Jesus as Savior, Thoughts About the Trinity, and Jesus Hiding Things

Hi Cousin!

The other night when we were having our "theological argument" at your dad's house, you made a point that kind of got drowned out. You challenged me to give reasons for why I believe Lutheranism is true. I didn't come prepared to make that case. And I'm not formally prepared to now. However, your challenge was a fair one, and I'd like, if it would be okay with you, to drop you a line once in a while to share with you bits and pieces of why I have come to the theological conclusions I have. (And you are more than welcome to comment.)

Since we spoke, I have been thinking about the doctrine of the Trinity. I think I’m stating the case rightly when I say that the doctrine of the Trinity, rather than being a formula explicitly stated in Scripture, is one derived from Scripture. It attempts to summarize, and bring harmony to, the various things Scripture reveals (both explicitly and implicitly) about the nature of God. The doctrine of the Trinity was eventually stated formally in order to draw a distinction between accurate Scriptural teaching and deviant teaching that was creeping up in some sectors.

I imagine such a formulation is not completely foreign even to your church. For instance, the JW teaching on the topic of God's "theocracy" may be something like that; it attempts to provide a unified interpretation of teaching found in bits and pieces throughout Scripture. Arguing that such a thing is not explicitly taught misses the point; it is implicitly taught when reading Scripture as a whole. It is useful in delineating how a religious group's beliefs differ from those of another.

To understand where I and many other Christians are coming from on the Trinity, you should realize that the doctrine of the Trinity is not controversial in our circles. When we read Scripture, we do so assuming God's nature is Triune. If a JW or Mormon asks the average Christian where the doctrine of the Trinity is found in Scripture, he may not have an answer off the top of his head. It's almost akin to asking, “Where does Scripture support the idea that God is good?” The seeming answer is, All over! But it may not be obvious where to begin making a defense for it. Basically, like God's goodness, Jesus' divine nature is "a given." But the average Christian would have to do some homework to make a compelling case for it.

I intend to keep this question of the Trinity, as well as others we discussed, in the back of my mind and toss things out to you as I contemplate them. Thursday morning provided me the seed for one such opportunity.

On our morning drive to school, my son was working on memorizing a verse from Luke 1 that reads:
46 And Mary said:
"My soul exalts the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. "
It struck me that this is one of those passages I would categorize as a "Trinitarian clue."

Here Mary, in an expression of worship, says that God is her Savior. We see this echoed many places in Scripture. However, we also see the title “Savior” liberally applied to Jesus. Obvious questions arise for me: Why did the New Testament writers assign a title to Jesus that had always been reserved for YHWH? Why did they deviate from the message that was already familiar to their readers, that YHWH was their Savior? If they did not believe that Jesus was in some sense YHWH, why did they choose to use wording that would blur the distinction? Why did they choose controversial wording that could reasonably be interpreted blasphemous?

Below is a list I assembled (using biblegateway.com) of every passage in Scripture that uses the term “Savior.” (In this particular English translation, The New American Standard, “YHWH” is translated to the word "LORD," as was the custom of the translators of the Hebrew Scriptures into other languages. They considered the name of God so sacred as to be inappropriate to speak with human lips. Accordingly, my understanding is the word YHWH does not appear in any original text found in the New Testament.)

If I read these passages with no predisposition as to whether or not Jesus is in some sense YHWH, to my eyes, an implication in the affirmative surfaces. (For obvious reasons, Isaiah 43:11 and Hosea 13:4 really stands out as a significant clue.)

BibleGateway link to this list:
http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=savior&searchtype=all&version1=49&spanbegin=1&spanend=73
  1. 2 Samuel 22:3
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.
    2 Samuel 22:2-4 (in Context) 2 Samuel 22 (Whole Chapter)
  2. Psalm 17:7
    Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them.
    Psalm 17:6-8 (in Context) Psalm 17 (Whole Chapter)
  3. Psalm 106:21
    They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt,
    Psalm 106:20-22 (in Context) Psalm 106 (Whole Chapter)
  4. Isaiah 19:20
    It will become a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.
    Isaiah 19:19-21 (in Context) Isaiah 19 (Whole Chapter)
  5. Isaiah 43:3
    "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
    Isaiah 43:2-4 (in Context) Isaiah 43 (Whole Chapter)
  6. Isaiah 43:11
    "I, even I, am the LORD, And there is no savior besides Me.
    Isaiah 43:10-12 (in Context) Isaiah 43 (Whole Chapter)
  7. Isaiah 45:15
    Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, Savior!
    Isaiah 45:14-16 (in Context) Isaiah 45 (Whole Chapter)
  8. Isaiah 45:21
    " Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD?And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me.
    Isaiah 45:20-22 (in Context) Isaiah 45 (Whole Chapter)
  9. Isaiah 49:26
    "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; And all flesh will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
    Isaiah 49:25-26 (in Context) Isaiah 49 (Whole Chapter)
  10. Isaiah 60:16
    "You will also suck the milk of nations and suck the breast of kings; Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
    Isaiah 60:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 60 (Whole Chapter)
  11. Isaiah 63:8
    For He said, "Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely." So He became their Savior.
    Isaiah 63:7-9 (in Context) Isaiah 63 (Whole Chapter)
  12. Jeremiah 14:8
    "O Hope of Israel, Its Savior in time of distress, Why are You like a stranger in the land Or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night?
    Jeremiah 14:7-9 (in Context) Jeremiah 14 (Whole Chapter)
  13. Hosea 13:4
    Yet I have been the LORD your God Since the land of Egypt; And you were not to know any god except Me, For there is no savior besides Me.
    Hosea 13:3-5 (in Context) Hosea 13 (Whole Chapter)
  14. Luke 1:47
    And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
    Luke 1:46-48 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
  15. Luke 2:11
    for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
    Luke 2:10-12 (in Context) Luke 2 (Whole Chapter)
  16. John 4:42
    and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."
    John 4:41-43 (in Context) John 4 (Whole Chapter)
  17. Acts 5:31
    " He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
    Acts 5:30-32 (in Context) Acts 5 (Whole Chapter)
  18. Acts 13:23
    " From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,
    Acts 13:22-24 (in Context) Acts 13 (Whole Chapter)
  19. Ephesians 5:23
    For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
    Ephesians 5:22-24 (in Context) Ephesians 5 (Whole Chapter)
  20. Philippians 3:20
    For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
    Philippians 3:19-21 (in Context) Philippians 3 (Whole Chapter)
  21. 1 Timothy 1:1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
    1 Timothy 1:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)
  22. 1 Timothy 2:3
    This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
    1 Timothy 2:2-4 (in Context) 1 Timothy 2 (Whole Chapter)
  23. 1 Timothy 4:10
    For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.
    1 Timothy 4:9-11 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4 (Whole Chapter)
  24. 2 Timothy 1:10
    but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
    2 Timothy 1:9-11 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)
  25. Titus 1:3
    but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior,
    Titus 1:2-4 (in Context) Titus 1 (Whole Chapter)
  26. Titus 1:4
    To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
    Titus 1:3-5 (in Context) Titus 1 (Whole Chapter)
  27. Titus 2:10
    not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
    Titus 2:9-11 (in Context) Titus 2 (Whole Chapter)
  28. Titus 2:13
    looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
    Titus 2:12-14 (in Context) Titus 2 (Whole Chapter)
  29. Titus 3:4
    But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
    Titus 3:3-5 (in Context) Titus 3 (Whole Chapter)
  30. Titus 3:6
    whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
    Titus 3:5-7 (in Context) Titus 3 (Whole Chapter)
  31. 2 Peter 1:1
    Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
    2 Peter 1:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter)
  32. 2 Peter 1:11
    for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
    2 Peter 1:10-12 (in Context) 2 Peter 1 (Whole Chapter)
  33. 2 Peter 2:20
    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
    2 Peter 2:19-21 (in Context) 2 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
  34. 2 Peter 3:2
    that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
    2 Peter 3:1-3 (in Context) 2 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
  35. 2 Peter 3:18
    but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
    2 Peter 3:17-18 (in Context) 2 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
  36. 1 John 4:14
    We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
    1 John 4:13-15 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)
  37. Jude 1:25
    to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
    Jude 1:24-25 (in Context) Jude 1 (Whole Chapter)

To the Trinitarian, these passages make absolute sense. Trinitarians believe Scripture teaches that Jesus is God, Jesus is Lord, and Jesus is Savior. So the use of these terms in a rather interchangeable manner, applying them to both the Father and the Son, is completely natural. Scripture teaches YHWH is the only God, Lord, and Savior. And oh, by the way, Jesus is God, Lord, and Savior. (Notice how, in verse 4 of Titus 3, God is called "our Savior," and then two verses later, Jesus Christ is called "our Savior.")

We also know from Scripture that God is one, but that the Son is not the same as the Father. How can that reconcile? Well, to be faithful to all these facts, we conclude that YHWH's nature must be "one God in three persons." There's nothing sinister here.

The doctrine of the Trinity is not that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three individual Gods. Rather, it's that they are three persons. The Trinitarian formula is: one God in three persons. Trinitarians say that the Father is God, Jesus (the Son) is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And the term God in each case refers to the same "divine substance," as one of our historic Christian creeds words it. God is one, and there is only one God.

The formal development of the doctrine of the Trinity was not an evolution or outgrowth of pagan religious concepts. It was an attempt by Christians to bring clarity to what YHWH had revealed about Himself in Scripture.

Some may complain that they'd like even more clarity or detail, that the Trinity is difficult to understand. But we only have the details God has revealed to us; we simply don't have access to any more information on the matter. But contrary to what some people claim about it, I fail to recognize anything irrational about it. Given the text of Scripture, it strikes me as a straightforward, elegant explanation. (This issue of how the word "Savior" is used is just one example of what the doctrine explains. I hope to be sharing more examples with you later.)

I have sometimes wondered why, if Jesus was actually YHWH, he didn't come right out and say it. I think part of the answer might be found in examining Jesus' communication style. A lot of times Jesus kept things somewhat veiled. In Matthew 13 we find this:
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
11 Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.
12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.
13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
And in John 10 we find:
24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me.
Jesus intentionally made it so that not everyone would understand him. He didn't spoon feed people. And he didn't draw attention to himself. A lot of times even his disciples were slow to "connect the dots." There were numerous times Jesus actually forbade people from revealing his true identity or telling about his miraculous works (examples: Matt. 8:4, 16:20, 17:9, Mark 8:30, Luke 4:41, 5:14, 8:56). I don't claim to fully understand the reasoning behind Jesus' choice to keep some things hidden. But it does seem "in character" for Jesus not to spell everything out -- particularly regarding his identity -- leaving it to his followers, who were familiar with Scripture, to figure it all out. And from what I can tell from his followers' writings, they did indeed concluded that Jesus was YHWH.

One last point: Trinitarians understand the term "God" or "YHWH" in Scripture to mean different things depending upon the context. When Jesus uses the term God, he's usually referring specifically to the Father. However, there are other times in Scripture where the reference is to Jesus specifically or to the Holy Spirit specifically. I realize you don't agree with that. But if you keep that in mind as an alternate reading, you can see how it is that Christians interpret some Scripture passages in a different way than you're accustomed to, and yet it makes sense.

I appreciate your challenge, because it has spawned in my mind a lot of other ideas I'd like to run by you. The book your wife gave me about similarities between pagan religious practices and Catholicism (The Two Babylons) was interesting. It's come to mind a few times this Christmas season. Anyway, feel free to comment in any way you wish.

Mike
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