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I agree with you 1000 silverlings, after reading this thread, Four verses just jumped out at me. The first was 1- Cor. 10:12 "Let he who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (N.A.S.) Getting back to faith for a moment, Hebrews 11:1 says in the King James version " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Our small minds can not yet fathom the exact nature of God. The one thing I don't think I'll ever understand, but I just plain believe, is how three distinct entities can be one. I believe God in Heaven, after many prophets were rejected by mankind, decided to come down to Earth himself, to show us how much he loves us, to break the reign of sin that Adam had initiated, and to show us how to live our lives in a way that we would have a more intimate relationship with him. He came down and in although in the full nature of God, was born as a man. He needed to live a sinless life in order to defeat the power of sin over mankind, right on through to the end of his earthly life. Having done this, Being God, he rose again from the dead.(Something else I don't think I'll ever quite understand, I just believe that it happened) and so returning to heaven, but leaving behind part of himself, the Comforter, Or Holy Spirit (also God) to fill, guide, protect and convict us. To be part of our whole being, to live within us. Hebrews 11:6 (N.I.V.)-" And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him". 2nd Timothy 2:23 (N.A.S.) "but refuse foolish and endless speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels" or the N.I.V. states it this way " Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels" the next verse says " And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." If we try to have all the answers and "proof" of the nature of God why would we need faith at all? God wants people who honestly love him and trust him to live with him in eternity, I don't think he approves of "know-it-alls" but I know he love them just the same Because God is not a respecter of persons. He loves all people equally, not willing that any of us should perish, but that we should all live with him for eternity. BUT he gave us all a free will to choose or believe what we want to, and also do as we please anything our hearts or minds desire, but not without consequence. He WILL separate the wheat from the tares, because we can't work or connive our way into heaven or live a life of Godlessness and think all is well. This is serious business. I don't know where the exact verse is but I think it was Paul who said "Let each person work out his own salvation with fear and trembling" or something like that. Somewhere else I remember someone saying, either one of the Apostles or Jesus. " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding" (or wisdom) Even though the word trinity is not in the bible the concept is all throughout. God the Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit(or Comforter) are all one in the same, but yet distinct in their own unique natures. I guess we'll understand it more clearly when we get to heaven. You either believe that God's word is true and inerrant as laid down by the holy spirit through men or you don't. Romans 10:17 says (K.J.V.) " So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God".