Chaim ben Yaakov:
Find for us the earliest church-father's teaching possible that unambiguously articulates a very clear view about God, Jesus, the trinity, etc...that mirrors what Protestant Christians believe in today.


Chaim, forgive me for chiming in here. I haven't read all the replies in this thread, so please also forgive me if this was already brought up.

First of all, I guess you're not so much taking issue with this non-biblical word "trinity" as you are with the idea of Jesus' divinity.

I think your question is fair. In fact, I've had this same concern myself. And to the best of my knowledge, there is no place in the gospels where Jesus demanded that we recognize Him as God. Nor could I find any place in the epistles where Paul or Peter prayed to Jesus as God. All of Paul's prayers go something like "I give all glory to almighty God through the Messiah Jesus". Indeed, the overwhelming testimony of the New Testament bears witness to Jesus as the Son of God, who gave His life for the Redemption of all things.

Since you don't accept this foundational testimony, or even that of your own need for redemption, how can you be expected to accept the testimony of the Holy Spirit for the infinitely deeper question of the Spirit you are asking?

I tell you, Chaim - you are putting the cart before the horse. If a person would first consider the possibility that he is in need of salvation, then and only then might he consider the source of that salvation.

Having said that, I will cite two specific scriptures that have been instrumental in my understanding of who Jesus is. The first is Revelation 5:12. This tells me the way things are in heaven, which tells me the way things ought to be on earth.

And the second is the simple prayer of Stephen, as he was being stoned to death in Acts 7:59. This confession of his makes it clear enough for me.

Peace :)