Continued from Chapter 16
(
1 Samuel 16:15)
Proving the existence of a Quaternary
Trinitarians manipulate the
Scriptures to establish the triune doctrine. If they had a Quaternary to prove, this would be demonstrated just as easily from the biblical text.
That this observation is not an exaggeration can be seen from the words
ruach ’Elohim (“
the spirit of God”), found in
Genesis 1:2. According to trinitarianism, the phrase “
the spirit of God” represents one distinct entity of the triune deity. Following this exegetical approach to its logical conclusion, we will obtain not a trinity but a quaternary. If the divine spirit is to be treated as an entity in itself, then the evil spirit should be granted similar status, for just as the “holy spirit” is referred to as a spirit of God, so is the “
evil spirit.” This is clearly found in the words of Saul’s servants to him: “
Behold now, an evil spirit of God is terrifying you” (
1 Samuel 16:15), and the subsequent use of this term in verse 16: “
when the evil spirit of God comes upon you.” Are we to surmise, then, that there really exists a divine quaternary—Father, Son, Spirit of God and Evil Spirit of God (see also
Judges 9:23, 1 Kings 22:21f.)?
Evidently, the terms “
spirit of God” and “
evil spirit of God” express certain aspects of God’s will and action rather than His essence. Or perhaps proof of a Quaternary can be found in Stephen’s alleged vision just prior to his death. “
But being full of holy spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the Glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (
Acts 7:55). One could argue that we have here the “
Holy Spirit” indwelling Stephen, the Glory of God standing at the right hand of God, Jesus also at the right hand of God, and God. In this case, the doctrine of the Quaternary would be: the Father, the Son, the Glory of God and the
Holy Spirit. A further indication of the futility of the viewpoint expressed by Christians is found in
Proverbs 3:19: “
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens.” According to many Christians, “
wisdom” is to be considered a real being, the second member of the Trinity, and the agent by which God created the world. But to follow this reasoning one may very well say that “
understanding” also represents a real being and the agent by which God created the heavens. No doubt, if Christians needed to prove God a quaternary, they would claim that not only “
wisdom” but also “
understanding” is a distinct personality within the nature of God.
©
Gerald Sigal
Continued