Our heavenly Father is the referent of ὁ Θεὸς in 1 John 4:8. Let's not forget that point. For example, 1 John 4:9 reads: "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him" (NIV). The "God" mentioned in that verse is the Father: not the Son or the Holy Spirit/holy spirit. So the old line of argumentation that tries to identify the Trinity with "God is love" (see Augustine of Hippo for one) is just mistaken. "God" in this verse clearly refers to the Father only. Thanks for your time.
3 comments:
John also says Jesus is “the son of the father” so in this context it would make no sense for it to refer to anyone else..
I'm sure you've seen my article on this:
https://www.academia.edu/74360012/God_as_love_in_creation
not only does God is Love=Trinity do violence to the whole logic of 1 John and the gospel (God remains unseen but is known through the love of Christ who mediates and reveals God), it also doesn't make sense philosophically.
Roman,
I have your article and have read it. You did a good job with the subject. Thanks for posting the link.
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