Interestingly, Soka Gakkai International claims fulfilling worldly desires brings enlightenment, perhaps in this lifetime, unlike classic Buddhism which connects enlightenment to a denial of desires. (13).
Previous work from this website in regard to the deity of Jesus Christ and the theological concept of the triune God.
Colossians 2:9-10 (Him is Jesus Christ) 'New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made [a]complete, and He is the head [b]over all rule and authority;
Footnotes:
Colossians 2:10
Lit full
Colossians 2:10
Lit of
N.T. Wright explains in regard to Colossians 2: 9-10, it is an continuation of 1:19 (109), 'for all the fulness to dwell in him.' (NASB).
'He is uniquely God's presence and his very self'. (109). Wright reasons that Paul is teaching monotheistic doctrine here and not that Jesus Christ is a second deity. (109). Christ is the embodiment of full deity. (109).
Jesus Christ, the Word (John 1) remains infinite, eternal God, and became God incarnate.
Acts 2: 24 states that God raised Him (Jesus Christ) from the dead and in the process defeated death.
From Hebrews 1; Greek scholar Walter Bauer defines 'Hupostasis' the original ὑπόστασις, εως, ἡit from the Greek as substantial nature, essence, actual being, reality. In the context of Hebrews 1: 3 the Son of God is the exact representation of God’s real being. (page 847).
Erickson further explains that each member of the Trinity is quantitatively equal. Erickson (1994: 337). Matthew 28: 19-20 and Acts 5 are two examples from the New Testament demonstrating the Holy Spirit as God.
Matthew 28:19-20
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”
Footnotes:
Matthew 28:19 Or Having gone; Gr aorist part.
Matthew 28:20 Lit all the days
Acts 5: 2-6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
It is stated that one can lie to the Holy Spirit (verse 3) and therefore lie to God. 'You have not lied to men, but to God.' (verse 4).
All three distinctions within the trinity are infinite, of one ontological (existence and being) essence and nature, and yet with distinctions. In speculation, a philosophical critique might be that the infinite nature of God requires no distinctions or differently that God being infinite, should exist as infinite distinctions. Finite, sinful and imperfect humanity needs God's enlightenment from revelation to reasonably know God and to have significant intellectual understanding. God is Scripturally revealed in three distinctions and three persons, properly biblically defined. This is not completely understandable for the finite mind, but it is reasonable to the finite mind. To suggest that God as infinite must have infinite distinctions is not necessarily true, theologically, is not necessary philosophically, and is highly speculative philosophy of religion.
The incarnation of Jesus Christ has the infinite, eternal Word of God (John 1) take upon a finite human nature without the infinite divine nature and finite human nature, mixing.
Therefore, Jesus Christ remains infinite, eternal God, but with two natures as both deity and incarnated man. God as trinity is relational in nature and therefore humanity is made in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:27).
Humanity is therefore specifically relational and rational in the context of being made in the image and likeness of God. The infinite God could create finite creatures capable of relationship and communication in rationality, because being relational and rational is also an aspect of God's nature.
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
WRIGHT, N.T., Colossians and Philemon, (1986)(1989), IVP, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids.
I think it was a good take, but in attempting to be under 3:59, everything is not always thoroughly explained. To be clear, I am not stating this group has the same essential, core theology as orthodox Christianity. I was stating that this group, when it claims exclusivity of truth, excludes all other groups, even those with similar core views.
10 Questions & Answers on Mormonism, Rose Publishing, MA
Ronald Clements explains that henotheism is the exclusive worship of one god, while holding to a theological belief that other gods exist and may be worshipped by other peoples. Clements (1999:248).
Cambridge and Alan E. Lewis states that henotheism is allegiance to one supreme deity while conceding the existence of others. This is also described as monolatry, incipient monotheism and practical theism. Lewis (1996: 321-322)
The far more well-known theological concept of polytheism is related as it is the belief in, and worship of many gods and Blackburn connects polytheism to Hinduism. Blackburn (1996: 292).
It is the belief in many gods and the implied opposite of monotheism. Shorter (1999: 454).
Therefore, theologically and philosophically, henotheism is under the umbrella of polytheism.
Biblical, New Testament, trinitarian theology views the trinity as three distinctions or persons that are equally eternal God in nature and essence (Hebrews 1, Matthew 28, Acts 5 as examples).
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CLEMENTS ROGER (1999) ‘Henontheism’ in lan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, London, ACM Press.
LEWIS, ALAN E. (1996) 'Henotheism' in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
SHORTER, AYLWARD (1999) ‘Polytheism’ in lan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, London, ACM Press.
100 Prophecies Fulfilled By Jesus (2002), Rose Publishing, MA.
HAMILTON, VICTOR P. (1988) Handbook on the Pentateuch, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
LA SOR, WILLIAM SANFORD, DAVID ALLAN HUBBARD, AND FREDERIC WILLIAM BUSH. (1987) Old Testament Survey, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
