Dr. Froom belonged to a narrow circle of the General Conference that was in charge of preparing a list of the Adventist points of belief. He described in his book “Movement of Destiny” how the old truth was removed:
- “May I here make a frank personal confession. When back between 1926 and 1928 I was asked by our leaders to give a series of studies on “The holy Spirit”…..covering the North American Union Ministerial Institute of 1928, I found that aside from priceless leads found in the Spirit of Prophecy, there was practically nothing in our literature setting forth a sound, Biblical exposition in this tremendous field of study. There were no previous pathfinding books on the question in our literature.” {Dr. LeRoy Edwin Froom: Movement of Destiny, page 322-324, 1971}
What “false teaching” about God has been removed? Certainly not today’s teaching of the Trinity, but the old opposite truth, which has been overrun. In his book “Movement of Destiny”, Dr. LeRoy Froom himself wrote that between 1926-1928 he had to look for “arguments” for the doctrine of the Trinity in other churches because there was nothing in our literature about it:
- “The next logical and inevitable step in the implementing of our unified fundamental beliefs, involved revision of CERTAIN standard works, so as to eliminate statements that taught, and thus perpetuated erroneous views on the Godhead.” {Dr. L. Froom: Movement Of Destiny p. 422, 1971}
The following is evidence of the truth for all readers who maintain that there are no falsifications of the Spirit of Prophecy. At first glance, the Trinity quotes, together with the rest of the verses and quotes may seem as true. When a text is isolated, it is possible to “prove” any false teaching. Although this book contains clear evidence of falsifications in the quotes, the text below shows that the Trinity would still be impossible even if all of the quotes were true:
- “We want the holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ” {Ellen White: Letter 66 April 10, 1894 par. 18}
- “The holy Spirit is Himself (Jesus), divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” {Ellen White: Letter 119, 1895.18}
Would it be possible that the holy Spirit is present through his holy Spirit if these words did not refer to Jesus himself, as the Trinitarians claim? Then there would be two holy Spirits.
- “Those who believe the truth should remember that they are God’s little children, that they are under His training. Let them be thankful to God for His manifold mercies and be kind to one another. They have one God and one Saviour; and ONE Spirit—the Spirit of Christ—is to bring unity into their ranks.” {Ellen White: 9T, p. 189.3 1905.}
In 1957, in his book “Questions on Doctrine“, he wrote that reconciliation was completed through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. This was the clash of Calvinist and Adventist theology. Which of them is crushed to dust? Adventist of course! If the whole process of reconciliation is completed on the cross, Jesus’ intercession in the heavenly sanctuary, described in the Epistle to the Hebrews, becomes meaningless. If everything ended on the cross, then we would be saved in advance, and thus we would get the message, that we do not need to fight against sin! This is exactly what the Calvinists teach. And they also teach that the end of the time of probation is symbolic because it is “impossible” for us to completely abandon sin.
Did Ellen White announce an attack on the truth in the Epistle to the Hebrews?
- “We cannot find words fitly to explain the latest development of ideas held by some. They contain threads of pantheism. These ideas are so mixed with the truth, that the truth is made of no effect. These specious theories constitute a denial of the personality of God, the atonement of Christ and His work in the sanctuary. They take away the vital principles which have made us a separate people.“ {Ellen White: MS 8, 1914, Part 32}
The teaching of Jesus having Adam’s nature when He was born on Earth also came from Dr. Froom:
Dr. Froom:
- “Christ’s flesh and nature in the incarnation were different from ours. He was “exempt” from our genetic inheritance, and took only the sinless nature of Adam as it was before the fall.“ {Dr. LeRoy Froom; Questions of Doctrine, p. 383, and heading, p. 650}
Ellen White:
- “He took upon himself fallen, suffering human nature, degraded and defiled by sin.“ {Ellen White: YI, 20. December 1900}
The false teachings in the Book “Evangelism” of Dr. LeRoy Froom:
Who or what is the Godhead? A Trinity?
Falsification:
- “The Godhead was stirred with pity for the race, and the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit gave Themselves to the working out of the plan of redemption. In order fully to carry out this plan, it was decided that Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, should give Himself an offering for sin. What line can measure the depth of this love? God would make it impossible for man to say that He could have done more. With Christ He gave all the resources of heaven, that nothing might be wanting in the plan for man’s uplifting. Here is love—the contemplation of which should fill the soul with inexpressible gratitude!” {Ellen White: CH, p. 222} {Ellen White: AUCR, April 1, 1901 par. 10}
In the “adapted” quote above, which serves as “evidence” for the Trinity, we can see the how the term ‘Godhead’ is misused. This term only describes characteristics of a Divine Being and does not describe the name of a “triune” God. The true meaning:
Original:
- “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even HIS eternal power and GODHEAD; so that they are without excuse:” {Romans 1:19,20}
- “In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In HIM is all the fullness of the GODHEAD bodily. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His character.” {Ellen White: 7BC, p. 907}
Alternate interpretation:
In the following text is the proof of the old truth for all readers who hold on to their attitude that there is NO falsification of the Spirit of Prophecy or the Bible. But even these controversial texts or verses, when compared to the other verses and texts, can not provide any evidence for the Trinity. By isolating some text, you can prove almost any heresy. We know that the writings of Ellen White (Spirit of Prophecy) cannot at the same time oppose and support the Trinity. This also shows us the only way to interpret expressions like “three heavenly powers” – by not taking the quote out of context. Although this script brought the evidence of falsifications, we can see again in the text below, that the doctrine of the Trinity could not be proven even if these texts were original!
The Book “Evangelism”:
- “We want the holy Spirit, which is Jesus Christ.“ {Ellen White: Letter 66 April 10, 1894 par. 18}
- “The holy Spirit is Himself (Jesus), divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent.” {Ellen White: Letter 119, 1895.18}
Is it possible that the holy Spirit is present through his holy Spirit if these words did not refer to Jesus Himself, as the Trinitarians claim? If this was true it means that there would be two holy Spirits.
- “Those who believe the truth should remember that they are God’s little children, that they are under His training. Let them be thankful to God for His manifold mercies and be kind to one another. They have one God and one Saviour; and ONE Spirit—the Spirit of Christ—is to bring unity into their ranks.” {Ellen White: 9T, p. 189.3 1905.}
The book “Evangelism”, which at first glance contains indisputable evidence for the Trinity, carries statements of the Spirit of Prophecy that are taken out of context, giving them a different meaning. By taking a complete look at all of Ellen White’s statements we can find what is the correct teaching. As we will see, this book does not have the full context. The compilation of quotes came about 20 years after Ellen White’s death, through the leadership of Dr. LeRoy Froom, who worked hard to prove the Trinity, and was officially tasked by the General Conference to investigate this issue. Dr. Froom openly wrote that he removed the old and meaningless Adventist teachings that made us funny to the rest of the world! The following statement of the Spirit of Prophecy, which reads “the fullness of the Godhead,” is used as the main evidence for the existence of the Trinity, because it talks about the holy Spirit and the Deity:
– “The Father IS all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”
– “The Son IS all the fullness of the Godhead manifested”
– “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven is the Spirit IN all the fullness of the Godhead”
{Ellen White: Special Testimonies, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. 1905, and Evangelism, pp. 614, 615}
But if we read this text more carefully, we will see that there are fundamental differences within this title, namely:
-that the Father and Son IS the Fulness of the Godhead.
-that the holy Spirit is IN the Fulness of the Godhead.
Let us now summarise the indirect message of this statement: The Father IS the Divine Ruler, the Son IS the Divine Ruler, the holy Spirit is in the Divine Ruler. In other words, the spirit is in the Father and the Son, and thus He is not a Divine Being like the Father and the Son are. If something comes from something, then it must first be in it, just like a spring of water is already in its source in order to be able to come out of it. The above quote does NOT state that all Three are the fullness of the Deity. If the Trinity was true, that’s what the quote should say. We have seen that the Father is a Divine Being, that the Son is a Divine Being. They are not one being and they do not represent the Trinity! It does not say that the Father and the Son are Deities, but that Each one is a Deity – a Divine Being.
This quote is another proof that the holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, and that he is not a third Divine Being. The term Divinity – Godhead, signifies a characteristic and does not mean God. Dictionaries in most languages state that the term “Godhead” does not mean a number or a being, but the Divine nature, i.e.. Divine qualities (Divinity). Since the above quote clearly states that both the Father and the Son are each Godhead, we would end up with three Trinities if the term Godhead meant Trinity! The Father is the embodied fullness of the Deity. He is invisible to us mortals.
The only way to know God and His Deity is when He manifests Himself. Christ inherited the Deity from His Father and that is why He is all the fullness of the Deity manifested. The deity of the Son of God is His right and inheritance, which He acquired by His heavenly birth (Hebrews 1: 4). This Divine fullness dwells in Christ because it was pleasing to the Father (Colossians 2: 9; 1:19). Christ possessed the glory of His Father by Divine birth. Hebrews 1: 3; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4: 6).
- “In Christ is gathered all the glory of the Father. In Him is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of His person. The glory of the attributes of God are expressed in His character.” {Ellen White: 7BC, p. 907}
- “The love of God, manifested toward fallen man in the gift of his beloved Son, amazed the holy angels.”God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Son was the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. He possessed Divine excellence and greatness. He was equal with God. It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell.” {Ellen White: 2SP, p. 38}
According to the Bible itself, the term “Godhead” represents a character and a title:
- “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.“ {Romans 1:20}
- “But I would have you know, that the Head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the Head of Christ is God.“ {1 Corinthians 11:3}
The word “Head”, as part of the word “Godhead”, means the title of the Divine Ruler, Who is the head of the whole universe! The verse below emphasises that God the Father is the head and His Son! In the Hebrew Bible, the original word for “Deity” is the word “Elohut”. That word is an adjective and not a noun, and as such, it describes God’s attributes.
That quality is “Deity, i.e. Divinity”, and is analogous to the human attribute, “humanity”. It describes a characteristic without defining other areas, and it does not mean the noun, “human”. When a good man is full of love for others, then we give him the adjective humanity. Likewise, the attribute Divine signifies and confirms the characteristics of incomprehensibly deep power, strength, love, and mercy!
One man in most cases is not a humanist, but he is always a man, without Divine qualities. One being who is not God cannot be the “fullness of the Godhead.” That is why the holy Spirit is not Godhead, but is IN the Godhead of the Father and the Son, Who are his Source in the whole Universe. One spirit cannot have its own spirit. That is why we are filled with the fullness of God because Jesus Himself is in us with His holy Spirit:
- “That Christ may dwell IN your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.“ {Ephesians 3:17-19}
- “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT WHICH is OF GOD; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” {1. Corinthians 2:10-12}
While Jesus was on Earth, all the fullness of His Father’s Deity was in Him:
- “For Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily“ {Colossians 2:9}
- “To wit, that God (the Father) was IN Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.“ {2 Corinthians 5:19}
Is one Divine Being given by God the Father to His Son not in unlimited fullness? Does not the Spirit emanating from God have unlimited fullness of Divine power? In the quote below we see even more that the holy Spirit is the power of God, which proceeds from the Father and the Son and represents Their power and presence:
- “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit IN all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of Divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour.” {Ellen White: SpT, Series B, No. 7, pp. 62, 63. 1905} and {Ellen White: Evangelism, pp. 614, 615}
- “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ be IN you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.“ {Romans 8:9-11}
- “The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit IN all the fullness of the Godhead…” {Ellen White: BTS, March 1, 1906}
The holy Spirit is IN the fullness of the Father and the Son. It is Their Spirit! With His Spirit, Jesus is our Comforter. God the Father is invisible to our mortal eyes. The only way to know God is through His Son, Who inspired the writers of the Bible. Jesus inherited His Godhead from the Father. The fulness of the Father lives in Christ because it pleased the Father to do so:
- “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell“ {Colossians 1:19}
- “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” {Colossians 2:9}
If ‘Godhead’ means a ‘Trinity’, then how is the fullness of the Trinity bodily in Christ? ‘Godhead’ does not mean ‘Trinity’, but ‘Divine Nature’. Ellen White never said that in Christ is the fullness of the Trinity in bodily form. The above verses confirm the statements of Ellen White where she wrote that the Father and the Son are the fullness of the Deity, which means that God the Father Himself lives in Jesus.
- “The Father gave HIS Spirit without measure to His Son, and we also may partake of its fullness.” {Ellen White: GC, p. 477}
What else is needed to understand this old truth? This clear truth helps us understand what this next quote says:
- “The eternal Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost—is involved in the action required to make assurance to the human agent, … confederating the heavenly powers with the human that man may become, through heavenly efficiency, partakers of the Divine nature and workers together with Christ.” {Ellen White: UL 148.4}
The term, ” The Eternal Godhead – the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost”, does not refer to a single merged Deity of three persons or three Divine Beings. This word is an adjective of the ‘eternal Deity’ of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit, not a noun, and it describes the Divine attributes (such as love and mercy) of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit emanating from them.
If the holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, then, of course, He has Divine, and not human or inanimate, attributes, and as such, He can only pass on God’s love and mercy to us. In this quote, there is only a less precise description of the adjective Godhead which is explained in-depth in other quotations, where we have seen that “God the Father IS the Deity”, that “Jesus, the Son, IS the Deity” and that “the holy Spirit is IN that Deity of the Father and the Son”.
- ”Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years.” {Ellen White: DA 663.5}
The Godhead still belonged to Christ even after His incarnation. Did a Trinity belong to Christ even after His incarnation?
- “Christ in His Godhead shone forth as He burst from the tomb, and rose triumphant over death and the grave.” {Ellen White: ST May 30, 1895. TA 209.4}
Did Jesus shine in His ‘Trinity’, or is it that Godhead does not mean ‘Trinity’ or ‘God’ after all? Godhead, as an adjective, depending on the context may mean the Divine nature, status, or quality, and even people can receive it as a gift:
- “As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the Divine.” {Ellen White: AA 49.3}
- “Through being partakers of the Divine nature we may stand pure and holy and undefiled. The Godhead was not made human, and the human was not deified by the blending together of the two natures. Christ did not possess the same sinful, corrupt, fallen disloyalty we possess, for then He could not be a perfect offering.” {Ellen White: Manuscript 94, 1893. Manuscript Releases, Vol. 6, pp. 110-112}
Could it be that the Trinity was incarnated? Was the Trinity mixed with human nature? The real truth is that Jesus’ Divine Sinless Nature (Godhead), His Divine Personality, was mixed with His human nature on Earth! If the holy Spirit were the fullness of the Godhead, which the adherents of the Trinity want to prove, then it would mean that the holy Spirit Himself is the “fullness of the Trinity”, and thus the Trinity itself!
However, a deeper analysis of the translation of the quote in the book Evangelism, shows us not only that the word ‘Trinity’ is included in it (while it does not exist in any quote from Ellen White), but also that ‘Godhead’ is translated differently into our language, i.e. translated as “triune” God, and in another place as ‘God the Father’. The word ‘Trinity’, which appears as a subtitle on the website ‘whiteestate.org’, was never written by Ellen White!
Nick Ionashku – Froomism:
This Text is part of the book First Commandment OR Trinity? – Encyclopedia of Evidences of the Old Trampled Truths of All Areas