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Originally Posted by Ohio
Me too. Long ago I decided that my goal was not to win an argument or persuade another poster. That would be far too frustrating, and discouraging, knowing some of the posters that pass thru these parts.
Firstly I write for the reader, the lurker, the passersby who might need something I have learned in my own journey. But I also write for myself, clarifying what might have been taken for granted over the years. Searching the scriptures is a great thing when it leads to discovery of life and truth in Jesus. Hundreds of topics have been examined in this way. Some things like the ground of locality, which I held for decades, has been readily discarded in the LC trash can. Other things, I am willing to die far.
I am thankful to have spent time in the Recovery examining all sides of this debate. We have studied verses in depth, which many just leave for theologians. Consider Paul's word in Colossians, "all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily." This verse kind of shoots holes in everyone's theology. Yet I love it. And believe it.
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Ohio, I love it and believe it also all the fullness of the Father dwelt in Christ. But, Ohio, you better read all the verses in Col. 1 that lead up to this: vs 2 Paul speaks of God our Father, v3 the God and Father. I would urge you to read slowly through Colossians and look how Paul uses the terms God and Christ. Paul is not creating a new God for the Colossians but telling us plainly about the working of God by, with, in Christ Jesus to fulfill His plan. Realize that this plan also should bring us, the church to be filled with all the fullness of God. Remember what Peter spoke to Cornelius? For God was with him. Have you read through Acts yet and looked at all the gospels preached and what they said about Jesus?
A ministry for the recovery of the church should match Paul’s and not go off creating a false theology and selling it on snippets of verses.
Also, dig out your old Bill Freeman Testimony of the Triune God in Church History, I think that was the title, and ask yourself Why would such a book have to be written if the scripture so plainly portrays God as triune, and so clearly informs us that Jesus is God? Why did Freeman not include Paul’s statement that there is one God, the Father. If we are to know that God is triune, Ohio, are we supposed to pick it up from fancy stringing together of parts of verses? From a 4th century decree? From all the books and footnotes written since the 3rd century? The scripture is a pretty pathetic testimony if the main thing we are supposed to pick up is that God is triune and that Jesus is God. The gospels preached don’t say it, Paul didn’t preach it, John has Jesus telling us there is one true God, the Father, Paul tells us that the oneness of our fellowship is based on one God and Father.