11 Bible Verses That (don’t) Contradict the Trinity Doctrine
Unless you are Tanner the humanist
Tanner the humanist says:
1. God is One, Not Three
The foundation of the Trinity is that God is one being but three persons. However, the Bible consistently emphasizes the oneness of God without mention of three distinct persons.
- Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
This verse, known as the Shema, is a cornerstone of the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faith. It directly states that God is one, with no indication of a triune nature. The simple, straightforward language leaves no room for additional interpretation about three persons.
Response:
Anybody who knows anything about any language other than English knows it is not usually simple and straightforward. The word used for one here is the Hebrew word “Echad”. It is an interesting word because it is the same word used in Genesis 2:24 where God says the TWO (i.e. a man and his wife) will become ONE flesh, so two different people becoming “Echad”. This verse is referring to God as a composite whole not an absolute singularity.
Even Jewish scholars like Benjamin Sommer, Peter Schafer and Alex Segall have established beyond doubt that there is some kind of plurality within YHWH in the Old Testament and a cursory reading of the Old Testament would support their finding. How else would you explain God saying “Let US create man in OUR image and likeness” in Genesis 1:26–28 or YHWH raining fire from YHWH on Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24?
So contrary to Tanner’s claim, there is a lot of scope for interpretation even within the Shema based on the use of the word “Echad” as one. The trinity teaches One God anyway, so not sure what the fuss is about.
Tanner the humanist says:
2–3. Jesus Distinguishes Himself from God
If Jesus were equal to God as part of a Trinity, we would expect Him to make statements affirming this. However, there are verses where Jesus clearly distinguishes Himself from God.
- John 14:28
The Father is greater than I.
Here, Jesus plainly states that the Father is greater than Him, which does not align with the idea of co-equality, a fundamental aspect of the Trinity. - Mark 10:18
Why do you call me good? No one is good — except God alone.
In this verse, Jesus redirects attention away from Himself and points to God as the ultimate source of goodness, implying a distinction between Jesus and God.
Response:
Jesus did claim to be God as part of a trinity, why else would He tell His disciples to,
“…baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
(Matthew 28:19)
Jesus distinguishing Himself from God would not be inconsistent with the trinity because the doctrine literally says there are three persons in the trinity. Since Jesus took on human flesh, of course the Father is greater than Him. Have you not read that Jesus “was made for a little while lower than the angels” when He took on flesh? Ontologically however, Jesus remained God hence He also said,
“ I and My Father are one” (John 10:30)
And again,
“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
(John 17:5)
So clearly there was a unity between God and Jesus before the foundation of the world. The same unity that would fit well with the “multiplicity of persons” in YHWH which Benjamin Sommer and co alluded to earlier, which would fit very well with the trinity.
And on Jesus calling God good? Well Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd as well so if God is good, so is Jesus! You know who else Jesus calls good? The Spirit of God,
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
(Luke 11:13)
So we have God, Jesus and the Spirit all called “good” by Jesus so going with Tanner’s logic (which is very tenuous by the way), the trinity is still established.
Tanner the humanist says:
4–5. The Holy Spirit is Not Clearly a Person
The Trinity teaches that the Holy Spirit is a distinct person within the Godhead. However, many Bible verses describe the Holy Spirit in ways that do not align with personhood.
- Acts 2:17
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
The idea of the Holy Spirit being “poured out” suggests an impersonal force or power rather than a distinct person. - Romans 8:16
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
While the Spirit is described as testifying, this could be understood metaphorically, much like other non-personal entities in scripture are said to act or speak.
Response:
Isn’t it convenient for our friend Tanner that the Holy Spirit is a metaphor when a personal act is attributed to HIM (Not it!)?
The Holy Spirit is clearly a person, He is called a Paraclete which translates to advocate, comforter, intercessor to mention a few. These are clearly acts a person performs. Further, He is depicted as teaching,
“ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
(John 14:26)
He is also depicted as speaking,
“ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” (Acts 8:29)
and again,
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
(Acts 13:2)
He is also said to reprove or convict,
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
(John 16:7–8)
The Holy Spirit is also spoken of as capable of being grieved both in the Old and New Testament,
“But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit…” (Isaiah 63:10)
And again,
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”
(Ephesians 4:30)
To mention a few…
Tanner the humanist says:
6. Jesus Prays to the Father
If Jesus is God, why does He pray to the Father? Prayer implies dependence and subordination, which seem incompatible with the co-equal relationship suggested by the Trinity.
Response:
Again, Jesus is God who took on human flesh, “took on human flesh” being the operative word here. In His human nature, He prays because He is dependent on His Father as a Man. Has Tanner asked himself how Jesus still somehow forgives sins despite praying? Does this not show there is something more going on here?
Tanner the humanist says:
7. No Explicit Trinity Doctrine in the Bible
The word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible, and no verse explicitly teaches the concept. This absence is significant because other key doctrines are clearly stated in scripture.
- 1 Corinthians 8:6
Yet for us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
This verse separates the roles of the Father and Jesus, presenting them as distinct rather than unified in a triune Godhead.
Response:
While the word “trinity” does not appear in the Bible, the doctrine is definitely taught in scripture both Old and New Testament. I will list a few Bible verses and refer you to another article if you are interested in more detail.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
(Matthew 28:19)
“And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
(Mark 1:10–11)
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
(2 Corinthians 13:14)
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4–6)
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
(Ephesians 4:4–6)
Will Tanner the humanist retract this statement and apologize for misinforming his audience?
Tanner the humanist says:
8. The Early Church Did Not Teach the Trinity
Historical evidence shows that the Trinity doctrine developed over centuries. Early Christians focused on the oneness of God and the role of Jesus as the Messiah. It wasn’t until the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE that the concept of the Trinity was formalized.
- John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Jesus refers to the Father as “the only true God,” which conflicts with the idea of a co-equal Trinity.
Response:
The above article directly responds to and refutes this point. Early Christians were very much aware of the trinity and remember the trinity teaches one God anyway so the church was teaching a trinitarian one-ness from the beginning. John 17:3 was cited by Tanner with the same accuracy a Muslim would cite it. The verse does not stop at “The only true God”, it goes on to say “Jesus Christ, whom you sent” so the definition of eternal life is knowing God and knowing Christ.
And on co-equality, I have cited John 17:5 above showing Jesus asking to be glorified with the glory He had with the Father BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. The fact Jesus pre-existed with the Father, shared a glory with the Father and the definition of eternal life involves knowing BOTH Jesus and the Father, this strengthens rather than weakens the claim Jesus is co-equal with the Father.
9. The Holy Spirit is Often Described as God’s Power
Many verses describe the Holy Spirit in terms that align more with God’s active force than a distinct person.
- Luke 1:35
The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Here, the Holy Spirit is equated with “the power of the Most High,” reinforcing the idea that it is God’s power, not a separate being.
Response:
This is the same as point 5 which has been refuted above. Suffice it to say here though that there is a subtle parallel with Genesis 1. In the creation story, the Spirit of God is said to brood upon the waters and in the restoration of creation beginning with the birth of Christ, the Spirit of God now broods upon Mary. Again shows you just how deep and unified the Bible is despite the best (but ultimately vain) efforts of our friends at Deconstructing Christianity to convince us otherwise.
Tanner the humanist says:
10. Paul’s Writings Focus on the Father and the Son
The Apostle Paul’s letters are central to Christian theology, but they rarely mention the Holy Spirit in a way that suggests personhood. Instead, Paul often emphasizes the roles of the Father and the Son.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
Paul distinguishes Jesus as a mediator rather than equating Him with God.
In point 7, we gave a number of verses that show Paul talking about the trinity and the Spirit. Paul teaches on gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, does a non-entity give gifts? In one of those verses, Paul also says may the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” be with you! Can you fellowship with a non-personal entity? Paul also says not to grieve the Spirit, can a non-personal entity be grieved?
Tanner the humanist says:
11. The Trinity is a Mystery, But Why?
Trinitarian doctrine is often described as a “mystery” that cannot be fully understood. However, the Bible’s teachings about God are generally straightforward and meant to be understood by believers.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace — as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
If God is not a God of disorder, why would He reveal Himself in a way that is inherently confusing and contradictory?
Response:
I do not know where our friend Tanner has gotten the idea that the Bible’s teachings about God are generally straightforward and meant to be understood by believers. We would need him to provide a source for that. There are uncountable phenomena in the universe that cannot and will likely never be understood so why in the world does Tanner believe the creator of all of that will be very simple to understand?
And as if to drive home the point Tanner has no idea what he is talking about he cites a verse that is specifically talking about “confusion and order in context of a church service” and applies it to the context of God’s revelation about Himself.
Thank you for reading! What are your thoughts on my rebuttal of Tanner’s Bible verses that appear to contradict the Trinity Doctrine? Share your comments below!
