Someone asked me once if I believe in the Trinity. My response, I felt, should be shared as a perhaps a model response that others may wish to adopt or learn from in how we approach this subject.

I recently read an article posted by FFOZ.org's Messiah Magazine concerning "Christology" and it intrigued me and has caused me to totally approach the answer from a different vantage. It's main point was that we are not satisfied with what scripture says concerning who God is.

In the past, I used to call myself a trinitarian, or triunitarian, because I knew what people meant or were asking by the term. But I have found that this approach continues the confusion, and perpetuates a belief in the diminished value of scripture to stand on its own, without additional man-made definitions and terms - terms and definitions themselves that are unwarranted by scripture. I was fed up with responding to this question, until I read FFOZ's article and approach, because to me, to hold to a litmus test of "trinity or not" seems to fit God into a man-made box defined by man-made terms and philosophical arguments that have no bearing on who truly God is.

Often we are not satisfied with what appears to be contradictions in the scriptures concerning who and what God is. There aren't any contradictions, rather it is our assumptions that are at fault. When we run into an apparant contradiction in the scripture, we should take it as a red flag that our assumptions might very well be wrong, no matter how deeply held or how "orthodox to the Christian faith," or how "orthodox to Judaism," they may be promoted as. 

The article pointed out that a philosophical Western mindset demands a definition of God...in order to control Him. A Hebrew mindset allows for contradictions, and allows for mysteries to be kept mysteries. God is beyond definition, but certainly God can be apprehended in such clear statements as the Shema and other verses. For example, we know from scripture that:

1. God is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)

2. God is not a man. (Numbers 23:19)

These scriptures alone should be sufficient to cause anyone holding to views contrary to this, to either choose to submit to God's Word, or to cling to the traditions and doctrines of men. We at JerusalemCouncil.org prefer to submit to God's Word.

Who and What is God? To answer these questions, we only have what scripture reveals to us through the various clothing of glory in the scriptures (the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings). Just as it would be rude to peer under someone's clothing so as to expose their nakedness, I prefer to only look at the clothing of glory that scripture reveals in regards to learning who and what God is. And scripture, to me, is sufficient in that regard. I find it amazing that for many people, agreeing with scripture alone isn't sufficient, especially when it comes to recognizing a fellow believer and covenant member in Messiah Yeshua. It's sad that the sufficiency of scripture has lost its value in this regard.

To go further than scripture, I believe, is to expose an imagined nakedness of God which is either a fabrication of our own yetzer hara (evil inclination), or a very human attempt to grasp that which an eternal God sees perfectly fit as something to hide for whatever reason that suits Him. I believe God has hidden himself in the scriptures, because we can not handle beyond what he has already revealed in scripture. To go beyond this and limit God to a "trinity" would be, in my understanding of the matter, a bit pompous on our part.

Yes I do believe in the Father, and yes I do believe Yeshua is the Son of God, and that he is the Word of God, and has the name of HaShem on him; for that is what is written of the Messiah in the Torah, and the Prophets, and the Writings. Yes I believe in the Spirit of God, the Ruach HaKodesh. Yet, to trinitarians wishing to stop there, I could ask, "Who filled the temple at its dedication? What is the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Spirit?" As we read on, we clearly read that it was the Glory that filled the tabernacle, the temple, etc. So what is the Glory? Where does the Glory fit into the trinitarian model? So then, as a chasid, I simply just agree with scripture and with what scripture says concerning the matter and leave it at that and thank HaShem. Do I believe Messiah is divine? Yes. The Torah is absolutely clear on this. We have no Redeemer than HaShem. Is Messiah called HaShem? Yes, as redemption is his mission. The Torah is clear on this absolutely in many many places. The Torah is also clear that the Word of the Lord, is the Messiah, and that the Word of the Lord receives our worship of the Father.

Others who participate at this site may hold to varying views, so several viewpoints are tolerated if only to bring up reasonable discussion concerning the matter since this matter does need to be discussed from "In the beginning."

I am sorry I can't give you a more detailed definition, but for me to give a definition that does not match the words of scripture, is to go beyond scripture, and is for me in my own mind and conscience a transgression equal to adding to or taking away from the Word of God, and a detraction from my focus in obeying Him. I find it more important to obey HaShem, than to seek to add to or take away from what He says he is. As it is written:

Deuteronomy 4:2
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.

May our response to this question "do you believe in the Trinity?" Be answered with one voice, that of scripture:  God is one, God is not a man, our Redeemer is HaShem and there is none other; and may the Messiah, our redeemer, come soon, quickly and in our days. Amein.  Until then, may the grace of Master Yeshua Messiah, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

See Discussion: Do I believe in the Trinity? A Messianic Response