The Trinity vs. Bryan Denlinger: Part 2, Trinity vs. Godhead

[@theshepherdsambassador5146]

My memory is not always the best. But I know JT use to say that before the incarnation Jesus existed as the body of God. He use call it his flesh. So that sort of confused me. I'm not sure if he ever explicitly cleared that issue up. But maybe he meant a spiritual body. But anyways... I think I read in Bryan's book about revelation 5:7 that on earth you can't see the soul but in heaven you can. So he explained that you'll see Jesus taking the book of the father's hand l, which you'll see a silhouette of a shape of a person, which would be the father/soul.

[@servantofchristSDG]

Yes, there was a kerfluffle in their camp a while back about I John 4:2 meaning Jesus is eternally in the flesh and making people say it out load to prove they were saved. Of course, some said it out loud and they were still "unsaved," so the "test" wasn't a surefire way to prove anything. I don't believe JT ever cleared it up or had to wrestle with the contradictions he created. I think even if he were to go with some "spiritual body" concept, it would only push the problems back a step, especially as he uses "fleah of God" language, as you said. I'll have to check Bryan's book on that point. I haven't paid attention to any of his claims on seeing souls vs. invisible souls, but that's probably another area of self-contradiction.

[@theshepherdsambassador5146]

@@servantofchristSDG yeah, I have known of their confess Jesus is come in the flesh challenge. Everyone who was in his inner circle followed suit. Every one of them made videos confessing it. Then we who weren't on Bryan's side, we made videos confessing it because they said false convert wasn't able to say it. After we made our videos,they moved the goal post. They them added you must confess Jesus is the father. Anyways.. I'm not aware of JT clearing up his explanation.

[@servantofchristSDG]

@PeoplesTemple Yes, he does.

[@servantofchristSDG]

@PeoplesTemple It's nearly impossible to get a clear definition, but it seems like they view him prior to the incarnation as both some sort of spiritual, yet visible body, and as the totality of all three "parts."

[@servantofchristSDG]

@JordanJackson41 Where does Scripture say he is the form of God? Phil. 2:6 states that he is *in* the form of God.

[@Greshman076]

As a brother in the Lord, I find this all a bit confusing. I don't subscribe to Brian's understanding, but rather a traditional Protestant Trinitarian understanding. From what I see, the difference between Brian's understanding and a traditional one, is that Brian views the 3 as parts rather than personages, using the design of the human being as an example revealed in natural revelation. He's correct that The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, but sees those as parts. There are lots of Biblical truths I consider to be of secondary and tertiary tier importance for orthodoxy, but the Gospel of Christ and the nature of God as He's revealed Himself in Scripture most certainly ranks as fundamental. I have the sense that I'm not fully grasping the full downstream ramifications for this nuanced difference. Do you think Brian's understanding ranks as heretical? I think we can all agree that a perfect theology is not a requirement for salvation, for ultimately none of us are afforded such. Nonetheless, there are certain things that are of peak importance and the nature of God is a topic that takes a top position for consideration. BTW, Brian's view seems to differ from modality where God can only be 1 of 3 at a time. I assume the doctrine of simplicity plays a role here, where God is not to be viewed as a series of parts. Sorry for the long ramble. Kind of a stream of consciousness going on here.

[@servantofchristSDG]

@Greshman076 No problem on the length! Yes, you are correct regarding his view vs. modalism and the importance of divine simplicity. I do view his doctrine as heretical, for one, because it's atheistic: the god he's saying is the God of the Bible _can't_ exist because it's a contradiction.

[@iam_helel]

What Jewish people said about they one God ?