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HOUSMAIL
HM032
24 August 1999 WHEN THE SONS OF GOD SHOUTED FOR JOY "God said, "Let us make man in our
image, after our likeness." (Genesis 1:26) This
verse is often quoted as a "proof" of the doctrine of the Trinity.
The claim is that the use of a plural Hebrew noun "elohim" for
"God", and the pronoun "us"", indicates that there
was more than one person involved in the creation of mankind. Then, in a
giant leap of "circular logic" [1] the conclusion is made that this must be a reference to a
"triune Godhead". Of
course, that "logic" is not only "circular". It also
fails to take notice of other Scripture which reveals the TRUE IDENTITY of
those others to whom God was speaking at the creation. God
said to Job: "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
..... when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted
for joy?" (Job 38:4-7) The
"sons of God" referred to here, are of course, the ANGELS. It
should not surprise us at all, to learn that the "US" in whose
image we are made, includes the angels who shouted for joy at the creation! When
angels appear to men, THEY LOOK JUST LIKE
MEN! We have been made in their physical image,
but "for a little while lower".
(Hebrews 2:7) i.e. We do not yet
share their immortality. That is reserved for the "age to come"
which lies beyond the Resurrection. (Luke 20:36) The
reference in Hebrews is of course a quotation from Psalm 8:5. Comparing the two
references, we learn that the NT word which has been translated as
"angels", is actually "elohim" in the Psalm. A little
more study with a Concordance will find several other places where
"elohim" refers either to angels, or even mortal men! (See BIBLE DIGEST No 88) The
word "elohim" is plural, NOT because God is a three person
"tri-unity", but because it reminds us that YAHWEH (who alone is
truly God) HAS A FAMILY OF SONS! As sons of God the angels are part of that
family. And if we belong to Jesus, so are we also sons of God. We bear the
physical image of those other sons who were present at the creation. But as
mortals we are temporarily "a little lower". When Jesus appears we
shall be elevated to the full status, and likeness, and dominion over the
earth, for which we were created in the image of the "elohim". (Genesis 1:26, Luke 20 35-36, Romans 8:21-25, 1 John 3:1-3) Praise
God! Jesus, the "Son of Man" has been confirmed as THE Son of God, when His
Father raised Him from the dead. (Romans 1:4) And He has been elevated to a status far above that of those
other sons of God, who were present at the creation (Hebrews 1:4). To Him we bow the
knee and confess Him as Lord ..... to the glory of His Father (Philippians 2:10-12) who alone is truly
God. (John 17:3) Allon Note:
[1] Circular logic - the process by which
a proposal is used to "prove" itself! e.g. If the doctrine of the
trinity is accepted, then the plural words used in Genesis 1:26 must refer to a
"triune godhead"! And that therefore proves the doctrine! Circular?
...... yes! ..... But REAL logic "proving" the Trinity? .....
NEVER! |