Introduction

One of the Watchtower's claim to theological fame rests upon a denial of the Trinity (nothing new to false religions). Briefly stated, the Trinity is a description of the one true God that has permeated true, historic Christianity (see The Trinity). The Bible is absolutely clear on its teachings that there is only one God, the Bible is equally clear on its teaching that God is revealed in the "persons" of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. So what are we to do with this? There are two possible ways to interpret these facts falsely. The first is to ignore the plain teaching that there is only one true God (as the Latter Day Saints have). This is called polytheism. The second possibility is to ignore or distort the Bible's teaching concerning the Godhood of Christ and/or the Holy Spirit. It is this second choice that the Watchtower organization has adopted. And it's importance is not lost on them:

"...our entire future hinges on our knowing the true nature of God, and that means getting to the root of the Trinity..."
-Should you believe in the Trinity?, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1989

Christianity is Christ. Christians are followers of Christ, believers in Christ... it is therefore critical that we understand who this person is. Jesus Christ once asked Peter, "Who do you say I am?"... this is the crucial question of our life, for the answer decides the outcome of our afterlife. Later Jesus said, "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." What is your answer? Who is Christ to you?

Isn't there only one Christ?

Paul clearly taught in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 that there would be false Christs preached. These "other" Christs are not Christs at all of course, but counterfeits unworthy of His name...the only name by which we can be saved. 

My wish here is to expose the basic underlying problems that are at the root of the Watchtower's teaching. It has been said that every theological heresy begins with a misunderstanding of Christ. Many religions follow God, or a god, many follow the God of the Bible, Yahweh (or Jehovah). But it is their beliefs about Christ that expose them as false religions. The Watchtower belief that Christ is not God alone removes them from the truth of Christianity. It is here that they are put to the test.

Is God a God of Confusion???

Confusion regarding Christ's nature is unavoidable if you do not understand all that the Scriptures teach about Him. Yes, there are passages where Christ is speaking to the Father, or where He sends the Spirit. Yes, Jesus says (while on earth) that the Father is greater than He. How can these things be true if He is God? The answer is that in the person of Christ we have two natures... one human, the other divine. Christ added humanity with all its limitations to Himself in order to die for us. But He never gave up His Godhood. Christ and the Father are separate in personality, or consciousness... but they are one in nature.

This is not easy to comprehend, but it must be apprehended if we are to believe all that the Bible teaches. Reducing Christ to an angel or mere man, or believing in several gods is not a Biblical option. There is nothing in nature that has a three-in-one personhood, while retaining the essence of one. Because of this we are incapable of fathoming God's nature in its entirety, only what He has revealed to us On this the Watchtower agrees: see page. 148 of Reasoning from the Scriptures.

The resulting confusion between various teachings that are all valid Biblically can easily lead to one of two heresies. The first being that Christ was not a man, the second that He was not God. During the first century it was a commonly occurring false teaching that Christ only appeared to be human, John addresses this in 1 John 4:1-3. For the next several centuries the pendulum swung to the other (equally false) conclusion that Christ was not God.  An important verse to focus on here is Phil. 2:7. This "self-emptying" implies that Christ voluntarily withheld use of His Godhood nature in His incarnation as a man. He did not give up His divine attributes, He remained God all throughout the Incarnation. (See article on Jesus' natures here: Christ the God-Man?)

It would take a lot of space to critically refute all of the theological gymnastics the Watchtower employs to foist this view upon its followers. Many good books have already done so, and I do not wish to reinvent the wheel here. The following is a small list of places where the Bible clearly gives the title of divinity to both the Father and to the Son. The fact that Jehovah's Witnesses must use their own translation" of the Bible to help justify their teachings bears testimony to this fact. A reliable word-for-word translation (like the NASB) is very helpful when dealing with these subjects. I would not recommend use of the KJV for JW's are taught that it is full of errors and so will automatically dismiss its use. Also, a Greek interlinear is indispensable, for it shows the Greek and English without interpretation.) Since we are to hallow "the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit," who are God (Matt 28:19). The Watchtower, in their attempt to separate Christ from His divinity, have ceased to follow the God of the Bible.