Objections to the Trinity

The doctrine of the Trinity has been attacked throughout history. Jehovah’s Witnesses, Unitarians, Muslims and others present objections that deserve careful responses. In this final lesson, we will examine the main objections and see how the Bible answers them.

Objection 1: “The word ‘Trinity’ is not in the Bible”

Does the fact that a word doesn't appear in the Bible mean the concept is unbiblical?

Yes, we should only use biblical words No, many biblical concepts are expressed with words not found in the text It depends on the importance of the concept Non-biblical words are always suspect

Words like “omniscience,” “omnipresence,” “incarnation” and “Bible” also do not appear in Scripture, but describe clearly biblical concepts. “Trinity” (from Latin trinitas) is simply a word that summarizes the biblical teaching of one God in three persons.

Objection 2: “Jesus is called ‘Son’ — therefore, He had a beginning”

Does the term 'Son of God' mean that Jesus was created or generated at some point?

Yes, every son has a father who came before him No, the Jews understood 'Son of God' meant equality with God It means Jesus is inferior to the Father It is only an honorific title

When Jesus called Himself “Son of God,” the Jews tried to kill Him for “blasphemy,” because they understood that He was “making Himself equal with God.” The title indicates shared nature, not creation.

Did Jesus have a 'beginning' or did He always exist?

He began to exist when born in Bethlehem He was created before all other things His origins are from of old, from ancient times He began when the Father generated Him

“Christ was, in the highest sense, originally God, and entirely united with the Father. He was with God in the beginning, God over all, blessed forever.” — Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 247

Objection 3: “The Father is ‘greater’ than the Son”

When Jesus said 'The Father is greater than I,' what did He mean?

That He is inferior in divine nature That in His humiliated incarnation, He voluntarily submitted to the Father That the Father created the Son That only the Father is truly God

Jesus made this declaration while on earth, in His humiliated condition. Philippians 2 explains that He “emptied Himself” voluntarily. This does not deny His essential divinity: He and the Father remain “one” ().

Is Jesus equal to the Father in divine nature?

No, He is an exalted creature He subsisted in the form of God and did not consider equality with God something to be grasped He became equal after the resurrection Equality is impossible between Father and Son

Objection 4: “Only the Father knows the day and hour of Jesus’ return”

Does the fact that Jesus didn't know 'the day and hour' prove He is not omniscient?

Yes, this proves Jesus is not God In His humanity, Jesus voluntarily limited the use of some divine attributes Jesus lied about not knowing The text was corrupted

In the incarnation, Jesus assumed voluntary human limitations. He grew in wisdom (), became tired, hungry and thirsty. This demonstrates His true humanity, not the negation of His divinity.

Objection 5: “Jesus is ‘the firstborn of all creation’”

What does it mean that Jesus is 'the firstborn of all creation'?

He was the first thing created He has the position of supremacy and rights of heir over all creation He was born before the angels He is the oldest of created beings

“Firstborn” (prōtotokos) in Greek indicates a position of honor and authority, not necessarily order of birth. The very context says “in Him all things were created” — if He created all things, He Himself cannot be a created thing!

Was David 'firstborn,' although he was the youngest in his family?

This is an error in the text Yes, God made him 'firstborn' in position of honor, not order of birth David was secretly the oldest Firstborn always means first born

Objection 6: “Jesus is ‘the beginning of God’s creation’”

What does it mean that Jesus is 'the beginning of God's creation'?

He was the first thing created He is the origin/source of God's creation He started the creation He was created at the beginning

The Greek word “archē” can mean “beginning” in the sense of “origin” or “source” (as in “architect”). Jesus is the source of creation, not the first created thing. This harmonizes with John 1:3: “All things were made through Him.”

Objection 7: “The Holy Spirit is only a force”

What indicates that the Holy Spirit is a person and not an impersonal force?

Forces can also speak The Holy Spirit said: 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul' — a force does not speak in first person It is only figurative language Luke was using poetry

An impersonal force (like electricity or gravity) does not speak, has no will, cannot be grieved, cannot make decisions. The Holy Spirit does all these things, proving He is a person.

“The Holy Spirit is a person, for He testifies with our spirits that we are children of God… He must be a divine person, otherwise He could not search the secrets hidden in the minds of God.” — Ellen G. White, Manuscript 20, 1906

Objection 8: “The Trinity is a pagan/Catholic invention”

Was the doctrine of the Trinity invented at the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.)?

Yes, before Nicaea no one believed in the Trinity No, the trinitarian biblical texts are earlier than any council Constantine invented the Trinity The Trinity came from paganism

The trinitarian biblical texts were written in the first century — centuries before Nicaea. The Council did not invent the Trinity; it merely formulated a statement to defend biblical faith against heresies that denied the divinity of Christ.

And Now?

Defending the doctrine of the Trinity is not just an intellectual exercise:

Our salvation depends on it: If Jesus is not God, His sacrifice cannot save us.
Our worship depends on it: To worship Jesus and the Spirit is only correct if they are God.
Our faith depends on it: The Trinity is the God that the Bible reveals; to reject it is to reject the biblical God.

Be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you (), but do so with gentleness and respect.

I firmly believe in the biblical doctrine of the Trinity and am prepared to defend it with love and biblical knowledge. I reject the objections that contradict the clear teaching of Scripture. I worship the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit — the one true God.

6) Objections to the Trinity