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Should You Believe in the Trinity? English (ti-E) Unless otherwise indicated. Scripture quotations are from the modern-language
Made in Canada New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures-With References, 1984 Edition
Should You Believe It?
o
D
YOU believe in the Trinity? Most peo created by God, and for this reason he must
ple in Christendom do. After all, it has have had a beginning. They teach that Jesus
been the central doctrine of the church has never been Almighty God's equal in any
es for centuries. sense; he has always been subject to God and
In view of this, you would think that there still is. They also believe that the holy ghost is
could be no question about it. But there is, and not a person but God's spirit, his active force.
lately even some of its supporters have added Supporters of the Trinity say that it is
fuel to the controversy. founded not only on religious tradition but also
Why should a subject like this be of any on the Bible. Critics of the doctrine say that it
more than passing interest? Because Jesus is not a Bible teaching, one history source even
himself said: "Eternal life is this: to know you, declaring: "The origin of the [Trinity] is entire
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you ly pagan. "- The Paganism in Our Christianity.
have sent. " So our entire future hinges on our If the Trinity is true, it is degrading to Jesus
knowing the true nature of God, and that to say that he was never equal to God as part
means getting to the root of the Trinity contro of a Godhead. But if the Trinity is false, it is
versy. Therefore, why not examine it for your degrading to Almighty God to call anyone his
self?-John 17:3, Catholic Jerusalem Bible equal, and even worse to call Mary the "Moth
(JB ). er of God. " If the Trinity is false, it dishonors
Various Trinitarian concepts exist. But gen God to say, as noted in the book Catholicism:
erally the Trinity teaching is that in the God "Unless [people] keep this Faith whole and un
head there are three persons, Father, Son, and defiled, without doubt [they] shall perish ever
Holy Ghost; yet, together they are but one lastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this: we
God. The doctrine says that the three are co worship one God in Trinity. "
equal, almighty, and uncreated, having existed There are good reasons, then, why you
eternally in the Godhead. should want to know the truth about the Trin
Others, however, say that the Trinity doc ity. But before examining its origin and its
trine is false, that Almighty God stands alone claim of truthfulness, it would be helpful to
as a separate, eternal, and all-powerful being. define this doctrine more specifically. What,
They say that Jesus in his prehuman existence exactly, is the Trinity? How do supporters of it
was, like the angels, a separate spirit person explain it?
to people in the city of Beroea, "they received PROT ESTANT publication states: "The
the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, A word Trinity is not found in the Bible ...It
carefully examining the Scriptures daily as did not find a place forinally in the theology of
to whether these things were sO."-Acts 17: the church till the 4th century." ( The Illustrated
10, 11. Bible Dictionary) And a Catholic authority says
What did prominent men of God at that time that the Trinity "is not ... directly and immedi
use as their authority? Acts 17:2, 3 tells us: ately [the] word of God."-New Catholic Ency
"According to Paul's custom . .. he reasoned clopedia.
with them from the Scriptures, explaining and The Catholic Encyclopedia also comments:
proving by references [from the Scriptures]." "In Scripture. there, is as yet no single term by
Jesus himself set the example in using the which the Three Divine Persons are denoted
Scriptures as the basis for his teaching, repeat together. The word 'tptnc; [ tri "as] (of which the
edly saying: "It is written." "He interpreted to Latin trinitas is a translation) is first found in
them things pertaining to himself in all the Theophilus of Antioch about A. D. 180. . . .
Scriptures. "-Matthew 4:4, 7; Luke 24:27. Shortly afterwards it appears in its Latin form of
Thus Jesus, Paul, and first-century believers trinitas in Tertullian."
used the Scriptures as the foundation for their However, this is no proof in itself that Tertul
teaching. They knew that "all Scripture is in lian taught the Trinity.The Catholic work Trin
spired of God and beneficial for teaching, for itas-A Theological Encyclopedia of the Holy
reproving, for setting things straight, for disci Trinity, for example, notes that some of Ter
plining in righteousness, that the man of God tullian's words were later used by others to
A 3. Palmyra.
Triad of moon god,
Lord of Heavens,
sun god, c. 1st
century C.E.
A 2. Babylon.
Triad of Ishtar,
Sin, Shamash, 2nd
millennium B.C.E.
� 4. India.
Triune Hindu
A 5. Kampuchea.
godhead, c. 7th
Triune Buddhist
century C.E.
godhead, c. 12th
century C.E.
� 6. Norway. � 7. France.
Trinity (Father, Trinity, c. 14th
Son, holy spirit), century C.E.
c. 13th century C.E.
A 10. Germany.
Trinity, 20th
century C.E.
A 8. Italy.
Trinity, c. 15th
century C.E.
What Influenced It sented." What does the Greek philosopher Plato
� ROUGHOUT the ancient world, as far back have to do with the Trinity?
1. as Babylonia, the worship of pagan gods
Platonism
grouped in threes, or triads, was common. That
LATO, it is thought, lived from 428 to 347
P before Christ. While he did not teach the
influence was also prevalent in Egypt, Greece,
and Rome in the centuries before, during, and
after Christ. And after the death of the apostles, Trinity in its present form, his philosophies paved
such pagan beliefs began to invade Christianity. the way for it. Later, philosophical movements
Historian Will Durant observed: "Christianity that included triadic beliefs sprang up, and these
did not destroy paganism; it adopted it....From were influenced by Plato's ideas of God and na
Egypt came the ideas of a divine trinity." And ture.
in the book Egyptian Religion, Siegfried Morenz The French Nouveau Dictionnaire Universel
notes: "The trinity was a major preoccupation of (New Universal Dictionary) says of Plato's influ
Egyptian theologians . . . Three gods are com ence: "The Platonic trinity, itself merely a re
bined and treated as a single being, addressed in arrangement of older trinities dating back to ear
the singular. In this way the spiritual force of lier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic
Egyptian religion shows a direct link with Chris trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three
tian theology." hypostases or divine persons taught by the Chris
Thus, in Alexandria, Egypt, churchmen of the tian churches.... This Greek philosopher's con
late third and early fourth centuries, such as ception of the divine trinity ...can be found in all
Athanasius, reflected this influence as they for the ancient [pagan] religions."
mulated ideas that led to the Trinity. Their own The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Re
influence spread, so that Morenz considers "Alex ligious Knowledge shows the influence of this
andrian theology as the intermediary between Greek philosophy: "The doctrines of the Logos
the Egyptian religious heritage and Christianity." and the Trinity received their shape from Greek
In the preface to Edward Gibbon's History of Fathers, who ... were much influenced, directly
Christianity, we read: "If Paganism was con or indirectly, by the Platonic philosophy . .. That
quered by Christianity, it is equally true that errors and corruptions crept into the Church from
Christianity was corrupted by Paganism. The this source can not be denied. "
pure Deism of the first Christians . . . was The Ch urch of the First Three Centuries says:
changed, by the Church of Rome, into the incom "The doctrine of the Trinity was of gradual and
prehensible dogma of the trinity. Many of the comparatively late formation; ...it had its origin
pagan tenets, invented by the Egyptians and in a source entirely foreign from that of the Jew
idealized by Plato, were retained as being worthy ish and Christian Scriptures; ... it grew up, and
of belief." was ingrafted on Christianity, through the hands
A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge notes of the Platonizing Fathers."
that many say that the Trinity "is a corruption By the end of the third century C.E., "Christian
borrowed from the heathen religions, and in ity " and the new Platonic philosophies became
grafted on the Christian faith." And The Pagan inseparably united. As Adolf Harnack states in
ism in Our Christianity declares: "The origin of Outlines of the History ofDogma, church doctrine
the [Trinity] is entirely pagan." became "firmly rooted in the soil of Hellenism
That is why, in the Encyclopcedia of Religion [pagan Greek thought].Thereby it became a mys
and Ethics, James Hastings wrote: "In Indian re tery to the great. majority of Christians. "
ligion, e.g., we meet with the trinitarian group of The church claimed that its new doctrines
Brahma., Siva, and Vi�I).u; and in Egyptian reli were based on the Bible. But Harnack says: "In
gion with the trinitarian group of Osiris, Isis, and reality it legitimized in its midst the Hellenic
Horus ...Nor is it only in historical religions that speCUlation, the superstitious views and cus
we find God viewed as a Trinity. One recalls in toms of pagan mystery-worship."
particular the Neo-Platonic view of the Supreme In the book A Statement of Reasons, An
or Ultimate Reality," which is "triadically repre- drews Norton says of the Trinity: "We can
J
In every period of his existence, whether in
he said about himself indicates that he did heaven or on earth, his speech and conduct re
not consider himself equal to God in any flect subordination to God. God is always the
way-not in power, not in knowledge, not in superior, Jesus the lesser one who was created
age. by God.
18
and Elisha had that power too, but that did not sus had been God, how could Jesus have been
make them more than men. God gave the pow exalted, that is, raised to a higher position than
er to perform miracles to the prophets, Jesus, he had previously enjoyed? He would already
and the apostles to show that He was backing have been an exalted part of the Trinity. If,
them. But it did not make any of them part of a before his exaltation, Jesus had been equal to
plural Godhead. God, exalting him any further would have
made him superior to God.
Jesus Had Limited Knowledge
Paul also said that Christ entered "heaven
HEN Jesus gave his prophecy about the itself, so that he could appear in the actual
W end of this system of things, he stated: presence of God on our behalf." (Hebrews 9:24,
"But of that day or that hour no one knows, not JB) If you appear in someone else's presence,
even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but how can you be that person? You cannot. You
only the Father." (Mark 13:32, RS, Catholic must be different and separate.
edition) Had Jesus been Similarly, just before
the equal Son part of a 'New Testament research has been being stoned to death, the
Godhead, he would have leading an increasing number of martyr Stephen "gazed
known what the Father scholars to the conclusion that into heaven and caught
knows. But Jesus did not Jesus certainly never believed sight of God's glory and
know, for he was not himself to be God. '-Bulletin of Jesus standing at God's
equal to God. of the John Rylands Library right hand." (Acts 7: 5 5)
Similarly, we read at Clearly, he saw two sepa
Hebrews 5:8 that Jesus "learned obedience rate individuals-but no holy spirit, no Trinity
from the things he suffered." Can we imagine Godhead.
that God had to learn anything? No, but Jesus In the account at Revelation 4: 8 to 5: 7, God
did, for he did not know everything that God is shown seated on his heavenly throne, but
knew. And he had to learn something that God Jesus is not. He has to approach God to take a
never needs to learn-obedience. God never scroll from God's right hand. This shows that
has to obey anyone. in heaven Jesus is not God but is separate from
The difference between what God knows him.
and what Christ knows also existed when Je In agreement with the foregoing, the Bulle
sus was resurrected to heaven to be with God. tin of the John Rylands Library in Manchester,
Note the first words of the last book of the Bi England, states: "In his post-resurrection heav
ble: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God enly life, Jesus is portrayed as retaining a per
gave him." (Revelation 1: 1, RS, Catholic edi sonal individuality every bit as distinct and
tion) If Jesus himself were part of a Godhead, separate from the person of God as was his in
would he have to be given a revelation by an his life on earth as the terrestrial Jesus. Along
other part of the Godhead-God? Surely he side God and compared with God, he appears,
would have known all about it, for God knew. indeed, as yet another heavenly being in
But Jesus did not know, for he was not God. God's heavenly court, just as the angels were
-though as God's Son, he stands in a different
Jesus Continues Subordinate
category, and ranks far above them."-Com
N HIS prehuman existence, and also when he pare Philippians 2: 11.
I was on earth, Jesus was subordinate to God. The Bulletin also says: "What, however, is
After his resurrection, he continues to be in a said of his life and functions as the celestial
subordinate, secondary position. Christ neither means nor implies that in divine
Speaking of the resurrection of Jesus, Peter status he stands on a par with God himself and
and those with him told the Jewish Sanhedrin: is fully God. On the contrary, in the New Tes
"God exalted this one [Jesus] . . . to his right tament picture of his heavenly person and
hand." (Acts 5:31) Paul said: "God exalted him ministry we behold a figure both separate from
to a superior position." (Philippians 2:9) If Je- and subordinate to God."
G
OD'S spirit can also supply
"power beyond what is
normal " to those who serve
him. (2 Corinthians 4: 7) This
enables them to endure trials
of faith or to do things they
could not otherwise do.
For example, regarding Samson, Judges So the holy spirit gave Jesus and other ser
14:6 relates: "The spirit of Yahweh seized on vants of God the power to do what humans
him, and though he had no weapon in his ordinarily could not do.
hand he tore the lion in pieces. " ( JB) Did a
divine person actually enter or seize Samson, Not a Person
manipulating his body to do what he did? No,
RE there not, however, Bible verses that
it was really "the power of the LORD [that]
"
made Samson strong. - TEV.
A speak of the holy spirit in personal terms?
Yes, but note what Catholic theologian Edmund
The Bible says that when Jesus was bap
Fortman says about this in The Triune God: "Al
tized, holy spirit came down upon him appear
though this spirit is often described in personal
ing like a dove, not like a human form. (Mark
terms, it seems quite clear that the sacred writ
1:10) This active force of God enabled Jesus to
ers [of the Hebrew Scriptures] never conceived
heal the sick and raise the dead. As Luke 5: 17
or presented this spirit as a distinct person."
says: "The Power of the Lord [God] was behind
his [Jesus'] works of healing. "-JB. In the Scriptures it is not unusual for some
thing to be personified. Wisdom is said to have
God's spirit also empowered the d�sciples of
Jesus to do miraculous things. Acts 2: 1-4 re children. (Luke 7:35) Sin and death are called
lates that the disciples were assembled togeth kings. (Romans 5:14, 21) At Genesis 4:7 The
er at Pentecost when "suddenly there occurred New English Bible ( NE) says: "Sin is a demon
from heaven a noise just like that of a rushing crouching at the door, " personifying sin as a
stiff breeze, ... and they all became filled with wicked spirit crouching at Cain's door. But, of
holy spirit and started to speak with different course, sin is not a spirit person; nor does per
tongues, just as the spirit was granting them sonifying the holy spirit make it a spirit per
to make utterance." son.
Then, too, while some Bible texts say that ARIOUS sources acknowledge that the Bi
the spirit speaks, other texts show that this V ble does not support the idea that the
was actually done through humans or angels. holy spirit is the third person of a Trinity. For
(Matthew 10: 19, 20; Acts 4:24, 25; 28: 25; example:
Hebrews 2:2) The action of the spirit in such The Catholic Encyclopedia: "Nowhere in the
instances is like that of radio waves transmit
Old Testament do we find any clear indication
ting messages from one person to another far
of a Third Person."
away.
Catholic theologian Fortman: "The Jews
At Matthew 28: 19 reference is made to
never regarded the spirit as a person; nor is
"the name . . . of the holy spirit." But the
there any solid evidence that any Old Testa
word "name " does not always mean a personal
ment writer held this view .... The Holy Spirit
name, either in Greek or in English. When we
is usually presented in the Synoptics [Gospels ]
say "in the name of the law," we are not refer
and in Acts as a divine force or power. "
ring to a person. We mean that which the law
stands for, its authority. Robertson's Word pic The New Catholic Encyclopedia : "The O[ld]
tures in the New Testament says: "The use of T[estament] clearly does not envisage God's
name ( onoma ) here is a common one in the spirit as a person . . . God's spirit is simply
Septuagint and the papyri for power or au God's power. If it is sometimes represented
thority. " So baptism 'in the name of the holy as being distinct from God, it is because the
spirit' recognizes the authority of the spirit, breath of Yahweh acts exteriorly. " It also says:
that it is from God and functions by divine "The majority of N[ew] T[estament] texts re
will. veal God's spirit as something, not someone;
this is especially seen in the parallelism be
The "Helper" tween the spirit and the power of God."-Ital
ics ours.
J
ESUS spoke of the holy spirit as a "helper,"
and he said it would teach, guide, and A Catholic Dictionary: "On the whole, the
speak. (John 14: 16, 26; 16: 13) The Greek New Testament, like the Old, speaks of the
word he used for helper (pa·ra "kle·tos) is in the spirit as a divine energy or power."
22 SHOUW YOU BEUEVE IN mE TRINITY?
Hence, neither the Jews nor the early Chris turies after holy spirit filled the disciples at
tians viewed the holy spirit as part of a Trini Pentecost!
ty. That teaching came centuries later. As No, the holy spirit is not a person and it is
A Catholic Dictionary notes: "The third Person not part of a Trinity. The holy spirit is God's
was asserted at a Council of Alexandria in active force that he uses to accomplish his will.
362 . . . and finally by the Council of Constan It is not equal to God but is always at his dis
tinople of 381"-some three and a half cen- position and subordinate to him.
I
T IS said that some Bible texts offer proof
in support of the Trinity. However, when holy spirit constitute a Trinitarian Godhead,
reading such texts, we should keep in that the three are equal in substance, power,
mind that the Biblical and historical evidence and eternity? No, they do not, no more than
does not support the Trinity. listing three people, such as Tom, Dick, and
Any Bible reference offered as proof must Harry, means that they are three in one.
be understood in the context of the consistent This type of reference, admits McClintock
teaching of the entire Bible. Very often the and Strong's Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theologi
true meaning of such a text is clarified by the cal, and Ecclesiastical Literature, "proves only
context of surrounding verses. that there are the three subjects named, . . .
but it does not prove, by itself, that all the
Three in One three belong necessarily to the divine nature,
and possess equal divine honor."
H E New Catholic Encyclopedia offers three
T such "proof texts" but also admits: "The
Although a supporter of the Trinity, that
source says of 2 Corinthians 13: 13 (14): "We
doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not taught in
could not justly infer that they possessed equal
the O[ld] T[estament]. In the N[ew] T[esta
authority, or the same nature." And of Mat
ment] the oldest evidence is in the Pauline
thew 28: 18-20 it says: "This text, however,
epistles, especially 2 Cor 13.13 [verse 14 in taken by itself, would not prove decisively
some Bibles], and 1 Cor 12.4-6. In the Gospels either the personality of the three subjects
evidence of the Trinity is found explicitly only mentioned, or their equality or divinity. "
in the baptismal formula of Mt 28.19."
When Jesus was baptized, God, Jesus, and
In those verses the three "persons" are listed the holy spirit were also mentioned in the
as follows in The New Jerusalem Bible. Second same context. Jesus "saw descending like a
Corinthians 13: 13 (14) puts the three together dove God's spirit coming upon him." (Matthew
in this way: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 3: 16) This, however, does not say that the
the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy three are one. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are
Spirit be with you all." First Corinthians 12:4-6 mentioned together numerous times, but that
says: "There are many different gifts, but it is does not make them one. Peter, James, and
always the same Spirit; there are many differ John are named together, but that does not
ent ways of serving, but it is always the same make them one either. Furthermore, God's
Lord. There are many different forms of activ spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism,
ity, but in everybody it is the same God who showing that Jesus was not anointed by spirit
is at work in them all." And Matthew 28: 19 until that time. This being so, how could he be
reads: "Go, therefore, make disciples of all na part of a Trinity where he had always been
tions; baptise them in the name of the Father one with the holy spirit?
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Another reference that speaks of the three
the faithful should confess Jesus as 'God', is the matter by stating: "These have been written
almost complete absence of just this form of down that you may believe that Jesus is the
confession in the New Testament explicable?" Christ the Son of God," not that he was Al
But what about the apostle Thomas' saying, mighty God. And it meant "Son" in a literal way,
"My Lord and my God!" to Jesus at John 20:28? as with a natural father and son, not as some
To Thomas, Jesus was like "a god," especially mysterious part of a Trinity Godhead.
in the miraculous circumstances that prompt
Must Harmonize With the Bible
ed his exclamation. Some scholars suggest that
T IS claimed that several other scriptures
I support the Trinity. But these are similar to
Thomas may simply have made an emotional
exclamation of astonishment, spoken to Jesus
but directed to God. In either case, Thomas did those discussed above in that, when carefully
not think that Jesus was Almighty God, for he examined, they offer no actual support. Such
and all the other apostles knew that Jesus never texts only illustrate that when considering any
claimed to be God but taught that Jehovah alone claimed support for the Trinity, one must ask:
is "the only true God."-John 17:3. Does the interpretation harmonize with the
Again, the context helps us to understand consistent teaching of the entire Bible-that
this. A few days earlier the resurrected Jesus Jehovah God alone is Supreme? If not, then
had told Mary Magdalene to tell the disciples: "I the interpretation must be in error.
am ascending to my Father and your Father and We also need to keep in mind that not even
to my God and your God. " (John 20: 17) Even so much as one "proof text" says that God, Je
though Jesus was already resurrected as a sus, and the holy spirit are one in some myste
mighty spirit, Jehovah was still his God. And rious Godhead. Not one scripture anywhere in
Jesus continued to refer to Him as such even in the Bible says that all three are the same in
the last book of the Bible, after he was glorified. substance, power, and eternity. The Bible is
-Revelation 1: 5, 6 ; 3:2, 12. consistent in revealing Almighty God, Jeho
Just three verses after Thomas' exclamation, vah, as alone Supreme, Jesus as his created
at John 20:31, the Bible further clarifies the Son, and the holy spirit as God's active force.
J
ESUS said in prayer to God: "This means
everlasting life, their taking in knowl Jehovah God, and from worshiping him on his
edge of you, the only true God, and of the terms. As theologian Hans Kung said: "Why
one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John should anyone want to add anything to the no
17:3) What kind of knowledge? "[God's] will is tion of God's oneness and uniqueness that can
that all sorts of men should be saved and come only dilute or nullify that oneness and unique
to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timo ness? " But that is what belief in the Trinity
thy 2:4) The Amplified Bible renders the latter has done.
phrase this way: "Know precisely and correct Those who believe in the Trinity are not
ly the [divine] Truth." "holding God in accurate knowledge. " (Romans
So God wants us to know him and his pur 1:28) That verse also says: "God gave them up
poses accurately, in conformity with divine to a disapproved mental state, to do the things
truth. And God's Word, the Holy Bible, is the not fitting. " Verses 29 to 31 list some of those
source of that truth.(John 17: 17; 2 Timothy 'unfitting' things, such as 'murder, strife, be
3: 16, 17) When people learn accurately what ing false to agreements, having no natural af
the Bible says about God, then they will avoid fection, merciless.' Those very things have
being like those mentioned at Romans 10:2, 3, been practiced by religions that accept the
who had "a zeal for God; but not according to Trinity.
accurate knowledge." Or like the Samaritans, For instance, Trinitarians have often perse
to whom Jesus said: "You worship what you do cuted and even killed those who rejected the
not know."-John 4:22. Trinity doctrine. And they have gone even
further. They have killed their fellow Trinitar
Therefore, if we want God's approval, we
ians in wartime. What could be more 'un�t
need to ask ourselves: What does God say about
ting' than Catholics killing Catholics, Orthodox
himself? How does he want to be worshiped?
killing Orthodox, Protestants killing Protes
What are his purposes, and how should we fit
tants-all in the name of the same Trinitarian
in with them? An accurate knowledge of the
God?
truth gives us the right answers to such ques
Yet, Jesus plainly said: "By this all will
tions. Then we can worship God on his terms.
know that you are my disciples, if you have
Dishonoring God love among yourselves. " (John 13:3 5) God's
Word expands on this, say�ng: "The children of
Jl HOS E honoring me I shall honor," says
T God.(1 Samuel 2:30) Does it honor God God and the children of the Devil are evident
by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on
to call anyone his equal? Does it honor him to righteousness does not originate with God,
call Mary "the mother of God " and the "Media neither does he who does not love his broth
trix . . . between the Creator and His crea er. " It likens those who kill their spiritual
tures," as does the New Catholic Encyclope brothers to "Cain, who originated with the
dia ? No, those ideas insult God. No one is his wicked one [Satan] and slaughtered his broth
equal; nor did he have a fleshly mother, since er. "-l John 3:10-12.
Jesus was not God. And there is no "Media Thus, the teaching of confUSing doctrines
trix," for God has appointed only "one media about God has led to actions that violate his
tor between God and men," Jesus.-1 Timothy laws. Intleed, what has happened throughout
2: 5; 1 John 2: 1, 2. Christendom is what Danish theologian S0ren
Beyond a doubt, the Trinity doctrine has Kierkegaard described: "Christendom has done
confused and diluted people's understanding away with Christianity without being quite
of God's true position. It prevents people from aware of it. "
30 SHOULD YOU BEUEVE IN THE TRINITY?
This centuries-old
sculpture in France
depicts the coronation
of the "virgin" Mary
by the Trinity. Belief
in the Trinity led to
veneration of Mary as
the "Mother of God"
Picture Credits
Listed by location, page, and number: Musee Guimet , Paris,page 10, ( 5 ).
Church of Tagnon, France, page 10, ( 7 ). Musees Nationaux, France, page 1 0, ( 2 ).
Col legiate of Montreal, Yonne, France, page 3 1 . Museo Bardini, Florence, page 1 0, ( 8 ).
Musee des Beaux-Arts de Troyes, page 2 , ( right). Museo Bgizio, Turin, page 2, ( left).
Musee du Louvre, Paris, page 1 0, ( 1 ), ( 3 ). Scala New York/Florence, page 8.
Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
God promises eternal life to those who honor him. liThe righteous themselves will possess
the earth, and they will reside forever upon it," his Word assures us. -Psalm 3 7 : 2 9 .
Yet, t o b e counted among lithe righteous," you need t o do more than become informed
about the Trinity teaching. You need to progress in knowledge about God. Jehovah's
Witnesses will be happy to help you, if you are not already receiving that help. Just
write to Jehovah's Witnesses at the appropriate address listed below, requesting further
information or that one of Jehovah's Witnesses come to your home and regularly study the
Bible with you free of charge.
ANTIGUA: Box 1 1 9, St. John's. AUSTRALIA: Box 280, I ng leburn, NSW 1 890. BAHAMAS: Box
N-1 247, Nassau, NP. BARBADOS, W.I.: Crusher Site Road , Prospect, BB 240 1 2 St. James.
BRITAIN: The Ridgeway, London NW7 1 RN. CANADA: P.O. Box 4 1 00, Georgetown, ON
L7G 4Y4. CU RACAO, NETH ERLANDS ANTILLES: PO Box 4708, Willemstad. GERMANY:
Am Steinfels, 656 1 8 Selters. GHANA: PO Box GP 760, Accra. GUAM: 1 43 Jehovah St,
Barrigada, G U 969 1 3. GUYANA: 352-360 Tyre l l St, Republic Park Phase 2 EBD. HAWAII:
2055 Kamehameha IV Road , H o n o l u l u , H I 968 1 9. H ONG KONG: 4 Kent Road , Kowloon
Tong, Kowloon. INDIA: Post Box No. 644 1 , Yelahanka, Bangalore-KAR 560 064. I RELAND:
Newcastle, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. JAMAICA: PO Box 1 03, Old Harbour. JAPAN: 4-7-1
Nakashinden, Ebina City, Kanagawa-Pref, 243-0496. KENYA: PO Box 2 1 290, 00505 Nairobi.
LIBERIA: PO Box 1 0-0380, 1 000 Monrovia 1 0. MALAYSIA: Peti Surat No. 580, 75760 Mel aka.
NEW ZEALAND: PO Box 7 5 1 42, Manurewa, Manu kau 2243. NIGERIA: P.M.B. 1 090, Benin City
30000 1 , Edo State. PANAMA: Apdo. 08 1 9 - 07567, Panama. PHILIPPIN ES: PO Box 2044, 1 060
Manila. SOUTH AFRICA: Private Bag X2067, Krugersdorp, 1 740. SWITZ ERLAN D: P O Box 225,
3602 Thun. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: Lower Rapsey Street & Laxmi Lane, Curepe. U N ITED
STATES OF AMER ICA: 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 1 1 20 1 -2483. ZAM B IA: P.O. Box
33459, 1 0 1 0 1 Lusaka. Z I M BABWE: Private Bag WG-500 1 , Westgate. www.watchtower.org ti-E