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Must One Believe the Doctrine of the Trinity in Order to be Saved?

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  • Must One Believe the Doctrine of the Trinity in Order to be Saved?

    That is the question I am posing.

    Given the widespread acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity among believers as "the" orthodox understanding of who God is (one being comprised of three persons), I would like to see some well-articulated responses to the above inquiry.

    (Note: It should be clear that I am personally not seeking to debate the doctrine on this forum. I would ask that any personal attacks or allegations of "unorthodoxy" or "heresy" be withheld from the discussion. Do not introduce red herrings to this thread. I am posing the question directly to trinitarian Christians not tri-theists, unitarians or modalists. If you are not interested in directly addressing the question above, refrain from posting.)
    Last edited by The Remonstrant; 03-21-2014, 06:55 AM.
    For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

  • #2
    I think maybe a better question would be must one understand the doctrine of the Trinity in order to be saved.

    Either way, I would say, initially, no. I think they need to understand they have sinned, need forgiveness, and only God gives that through acceptance of Christ's sacrifice.
    The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

    Comment


    • #3
      I agree with CP. You can be ignorant of the trinity and be saved. You just don't have all the information.

      However once someone learns about the doctrine of the trinity I don't think they can be ANTI-Trinitarian and be saved (Like the Jehovah's witnesses) - mainly because they are believing in a different God than what the bible teaches. I could be wrong, but that is my take on it.

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      • #4
        No. Evangelists in the Bible would focus on the Trinity if it were required for salvation.

        Comment


        • #5
          I don't think so. In the New Testament, the emphasis is on the claim that "Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, crucified and raised" rather than"Jesus of Nazareth was in some way equal to God".

          However, in the epistle to the Romans, Paul does write that "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (κύριον Ἰησοῦν) and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." One can argue that κύριον is to be understood as YHWH here.

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          • #6
            The "Trinity" is the name of the explanation of the three persons being that one and the same God as the Father. The Son of God (John 1:1; John 8:24; Hebrews 1:8; 2 John 9). And the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3, 4). What CP explained is correct.
            . . . the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; . . . -- Romans 1:16 KJV

            . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: . . . -- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV

            Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: . . . -- 1 John 5:1 KJV

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
              I think maybe a better question would be must one understand the doctrine of the Trinity in order to be saved.
              If so, I think we're all in trouble.
              "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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              • #8
                Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                If so, I think we're all in trouble.
                EGGzackly! (Get it? The Trinity = an egg - yolk, white, shell..... I"M JUST YOLKING, folks!)
                The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                  I think maybe a better question would be must one understand the doctrine of the Trinity in order to be saved.

                  Either way, I would say, initially, no. I think they need to understand they have sinned, need forgiveness, and only God gives that through acceptance of Christ's sacrifice.
                  I would agree with you that the priority is for one to recognize his or her need for a savior. Salvation is found in God through faith in Jesus Christ.
                  For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                    I think maybe a better question would be must one understand the doctrine of the Trinity in order to be saved.
                    Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                    If so, I think we're all in trouble.
                    This observation may be more profound than perhaps you intended it to be, KG.
                    For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by The Remonstrant View Post
                      This observation may be more profound than perhaps you intended it to be, KG.
                      I think he got it.
                      The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by The Remonstrant View Post
                        I would agree with you that the priority is for one to recognize his or her need for a savior. Salvation is found in God through faith in Jesus Christ.
                        And if we do it right, we don't just "get 'em saved" - we continue to disciple and teach. I have NEVER (to my knowledge) won somebody to the Lord who subsequently said "I just don't buy that Trinity stuff".
                        The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                          I think he got it.
                          The implications of such a statement may make some within evangelicalism somewhat uncomfortable.
                          For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
                            And if we do it right, we don't just "get 'em saved" - we continue to disciple and teach. I have NEVER (to my knowledge) won somebody to the Lord who subsequently said "I just don't buy that Trinity stuff".
                            Were they somewhat resistant to studying doctrine or simply disinterested? There are actually some really well-studied adherents of unitarianism on the internet.
                            For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by The Remonstrant View Post
                              The implications of such a statement may make some within evangelicalism somewhat uncomfortable.
                              The implications that we'd all be in trouble if it was required that we understand the Trinity in order to have Salvation? You think there are those who believe that it IS required that we understand Salvation in order to be saved?
                              The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

                              Comment

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