Early Evidence for the Trinity
Very often in discussions on the Trinity the focus is on the divinity of Jesus. Yet we have to remember that there is a Holy Spirit in there as well. In reading the Shepherd of Hermas, a very early text (mid second century), I came across this verse: “The preexistent holy spirit, which created the whole creation, God caused to live in the flesh that he wished.” (59:5) This is language that could fit comfortably within trinitarian beliefs. This is very helpful for us to see the proto-trinitarian beliefs of the early church.
Again we find you quoting non Biblical writings as some proof text of Trinitarianism. Remember, as I quoted prior, this writer ALSO stated that Holy Spirit was Jesus, which is modalism, not Trinitarianism.
FACT:
The Bible NEVER calls the Holy Spirit GOD.
EVER.
PERIOD.
Besides, you don’t believe the Holy Spirit is God anyway. You believe the Holy Spirit is a person *OF* a Triune God. Cus YOUR God is a trinity of 3 persons.
What do you say the Holy Spirit is? Power? Force? How do you lie or grieve force? The Spirit has some personal attributes. Is he another angel?
Hum.. How do we lie to or grieve a “force?” The spirit has some personal attributes, so it must be a person right?
Here is something to chew on:
Here in the book of Proverbs & Ecc. we find something that:
5:12 – despised
6:18 – plots
14:10 – knows
15:28 – learns
16:9 – plans
18:12 – is haughty
18:15 – gets knowledge
19:3 – rages
23:15 – is wise
23:17 – envies
23:23 – speaks
24:2 – studies
24:17 – is glad
27:11 – has joy
21:11 – trusts
Ecc
1:13 – seeks and investigates
1:16 – spoken to and sees
1:17 – knows
2:10 – rejoices
7:22- knows
8:5 – knows
11:9 – glad
Wow sound like a person to me huh? Yep, it must be a person…..
oops…. it isn’t a person now is it? It is the HEART.
Study, Study, study.
You are not treating the different genres of the Bible with respect. The wisdom books have a very different way of using language than history or epistles. We would expect emotions to be treated in such a way. Acts and Paul’s letters are used in a very different way. A reading that reflects the genre would suggest that Luke and Paul saw the Spirit as having personal attributes.