T3

3. What the "Church Fathers" taught

- influenced by pagan thought

- Neoplatonisms influence ( but not actual model of trinity but a triple/triad -like influence )

- Influence of humanist greek philosophy ( its function as a humanist religion aka buddhism )

- going beyond what is written.

(a) Influenced by pagan thought

What is a pagan ?

From the dictionary:

pa·gan

n.

1. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion.

2. One who has no religion.

3. A non-Christian.

4. A hedonist.

5. A Neo-Pagan.

adj.

1. Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish.

2. Professing no religion; heathen.

3. Neo-Pagan.

From Middle English, from Late Latin pgnus, from Latin, country-dweller, civilian, from pgus, country, rural district; see pag- in Indo-European roots.

When Jesus lived, there was a strong pagan influence, with many temples dedicated to pagan worship, in particular worship of many gods of the Greeks and Romans, as well as many local deities. In addition to this, we have seen in previous sections of this document that many pagan religions and beliefs existed before Jesus Christ walked the earth.

We should not be surprised then that paganism would have a large influence on people, especially philosophers and educated people. We know that many early church "fathers" were influenced by Neoplatonism, in particular Augustine, and even while Augustine rejected Neoplatnism, its influence on him can still be seen.

In addition, as we have shown, many triads of gods from many religions that existed before Christianity, also influenced the thinkers of the early church. While we list Augustine mostly, other church "fathers" have also been influenced by paganism, however since Augistine is well known and had a big impact on the early church and its theology, we concentrate on him.

So we find that without the strong influence of Jesus Christ and the Apostles, we find the early church sliding quickly into man made traditions and influences, especially the Trinity, and these have their beginnings in pagan thought.

An example of how wide spread pagan influence was - Apostle Paul had to leave Ephesus because the pagan idol makers hated his Gospel, because it threatened the idol makers money making :

Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. 19:20

So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. Open Chapter 19 - Read This Chapter

Act 19:21After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

Act 19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

Act 19:23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

Act 19:24 For a certain [man] named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Act 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Act 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

Act 19:27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

Act 19:28 And when they heard [these sayings], they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians.

Act 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

Act 19:30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

Act 19:31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring [him] that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Act 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Act 19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

Act 19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great [is] Diana of the Ephesians.

Act 19:35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, [Ye] men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?

Act 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

Act 19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Act 19:38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

Act 19:39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

Act 19:40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

Act 19:41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Act 20:1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto [him] the disciples, and embraced [them], and departed for to go into Macedonia. After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia Act 20:. 20:1

So we can see that the whole of Ephesus was consumed with pagan idol worship, and was so strong, Pauls life was in danger. From this we can see how entrenched pagan idol worship was around Jesus Christs time, and how we can see the whole population would have had years of this type of influence on them. Consequently it would have been impossible for any man not to have felt a large influence from paganism. Thankfully Jesus Christ and the apostles would have been helped by God to avoid pagan influence. But you can also see how agressive the pagan idol makers were toward the truth of Gods word, and hated Gods word.

(b) Neoplatonisms infuence.

Neoplatonism is the teachings of Plato in later days. Neoplatonism is philosophy , and philosophy in its purest form is a mystic belief structure whereby philosophers belive they can rationalise themselves into a state of high conciousness or spiritual perfection. This is very similar to buddhism, which teaches that self enlightenment is possible ( i.e God has no place in your life ) and that you can thinkkyour way to enlightenment/nirvana. Philosophy was taught amongst the wealthy well educated ancient greeks, and in many respects repeats Nimrods ancient claim to make men smarter than God - this is Satans claim.

What is worth noticing is the following structure of what Neoplatonism is:

In Neoplatonism, a Greek philosophy religion, you hope to become one with the perfect One. The infinite, unknowable, perfect one. This sounds like The Most High God.

From this perfect One emanates the nous or pure intelligence. This sounds like Gods active force ( some call this the holy spirit.)

From the nous comes the world soul. This sounds like Christ. And the world soul is an intermediate between the nous and the material world. This sounds like Christ as our intermediary.

There are other aspects like belief in humans having an everlasting/immortal soul, whereas we are told that the soul can and does die.

But it is this amazing closeness to the trinity from Neoplatonism that should make us stop right here and look at it. While we can see that Neoplatonism is not exactly the model of the trinity, we can see that with previous groups of three gods from pagan religions, Neoplatonisms influence and many early church "fathers" having been either past philosophy students or influenced by philosophy, we can see how it would not have been a difficult jump from pure christianity to trinity thinking in the space of 3 centuries. Again we also understand from research that Constantine while appearing christian, in reality was not christian and so would not have been concerned which way the arian-trinity argument went.

Tertullian, an Ecclesiastical writer of the 2nd and 3rd century coined the expression 'trinitas' for Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the concepts later expressed as the 'three persons in one substance'.

In the statement of the Trinity, Tertullian was a forerunner of the Nicene doctrine, approaching the subject from the standpoint of the Logos doctrine, though he did not fully state the immanent Trinity. His use of trinitas (Latin: 'Threeness') emphasised the manifold character of God. In his treatise against Praxeas, who taught patripassianism in Rome, he used the words, " Trinity and economy, persons and substance." The Son is distinct from the Father, and the Spirit from both the Father and the Son (Adv. Praxeam, xxv).

"These three are one substance, not one person; and it is said, 'I and my Father are one' in respect not of the singularity of number but the unity of the substance." The very names "Father" and "Son" indicate the distinction of personality. The Father is one, the Son is one, and the Spirit is one (Adv. Praxeam, ix). The question whether the Son was coeternal with the Father Tertullian does not set forth in full clarity; and though he did not fully state the doctrine of the immanence of the Trinity, he went a long distance in the way of approach to it.[3]

Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tertullian

So we can see that Tertullian who lived 155-230 AD, he started using the concepts of "substance" and "trinitas". As we know with something like chinese whispers, where something is said on one side of the room, by the time its whispered to the last person, themeaning has changed completely. Now add 300 years of this and men attmepting to understand God by going beyond the Bible and influenced by Platonism and pagan religions - and you have the basis of the trinity firming up strongly.

Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy, and vain deceit; according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ ( Colossians 2:8 ) 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than * according to Christ.

Compare PurposeOfReligion.htm

(c) Going beyond what is written.

God warns us not to exceed what is written :

"Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other." ( 1 Corinthians 4:6 ) 4:6

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

Compare SBtsCommentaryNotes.htm

When God warns us about this, He mentions this so we understand that exceeding the word of God by starting man-made traditions, undermines Gods word because what it really says is that we don’t think Gods word is enough.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness ( 2 Tim 3:16 )

Compare Imitate.htm

Notice it doesn’t say "some scripture" or "which ever bits of scripture you like" - no - it says ALL SCRIPTURE.

So we have the complete tool kit for all things in life and all situations.

When we exceed Gods word, we stray from Gods wisdom.

The wisdom of this world is nonsense in God's sight. That's why Scripture says, "God catches the wise in their cleverness." ( 1 Cor 3:19 ) 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS ";

Consequently, if we truly want to be humble and follow Gods laws, we need to obey Gods laws. This means not exceeding what is written.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."

( Romans 1:16 ) 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.