"I and The Father are One". Literally? (John 10:30)

"I and the Father are one." - John 10:30
 

I have seen this scripture quoted on brochures and flyers from churches when advertising what they teach. It seems it is considered to be a cornerstone of the doctrine they faithfully teach. Unfortunately, they seem to have no idea what Jesus is actually saying. For one to believe that Jesus is saying that he and his Father are literally one in the same being are simply searching for a confirmation bias. Trinitarians believe in a Trinity. Three persons who make up 1 God. Jesus is saying exclusively he and his Father are one, but that's only 2 persons making up the 1 God. Can the Son and the Father be one [triune God] without the 3rd person of said God? I don't know. When I have asked a Trinitarian about this way of thinking the response is "Just because the Holy Spirit isn't mentioned as one with them, doesn't mean he isn't". Which, to me, is weak reasoning and going beyond the scriptures - which is strictly forbidden (1Cor. 4:6). But OK, let's say that is possible. What doesn't make sense though is if Jesus were teaching people that God were a Trinity surely he would have included the Holy Spirit in his words. There's no reason that he wouldn't. Jesus would be completely clear about the nature of God. Not only does he not say that in this instance, but he does not say it in ANY instance. So why believe it?

 

This same syntax has been used by Bible writers before.

 

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." - Genesis 2:24 (ASV)

 

Using the logic that Jesus and his Father being one means they are literally the same flesh, then that same logic must also be applied in other instances when the phrase is used. So when a man and woman get married they then also become literally "one" flesh. As a married man myself, using Trinitarian logic, I am both the husband and my own wife because we are literally "one". A person cannot pick and choose where they apply their logic. So as we find once again, Trinitarian "logic" is nonsensical. 

 

This poses the question: what does Jesus really mean? The answer is simple. He means he is doing the will of his Father. His Fathers will has become his. The purpose that his Father has for the earth and the people on is shared by his Son. They are "one" because they are in union with each other. They are in complete and total agreement. It is a figurative example Jesus was using just as he used at Matthew 19:5 and 6 when he said men and women become "one". Not in the literal sense, in the figurative sense. Trinitarians have a really hard time discerning between the two.

Additionally, if by saying those words he meant that him and his Father are the same being then that must be what he meant when he said:
 

"6 I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word...11 And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are." - John 17:6, 11 (ASV)

 

Jesus is speaking of his followers saying that they will become one "even as we are". So in the same way Jesus and his Father are one, his followers will be one. If Jesus meant that he and his Father are literally the same God and his followers are one in the same way that he and his Father is there is only one explanation: All of Christ's followers are God, too.

 

Of course, that logic is only applied the Trinitarian thinking. The reality of it is Christ's followers will be in union in the same way that he and his Father are in union. Their morals, standards, and beliefs will be in agreement. Where this is interesting is that you can ask 5 Trinitarians to explain the Trinity to you and get a different understanding 5 times. I know, I've done it. Does that sound like Trinitarians are "in union"? If they aren't, can they really be called Christians or followers of Christ? According to Jesus, they can't.

 

John 10:33 is just another example of Trinitarians taking a verse out of context and applying the meaning to it they want to in order to fit their beliefs. Once you sit down and actually research the matter, show the desire to unearth the truth, it will be shown to you. I hope you all do so and find the peace and joy that the truth brings with it.