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JOHN CALVIN : LIFE, LEGACY AND THEOLOGY -<br />
PROF. M. M. NINAN<br />
"There are not three Gods all independent <strong>and</strong> self existing. The three co-operate with one mind <strong>and</strong><br />
purpose so that in the truest sense of the word, they are one. Instead of being independent, they are<br />
wholly dependent on each other or interdependent. There are three separate <strong>and</strong> distinct persons that<br />
are called God in scripture. The trinity is one God, but three persons."<br />
https://ministrymaker.com/trinity-one-god-three-persons/<br />
Likewise, the Holy Spirit is not a separate being, for that would result in a plurality of Gods. He noted<br />
the fact that the Bible frequently speaks of the Father <strong>and</strong> Son, but often fails to mention the Spirit.<br />
Servetus found that Scripture did not prove the unity of three persons, but rather harmony of<br />
mind <strong>and</strong> will between the Father <strong>and</strong> Son. The Bible he found had not one word about a Trinity,<br />
nor about essence, substance, or hypostases. These terms he saw were imported from Greek<br />
philosophy.<br />
This is how we underst<strong>and</strong> the concept of Trinity.<br />
Melancthon <strong>and</strong> Oecolampadius both admitted that Servetus had made some good points.<br />
Erasmus had even removed the main proof-text, 1<strong>John</strong> 5:7, from his Textus Recepticus.<br />
Luther left the philosophical terms out of his catechisms.<br />
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