I do think this subject is extremely important.�� There are those who follow TT but never get involved.� It is for their sake that rebuttal must be made.��� This teaching is so very wrong and needs to be confronted or challenged on every occasion it is introduced into the discussion forum.���
Me?�� I would hang my hat on the scriptures in John that you (Bill) have already introduced.�� Judy is a great one for ignoring the challenge to reconcile her scriptures to those used against her.��� If there was no other passage other than that found in John 17,� Christ speaking of the glory he had with the Father before the worlds were,�� the eternal sonship of the Christ would be established.� The son manifest in the incarnation had a beginning --� I am speaking of the manifestation in the incarnation.��� The son's existence prior to this manifestation is clearly present in scripture and is a continuing thread throughout the Old Bible.�� If not, what is Is 9 all about.�� God HAS ALWAYS EXISTED IN COMMUNITY.� He has always been The Father, The Counselor, The Prince of Peace,� The Mighty God.��
Elohim� --� a plural word spoken to lift up the Largeness of God,� is, nonetheless� (If one believes in the providential work of God in the writing and preservation of scripture), a word that indicates the plurality of God.�� This may not have been the intention of the ancient writer,�� but the door is opened to the notion of the plurality of God with the use of this word.�� Look at the phrase "Abraham and his seed ....;"��� if Paul does not tell us that Christ is this seed� (Gal 3:16),� we would not have that knowledge about the Abrahamic promise.
What I am saying is this,� the biblical writer may have had one thing in mind,� and only one thing, when he/she wrote the words,� but their influence is not the only Influence in play� --�� there is the role that God played in the creation of scripture, as well.�� The Jewish writer could have honored the Magnificent God in any number of ways, but he chooses a word that, at the same time,� allows for the notion of a Divine Fellowship, does he not?�� If we can establish this Divine Fellwoship,� we must conclude that the Son is equally a part of this Community.��
Grace to all
Peace you will find elsewhere
JD
