Again we're left wondering (whether Jews or any other objective observer) where any of the "real" christians were from the apostles/disciples time period until the end of the 4th century, who believed in the modern day view of the Trinity.

Can we (Jews and Christians here) at least agree that believers in Jesus who were dualists, montanists, gnostics, etc.., were idolators or heretics in some way and were therefore not really worshipping the one true God (in spirit or in truth)? We agree that God does not appreciate idolatry, right? It seems most christians here on this forum - unless I'm mistaken - don't mind that history records all "christians" worshipping God in some heretical or idolatrous way. Where am I wrong? Was idolatry accepted and "okay" for about 300 years after Jesus since no one was seemingly capable of articulating the correct trinity formula so that the masses could correctly worship God?

While history seems silent on "real" Trinitarians who lived between 80-380 ACE, there are some writings from even before that period that shows Jews never worshipped anything remotely resembling a Trinity, and were strict, radical monotheists. See here:

LINK

Here's a snippet of quotes from Tacitus, Josephus, etc (none of whom mention Jews worshipping a "god" in 3 forms, persons, etc..:

In a lengthy article from 1955, Samuel Cohon surveyed

references both in ancient Jewish and non-Jewish texts

illustrating Jewish self-affirmation and their identification by

others in clearly monotheistic rhetoric.<32> Of non-Jewish

writers, we may note Tacitus as an example: "the Jews acknowledge

one God only, and conceive of Him by the mind alone,"<33>

reflecting Jewish monotheism and rejection of cult images. Among

non-rabbinic texts of Jewish provenance, Cohon surveys

affirmations of God's uniqueness in Sibylline Oracles (3:11-12,

545-61; cf. 4:27-32; 5:172-76, 493-500), Aristeas (132-38) ,

Wisdom of Solomon (13-15), and references in Philo (e.g.,

Quest.Gen. 4:8; Vit.Mos. 1:75; Decal. 52-81; Spec.Leg. 1:1-52;

Leg.Alleg. 3:97-99, 436-38) and Josephus (e.g., Ant. 2.12:4;

Apion 2:33ff.).<34>


And for those here like Dougg, who believe Jews conspired after Jesus to hide all teachings about a 3-in-1 trinity, etc.., I recommend Josephus' Antiquities. Although Josephus is frowned upon by the majority of Orthodox Jews, he doesn't offer pagan, idolatrous views in his summary of what the Torah teaches (ex. with regard to Moses seeing God's "back", etc.).

Let us know what you find, Dougg.




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"He who saves one life... it is as if he saves an entire universe. He who destroys a life... it is as if he destroys an entire universe"

TALMUD - Sanhedrin 4:5

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