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*chuckle* Remember a few years ago when I was called a modalist and a heretic because I questioned whether "three Persons" was the best way of expressing the Godhead? I've since come to the conclusion that I was right, but that the original Nicene and Athenasian Creeds are technically right as well.

The confusion stems from the fact that the meaning of the key terms--"person" and "begotten" in particular--has changed over time, but the translations haven't kept up and the churches haven't done a good job of educating their people.

The fact is that the Diety of Messiah isn't that difficult to illustrate if one simply accepts that He is the embodiment of what Scripture calls God's Word, His Glory, His Face, His Right Arm, His Wisdom, His Light, His Torah--that which the rabbis call the Sh'khinah. He is generated rather than created or fashioned from God, who is the Father. Just as the Sun doesn't sit down with tools and fashion light, but rather generates light as part of its quintessential nature, so God generates (begets) His Light as a part of His nature.

That illustration, btw, was used by both Tertullian and Irenaeus (if anyone wants to challenge their credentials as Christians, go right on ahead), and by R. Eliezer in explaining the Sh'khinah, the Divine Presence.

Pretty much my only problem with Trinitarianism is its tendency to overemphasize "Tri-". HaShem Echad. Too many Christians are functional Tri-theists, utterly ignorant of their own creeds (even though they'll instantly question the salvation of someone who questions them) and incapable of answering even basic questions about Trinitarianism themselves.

I'm not shooting this at anyone being pinged here. I'm just lamenting the situation in general, especially since it personally impacted me a few years ago, including the loss of at least one FRiend. I still greatly appreciate the support I got from my fellow Neeners.

If I hadn't gotten that support, and if I hadn't delved into this matter through not only Scripture directly, but through both the Christian and the Jewish commentators, I too might have come to the conclusion that "Trinity" was a 4th Century heresy that needed to be expunged rather than being simply misunderstood by the vast majority of its adherants.

Shalom.