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PREFACE

The work embodied in this thesis is the outgrowth of my passion for the doctrine of the Trinity. As a Christian apologist and president of the Department of Christian Defense (an apologetic organization) dealing largely with the theology of non-Christian cults, much of the research for this dissertation actually begun over a decade ago while writing and preparing lectures on the objections to the Trinity made specifically by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Due to their unipersonal position (viz., that only the Father is God) they falsely contend that Christians believe that Jesus is the Father when they assert Jesus is God. In fact, I find that Christians who have not been adequately taught about the Trinity make the same error. Thus, unstudied Christians too often unknowingly affirm Oneness theology in their efforts to explain how Jesus is God.   

Therefore, a primary reason for my concentration on Oneness theology in contrast to Trinitarianism is to disambiguate and clarify the doctrine of the Trinity especially for evangelistic purposes. This dissertation is an endeavour to express the salvific importance of the Trinity and to provide some theological awareness of Oneness theology. It is my hope that this work will develop some sufficient concepts of Trinitarian theology. I have spoke and written much on the subject. A great deal of space has been devoted to the pre-existence of the Son, for this doctrine is the theological breaking point of Oneness theology: showing that the Son pre-existed as God, as Creator and as distinct from the Father turns Oneness theology upside down. 

I am very appreciative of the supervisors and the staff of the Greenwich School of Theology, who have been encouraging and extremely helpful in matters academic and administrative. I am especially indebted to Peg Evans for her wisdom, guidance and suggestions throughout this journey. I am so grateful to have had Professor Ben Rees as my promoter. His expertise and suggestions have been very beneficial. I also thank my co-promoter Professor Coetzee. His comments have been constructive and encouraging. I thank the entire Faculty of Theology at North–West University (Potchefstroom Campus) for honouring me with the ‘Rupert Judge’ award for this work. Lastly, I want to thank my family, friends, and students for supporting me from the start and during the completion of this project. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife. Without her patience, understanding, and support this important work would not have been possible.

 I am optimistic that the fruit of this research will equip and inspire the body of Christ, both pastors and laity, to stress the importance of the doctrine of the Trinity and provide an accurate presentation of it. It is also my hope that through this research, Christians will fully understand the fundamental differences that exist between Oneness theology and Trinitarianism and thus realize that the Trinity is the very heart of the gospel expressing the nature of the true God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.