Product Description

In Divine Truth or Human Tradition? the author examines the viewpoints and Scripture expositions of prominent evangelical scholars and apologists; including popular author and debater Dr. James R. White (author of The Forgotten Trinity), John MacArthur (President of The Master's Seminary), Wayne Grudem (author of the widely-read Systematic Theology), Robert Bowman Jr. (author of Why You Should Believe in the Trinity), Robert Morey (Founder of California Biblical University & Seminary and author of The Trinity, Evidence and Issues), R. C. Sproul (President of Ligonier Ministries), Robert L. Reymond (author of Jesus, Divine Messiah and A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith), and others. According to what has long been considered mainstream Christian "orthodoxy," the doctrine of the Trinity (the idea that the one true God is-in the ultimate sense-a divine being made up of three co-equal and co-eternal persons) is not only central to the Christian faith, but absolutely necessary for one to accept in order to be counted as a true Christian and be saved. Such a demand on a Christian's faith has come across as strange and perplexing to many, especially so in light of the fact pointed out by one respected Trinitarian: "[The Trinity] is not clearly or explicitly taught anywhere in Scripture, yet it is widely regarded as a central doctrine, indispensable to the Christian faith. In this regard, it goes contrary to what is virtually an axiom [that is, a given, a self-evident truth] of biblical doctrine, namely, that there is a direct correlation between the scriptural clarity of a doctrine and its cruciality to the faith and life of the church." (Millard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons, p. 11. Emphasis added) Understandably, this fact has raised questions in the minds of Christians and truth-seekers alike ever since the doctrine was first decreed as mandatory to confess in the late 4th century. Many Christians

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #443001 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 576 pages

About the Author
The author, Patrick Navas, is a Christian and student of the Bible from Los Angeles, California, and was twenty-seven years old at the time the book was published. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in History in 2005 and is presently (2006) in the process of earning a California Teacher's Credential and Masters Degree in Education through the University of La Verne. He is planning on teaching 8th grade U.S. History but would eventually like to teach History and Comparative Religious studies at the college level. For questions or comments, email: navaspc@sbcglobal.net

Customer Reviews

Divine Truth or Human Tradition
In this book, Patrick Navas provides a very even handed and thorough critique of the doctrine of the Trinity. Gratefully, at no point within his book did I feel that Patrick resorted to disingenuous rhetorical tactics in order to persuade. Rather, I found his arguments to be both well-informed and well-reasoned, and his overall approach to the topic to be quite charitable.

While Patrick does share some of his own thoughts on the matter, he mainly appeals to the research of well-known and respected evangelical scholars. He repeatedly demonstrates how these scholars concede, not only that the doctrine of the Trinity is foreign to the NT, but also that the classical proof-texts for a Trinitarian interpretation are far from conclusive.

Finally, even though his book is principally devoted to addressing the falsity of a Trinitarian interpretation, throughout his book, Patrick shows himself to have a greater incentive than mere doctrinal persuasion. He writes, "In whatever way a Christian understands certain portions of Scripture that may be considered ambiguous to some degree, such will not change the fact that the Christian life should be characterized first and foremost by our loving God with all that we are, and by loving our neighbor as ourselves, in imitation of the way that God loved us, manifested in the sacrifice of his Son for our sake."

audio interview about the book
The book is a solid contribution to the growing consensus among Bible-centered critical thinkers that the Trinity is not taught in the Christian Scriptures but is rather a later dogma imposed on the biblical authors by later Christians who had lost touch with their Jewish roots. [...]

Objective
My wife has purchased several copies of this book. With full respect for the word of God, the author objectively examines arguments and scriptures cited for - and sometimes against - the Trinity concept of God (or perhaps spectrum of concepts). Objectivity is no small feat in this arena. The various arguments are fairly presented, while some lapses in their logic are duly noted. For example, if Jesus being the son of David does not make him David, then how would being the Son of God make him God?
The book is well organized, with lengthy chapters on The Father-Son Relationship and the deity of Christ, and somewhat shorter chapters on "I am" statements and the Holy Spirit. About 25 New Testament and 9 Old Testament scriptures are given, along with related detailed arguments for and against various Trinity concepts, then with an analysis of each scripture. A scripture index to this 565-page book is needed but unfortunately not included.
To define Trinity, many Trinitarian scholars are cited: Wayne Grudem, James R. White, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, E. Calvin Beisner, Robert Bowman, Robert L. Reymond, Millard J. Erickson, F.F. Bruce, Gerard Sloyan (Roman Catholic), C.F.D. Moule (Anglican), Samuele Bacchiochi (7th Day Adventist) and many others; a few non-Trinitarian scholars: Greg Stafford (Arian), Anthony Buzzard (Socinian), A.E. Knoch and others; a non-religious Greek professor, Jason BeDuhn; and both Michael Servetus (Arian) and John Calvin (who successfully urged his execution).
"Divine Truth or Human Tradition" is recommended for those who desire to think critically concerning what the scriptures say about the nature of God, including those who are bothered by an answer that the Trinity is a mystery which no one can understand. It is not recommended for any who wish to see no problems with their own theologies. J.B. Parkinson