolatry! Frankly, due to the simplicity of the deity issue, I am of the opinion some of them are well aware they are promoting a false god.
The currently accepted mystery/mystical godhead of Christianity and Christianized Messianic Judaism was not conceived until centuries after Yeshua's death, being first authorized by the Nicean council of 325 C.E. during the reign of Emperor Constantine Thus, Constantinian Christianity and counterfeit Messianic Judaism are clearly promoting a Constantinian god that vastly differs from the historic, accepted understanding that God told us to rely upon for determining truth.
It is also clear that the knowledge to which God referred in His direct warning to Israel was COMMON SENSE KNOWLEDGE. It was not some sort of "hidden or mystical" knowledge! Therefore, the attempt by counterfeit Messianic Jews to somehow prove from Kabbalah mysticism that Yeshua is God is shown to be grotesquely false. Those that attempt such mystic slight-of-hand are among the world's most arrogant and self-exalted humans as they imply that Israel did not know who God was! What madness! They actually implicitly teach that not even Moses really understood God. I bet my eternal life on the fact Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, etc. knew far better than today's Traditional Christian and counterfeit Messianic leaders exactly who - and what - God (YHVH) is!
I challenge anyone to prove that Traditional Hebraic thought, or historic Israel, ever understood God as a Triune being. I further challenge anyone to prove that Traditional Hebraic thought ever understood God to be prophesied as being the Messiah. The mere fact that such concepts of God were NOT part of the traditional concept of God proves Yeshua is NOT God! Frankly, there is actually no more proof needed if one is true to Scripture and exalts it above the distorted teachings of Messianic Kabbalists and Christian mystery buffs.
A sure argument by those that seek to confuse the issue is the uncertainty regarding Messiah in Hebraic thought. Those presenting this argument will state that the failure of most Hebrews (Jews) to accept Yeshua as Messiah shows a failure in their understanding of God. I agree that there are differences in the understanding of Messiah and that Hebraic opinions within Ancient, pre-Messianic Judaism and post-Messianic, Rabbinic Judaism has changed somewhat regarding various Messianic verses. I feel Rabbinic Judaism has, indeed, corrupted the true picture Scripture presents of Messiah as Rabbinic "Oral" Torah (Rabbinic commentary) has grown to actually supercede Written Torah in some areas. But at no time in Hebraic thought was Messiah expected to be the Creator God! Thus, any Christian or counterfeit Messianic teaching that presents Messiah as God is presenting "other gods," which Scripture directly warns against and which NO Hebraic tradition supports - Ancient or Rabbinic.
The fact is, the confusion regarding Messiah is an entirely separate issue! One must already be of the mind to accept Messiah as "God in the flesh" for confusion over Messiah to be equated to confusion over the concept of God. For certain, no one can define God in precise terms; however, one can easily determine how many Gods there are (NOT 3 or 2 in 1) and that God is NOT an "incarnate man"! Frankly, no one can define Messiah's future actions in precise terms either, though some claim to be able to do so. I have a strong suspicion we will ALL be surprised. The fact remains that God clearly instructed Israel to base their acceptance of prophets promoting a god upon their COMMON and TRADITIONAL understanding of who and what God is. It is unalterably true that Moses and Israel knew what and who the True God is. If they had not, God's instructions would be nonsensical; therefore, any confusion over the role of Messiah was - and is - simply one of many uncertainties regarding the precise implementation of future plans of God! That is all it is.
Since Traditional Christianity has distorted the truths regarding Israel, Torah, the Kingdom of God, and most every other crucial aspect of Scripture, what would that suggest regarding the concepts they present of God and Messiah? The record of Scriptural truth within Christian doctrine is abysmal. Frankly, the false Messiah defined by Christianity is THE primary reason so many Jews continue to reject Yeshua as Messiah. They rightly refuse to accept any man as being God, and since Christianity demands they do so, they have historically rejected the "Christ" of Christianity. The false teaching of Yeshua as God has also biased them against even investing time to study what the Scriptures ACTUALLY teach regarding Yeshua. It is amazing how leaders of counterfeit Messianic Judaism can embrace so tightly the great Harlot of Revelation and cling so tenaciously to their Babylonian real estate.
So, God and Messiah are two completely different topics, and confusion over the role of Messiah CANNOT be equated to confusion over the concept of God. God and the plan of God are two separate issues. Don't let yourself be tricked into thinking otherwise.
Untold thousands or millions have died because they staunchly refused to accept the Christ-god of Christianity and Christianized, counterfeit Messianic Judaism. They chose death over idolatry. I firmly stand with the Jews in their resistance to the false, pagan, idolatrous teaching that Messiah is God, even as I fight AGAINST counterfeit Messianic leaders to try and show Jewish and non-jewish people exactly who Yeshua REALLY is.
Unfortunately, the Beastly religious system that is prophesied to have the entire world under her spell is very cunning. She has now rallied her minions, clothed herself with a tallit, appears willing to teach a little Torah, and even claims to be "Messianic". The Beast is not stupid. She realizes one can do their best to keep Torah yet still possibly fall short by worshipping a false god. Idolatry may well be a suicide pill for an otherwise spiritually healthy Messianic.
The battle for truth is growing in intensity and urgency as we near the return of our Messiah. There is a growing call for Christians and counterfeit Messianics to "embrace the mystery" of the Trinity. The numbers of those like myself has now reached a point where passive censorship and ignoring of us can no longer be done within Constantinian Christianity and Messianism. I pray you will cast aside the mystical drug being spread by counterfeit Messianic leaders and return - or discover - the ONE and ONLY True YHVH and the TRUE Messiah Yeshua.
May others awaken from the stupor of deception that is being perpetrated upon mankind and embrace the ONE God and the TRUE Shema (Deut. 6:4), which Yeshua considered the foremost of all commandments. May you heed the words of Torah.