Who Is God?
We had just mailed last month's editorial (To "Our" Theologians) when we received a booklet, "Except Ye Believe That I Am." It was written by three college students (Tom Hamilton, Jerry Crolius and Doug Raymer) in reply to a paper "Who Is God?" by Thomas, Faye and Eric Honea. The Honea paper was widely distributed last year by Eric Honea, and he solicited the reply. These young writers have, in my estimation, done a wonderful job — and have maintained the humility and awesome respect that we believe should accompany such a study. We quote...
"It would be a tragic mistake for us to state that the subject of knowing God is a simple matter. It would be equally tragic for us to belittle anyone who doesn't agree with every argument in this paper. We do believe our arguments are sound; we believe they are honest; and we accept full responsibility for them. However, because the subject is such a difficult one, we wish to force our conclusions on no one. We are not scholars or experts, but merely believers who wish to present our understanding of the subject. We encourage, even insist, that the reader study the subject for himself in the light of Bible teaching." What a model for older writers!
The Honeas have not cornered the market on "Who Is God?" A reprint of an address by Barton W. Stone, with addenda, "Who Is God?" has been distributed by Adrian C. Swindler. He offers to affirm in public debate, "The Father is the ONLY True God." We sincerely hope if and when his challenge is accepted it will be by one with the above "model" attitude.
Hamilton, Crolius and Raymer write, "There are two major presuppositions around which all the doctrinal arguments in "Who Is God?" revolve..." (They are) "1) a qualitative infinite God can be fully understood in quantitative finite terms, and 2) statements applying to Jesus' relationship to God after he became a man necessarily apply to Jesus' relationship to God before he became a man." They are saying, of course, that neither of these presuppositions are true.
In a personal letter a "Father only" advocate said, "...no law of language permits the trinitarian concept. The same for mathematics." And he is right! No law of human comprehension permits GOD in any absolute sense. We need not and do not accept man-originated dogma regarding "The Trinity," but we must believe that "I Am" is rightly applied to the Christ (Jn. 8:24), as well as to the Father (5:18, Ex. 3:11-14). Finite man can "understand" deity only through faith in revelation, NOT by physical laws.