Understanding the Godhead: Father, Spirit, and Son
In mainstream Christianity, the concept of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is foundational, though the term itself is not found in the Bible. Instead, it was coined later, primarily by early Church Fathers such as Tertullian (circa 200 A.D.), who used the Latin word "Trinitas" to articulate the idea of one God in three persons. This was an attempt to reconcile scriptures that clearly describe the Father (God), the Son (Yeshua in Hebrew), and the Holy Spirit as both distinct and yet united in divine purpose and nature.
The Godhead in the Amplified Bible (AMP)
The AMP Bible emphasizes clarity and nuance. Passages such as Matthew 28:19 ("baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit") and John 14:26 describe the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, sent by the Father in Yeshua’s name. These verses show cooperation and unity, rather than mere hierarchy.
The Son: Yeshua and His Role
The name Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ), meaning "salvation," ties deeply into His role in the divine plan. According to the canonical Gospels, Yeshua teaches submission to the Father’s will and promises the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This triune model becomes central to Christian doctrine, especially after the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.).
The Holy Spirit and Its Parallels
In Gnostic texts, such as the Gospel of Philip, the Holy Spirit is often presented in more mystical, sometimes even maternal terms—closer to the Sophia archetype (Wisdom). This contrasts with the masculine coding of the Spirit in most modern Bibles, showing variance in theological interpretation over time.
God the Father: The Hidden Source
In both canonical and Gnostic texts, God the Father is portrayed as the source—the initiator. The Gnostic Gospel of the Hebrews and Secret Book of John elaborate on this idea, describing a supreme, unnamable deity, which early Christian mystics saw as the true God beyond comprehension.
Buddhist Parallels
The Buddhist concept of the Trikaya (Three Bodies of the Buddha)—the Dharmakaya (truth body), Sambhogakaya (bliss or reward body), and Nirmanakaya (manifestation body)—offers a compelling parallel. Similar to the Trinity, these aspects represent a singular enlightened essence manifesting in multiple ways. While doctrinally distinct, both frameworks emphasize transcendence, presence, and the link between divine and earthly existence.
Evaluating the Trinity Teaching
The doctrine of the Trinity is not explicitly laid out in scripture but developed over time through councils and debates. Its value lies in its attempt to preserve both unity and complexity within the divine nature. However, Gnostic and Eastern texts often present a more layered, mystical understanding—suggesting that the "Trinity" as defined may be a simplification for human comprehension.
Lost Books and New Insights
Texts discovered in Nag Hammadi (1945) such as the Gospel of Thomas, Pistis Sophia, and Gospel of Mary reveal that early Christianity was not monolithic. These writings emphasize inner knowledge (gnosis) and frequently reference a divine triad, though framed more symbolically. While not canonical, they open the door to deeper theological exploration.
This article is part of our continuing series exploring early Christian beliefs, mystical traditions, and cross-cultural insights. Stay tuned for the next installment: "Sophia: The Lost Face of the Divine Feminine".
Personal Beliefs as They Relate Biblically
At first glance, the traditional portrayal of a solely male Creator—who brings forth all things, including His Son and the Holy Spirit—seemed to align with the religious teachings I was raised with. Yet as I matured in both faith and understanding, I began to reflect more deeply on the spiritual and biological dimensions of Creation. From a biological standpoint, life as we know it requires both masculine and feminine elements. This led me to consider the possibility that the divine may also encompass a sacred feminine—a presence not often emphasized in mainstream Christian theology.
Scripture itself hints at this broader understanding. In Genesis 1:27, we read that "God created man in His own image... male and female He created them." This implies both masculine and feminine aspects exist within the image of God. In Proverbs 8, Wisdom (Chokhmah) is personified as a woman present at the creation of the world—later linked by early Church Fathers to the Holy Spirit. Gnostic and apocryphal writings like the Gospel of Philip go even further, referring to the Holy Spirit as a motherly presence.
These insights do not seek to dismantle tradition, but to expand our understanding. Over time, church teachings have been shaped by political forces, theological consolidation, and cultural dominance—especially in translations like the King James Version. Exploring these histories can deepen rather than diminish our faith.
As a minister with the Universal Life Church, I don’t expect others to share every conclusion I’ve reached. What matters is how we live—with compassion, critical thought, and a commitment to healing rather than harm. If your beliefs help you care more deeply for others and serve truthfully, then you are walking a sacred path.
- Genesis 1:27 – Both male and female are created in God’s image.
- Proverbs 8 – Wisdom (Chokhmah) as a feminine presence at Creation.
- Gospel of Philip – A Gnostic text referring to the Holy Spirit as "Mother of the Living."
- Origen of Alexandria – Interpreted Divine Wisdom as the Holy Spirit.
- Irenaeus, Against Heresies – Mentions feminine attributes in divine activity.
- Historical context: The Council of Nicaea (325 CE), canon formation, and political influence of the King James Bible (1611).
Ministry Notes
April 29th — Whether on the streets or online, this ministry invites dialogue, not dogma. By exploring Jewish roots, lost gospels, and overlooked traditions, we seek a deeper truth that’s biblical but not blind. Stay tuned for our next post: "Sophia: The Lost Face of the Divine Feminine", where we explore the sacred feminine from Scripture to Gnostic revelation.
In addition to the truths unearthed here, I will be curating a separate series under the title Mysti's Magazine—an exploration of sacred femininity, the celebration of the woman's form, spirit, and power, stripped of the shame imposed by religious tradition.
Mysti’s Magazine will walk where few dare tread—honoring the body as a temple of both passion and purpose, and rejecting the dogmas that have long sought to chain womanhood under the weight of guilt. It will speak without apology. It will celebrate without shame.
Both works, though different in focus, spring from the same source: a relentless pursuit of authenticity. A return to what is holy because it is human, not because it has been sanitized for approval.
The gatekeepers of tradition may call it heresy. I call it truth.
Guided by the foundational question instilled by my father and reinforced by my mother—What are you not being told, and why?—I refused to accept surface-level teachings. I sought the forbidden paths, the suppressed texts, and the silenced voices.
From a young age, it was clear: the fairy tales and sanitized Bible stories taught in both Catholic and Protestant circles were hollow echoes of a deeper reality. When countless religions, denominations, and cults each claim divine authority—often at the cost of blood and land, justified by invoking the will of God—the honest seeker must ask:
What has been hidden? What sacred truths were sacrificed to power?
In this blog, I go beyond the sanctioned boundaries set by church leadership. I will expose the veiled history they condemned as heresy—and illuminate the vast spiritual landscape they fear you will discover.