The Trinity is a true doctrine of the Bible

=== Definitions === D1: Trinity The trinity is a doctrine that was set up in the Athanasian Creed. It is contained in lines 5-26 thereof, which you will find below. I've edited them to contain only the relevant text. D2: True True in this context means "correct," just as it would if we were referring to a "true statement" or "true words." It is modifying "doctrine" - for a doctrine to be true, it must be correct. If my opponent wished to only argue that the trinity is a doctrine of the bible, he should have either used "truly" to modify "is" or left the word out completely. As written, the resolution makes two claims - the Trinity is a doctrine of the bible, and that doctrine, the Trinity, is true. === Athanasian Creed (taken from http://www.ccel.org...) === A5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. A6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. A7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. [...] A11. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal. A12. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible. [...] A14. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. A15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; A16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. A17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord; A18. And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord. [...] A21. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. A22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten. A23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. A24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. A25. And in this Trinity none is afore or after another; none is greater or less than another. A26. But the whole three persons are coeternal, and coequal. === Bible Verses === So far, all the Bible verses used were first cited by my opponent. Since I'm actually giving you definitions and the verses, I don't feel I have the space to add more of my own this round, but I may next round. All verses obtained from http://www.biblegateway.com... John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God John 1:18 God no one hath ever seen; the only begotten Son, who is on the bosom of the Father -- he did declare. or No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. (New Living) John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to him, `My Lord and my God;' Colossians 2:9 for in [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, (American Standard Version) Phillipians 2:6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. (New Living Translation) 2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who did obtain a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: Titus 2:13 waiting for the blessed hope and manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, John 10:30 I and the Father are one. === Contentions === C1: The Trinity is not explicitly stated in the Bible. One would expect a teaching so important to be stated explicitly as so many things are in the Bible. Yet it isn't. In fact, it is so unclear on the issue that there was great debate on the issue, until finally the Catholic church adopted it as standard doctrine and took action against all the heretical dissenters. Take a look at the verses my opponent uses to claim that the Trinity is biblical (I've saved you the trouble of looking them up - see them above). First, note that NONE of them even mentions the Holy Spirit. Thus, it is impossible for my opponent to have fulfilled his burden of proof. At most, if I were to accept every one of his verses as meaning exactly what he wants me to think they mean, he would have only shown us a Biune God, not a Triune one. My opponent's only claim of evidence thus far is that these verses say that Jesus Christ is God by nature. Therefore, I'm just going to rebut them in that sense - I will not assume my opponent is trying to make any other argument with these verses until he makes such an argument. John 1:1 - The only way this statement would not be contradictory is if the first God and the second God were two different Gods. Based on the Trinity, we would expect this to say "[...] and the Word was with the Father, and the Word was God." John 1:18 - This verse states that no one has seen God, and that people know about God because the Son, Jesus, has declared God. However, if Jesus is God, then people would have seen God. Some translations also say in this verse again that Jesus is God, rather than just being the Son, but this is based on mistranslation (in Young's Literal Translation, it's "the only begotten Son." John 20:28 - This does not show that Jesus is God, or that Jesus is Lord, or that if Jesus is God that's the same God that the Father is. It merely shows that a guy named Thomas calls Jesus Lord and God. Colossians 2:9 - If we take a look at the context (http://www.biblegateway.com...), we find that it's a warning against getting philosophy and morals from just any sources - that to make sure you get good teachings, you should go through Christ. Further, even if verse 9 is meant literally, it does not specify that the Godhead in question is the same Godhead that the Father is part of. Phillipians 2:6 - Again, this is contradictory unless the two instances of God refer to different Gods. Equality with oneself is something that you can't get rid of by definition. Further, the doctrine of the Trinity requires that the members are coequal (See A26). This passage goes on to explain that Jesus lowered himself below God by becoming a man, and that God repayed the favor by exalting Jesus. (http://www.biblegateway.com...). If Jesus _IS_ God, that makes no sense, and it should say Father instead of God. 2 Peter 1:1, Titus 2:13 - These verses simply say that Jesus is God and Savior, not that he is the same God as the Father. In other words, A15 may be supported by these, but not A16. John 10:30 - Probably the strongest piece of evidence my opponent has, this verse could mean a multitude of things. Jesus says he and the Father are one - does he mean it literally, as in they're the same being? Does he mean it as in they share the same goals? Does he mean that they're very similar? There are so many ways to interpret this. To fulfill his burden, my opponent must show that the premises of the Trinity doctrine are all supported by the Bible. Specifically, I'd like evidence in favor of A6, A11, A12, A14, A16, A18, A25, and A26. == C2: The Trinity contradicts the Bible "Being," when we remove the physical connotations of it, would most strongly refer to consciousness. To be the "same" being, each Trinity member would have to share the same consciousness. However, they don't. Jesus prayed to the Father. Jesus indicated that his will is different than the will of the Father. They are clearly separate at least in the sense of consciousness and mind - in what specific way are they the same, and how is this sufficient to call them the same God, the same Lord, etc? == C3: The Trinity is untrue. The Christian God probably doesn't exist. Jesus probably doesn't exist. The Holy Spirit probably doesn't exist. Since each of these beings must exist for the Trinity to be true, the Trinity is probably false. Good luck to my opponent.