I have a Jehovah's Witness co-worker who denies the Trinity.  He says the word "Trinity" is not found in the New Testament.  He claims nowhere does the Bible say God is one but in three persons.  He also mentioned the church only developed the idea of the Trinity many centuries after the New Testament was written.

My question is: where did the word "trinity" originate, who was the first to use it, and why was it accepted as an orthodox Christian belief even though it is not explicitly defined in the New Testament?

Sincerely,
Three Questions

Dear Three Questions,

Your Jehovah Witness co-worker is right about the word ‘Trinity’… but wrong on the nature of God.  It is disingenuous to say that just because the word ‘Trinity’ isn’t found in the New Testament that the concept of a trinity Godhead isn’t biblical.  The concept of the Trinity is that there are three distinct persons that are all equally deity.  That principle is found throughout the Bible.  Jhn 1:1 points out the deity of Christ.  Gen 1:2 shows the eternal nature of the Holy Spirit, and Lk 3:21-22 shows all three Deity working independently of each other.  The Scriptures also show that all three members of the Godhead are of equal authority (Matt 28:19).  In short, the Trinity is expressly defined in the New Testament… that is where its origins lie.

Do you think it's possible for the Shroud of Turin to be real?  I know there isn't really any biblical evidence to prove it or not, but in your opinion, do you think it's possible?

Sincerely,
Cloth Collector

Dear Cloth Collector,

No, we don’t think it is real.  The reason we don’t is because – as you said – there is no evidence.  The Shroud of Turin is supposed to be the cloth that was placed over Jesus’ face at burial, but the only group who has been saying this is the Catholic church.  The Shroud has been dated to the Middle Ages… not the first century.  The Shroud supposedly has Jesus’ face etched into the cloth – the Bible never mentions such a supernatural feat occurring at Christ’s burial.  In short, there isn’t any historical evidence that points toward its validity, and there isn’t any Biblical evidence.  No evidence, no truth.

I have a question regarding Isaiah 3:1-3 (NIV).  Someone told me that for first-time Bible readers, if they were to look at this Scripture first, they would think that enchanters and soothsayers were ranked among heroes, warriors, prophets, judges, elders, counselors, etc.  Why then were "enchanters and soothsayers" included in this "positive passage" when other verses condemn them?

Sincerely,
Not A Mind-Reader

Dear Not A Mind-Reader,

Isaiah 3:1-3 is simply telling the people that they will be deprived of all that they value.  All of the classes that are considered superior by the people would be wiped out.  The soothsayer was honored by the people in Jerusalem, but that doesn’t mean that God was pleased with enchanters and soothsayers.  As you said, God makes it clear in other verses that He detests such occult behavior (1 Sam. 15:23).

Is Mohammad a biblical character that was distorted and deified by man, or was he created by Islam?  Is there any record of a prophet in the Bible named Mohammad?

Sincerely,
Prophet Perusing

Dear Prophet Perusing,

Mohammad is a purely Islamic figure.  The Bible never mentions a prophet named Mohammad, and the Moslem religion is entirely without Biblical endorsement.  Jesus says that He is the only way to God (Jhn 14:6).  Mohammad taught that he knew a different way… they can’t both be right.  Mohammad was just another false teacher (Matt 24:11).

I would like to know if once you are saved, are you always saved?  Can you never lose your salvation no matter what you do?  This is what I was told about this basic teaching in Jhn 10:27-29.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
For Keeps

Dear For Keeps,

The idea that you can’t ever lose your salvation is a warping of Christ’s message in Jhn 10:27-29.  “Once saved, always saved” is a basic doctrine of Calvinism (read “Calvin And Sobs” for more details on the errors of Calvinism).  The Bible clearly says that you can lose your salvation.  Heb 3:12 says that we must be wary and protect our hearts because an evil, unbelieving heart can fall away.  2 Pet 3:17 says that we can lose our salvation if we get caught up in false teaching (1 Tim 4:1 also states this).  If we return to a life of ungodliness, then we crucify Christ again (Heb 6:4-6).