"Some writers who promote the idea that the New Testament calls Jesus God in the same sense as his Father tell us that 1 John 5:20 definitely says that Jesus is the true God...""Many Trinitarians do not think that Jesus is here described as the true God. Henry Alford, the distinguished British expositor and author of the famous commentary on the Greek Testament, refers to a tendency which has played a major role historically in the interpretation of the Bible. He remarks that the Fathers interpreted in 1 John 5:20 doctrinally rather than exegetically. In plain words they were influenced more by a desire to defend their already established theological position than a determination to give the actual meaning of the text."
"Alford compares John's statement about the one God in 1 John 5:20 with the structure of similar sentences in the epistles of John. He also notes the obvious parallel in John 17:3, where Jesus is carefully distinguished form the one God. He concludes that expositors seeking the plain sense of this passage will not see the phrase "true God" as a reference to Jesus but to the Father. This (houtos) in the last sentence of 1 John 5:20 does not have to refer to the nearest noun (Jesus Christ in this case)."
"Henry Alford cites two passages from John's epistles to make his point: 'Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist' (1 John 2:22). 'For many deceivers went forth into the world, namely they who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.' (2 John 7). From these two passages it is clear that "this" does not necessarily refer back to the immediately preceding noun. If it did, it would make Jesus the deceiver and the antichrist. The pronoun "this" in 1 John 5:20 refers rather to the preceding phrase "Him who is true," describing the Father, not Jesus. If we compare John 17:3 we shall see that 1 John 5:20 as an echo of that verse: "This is eternal life, that they should believe in you [the Father], the only true God, and in Jesus Christ whom you have sent.""
"In his book The Trinity In The New Testament, the Trinitarian Arthur Wainwright comes to the same conclusion. He does not think that Jesus is called true God in 1 John 5:20. Henry Alford, who had the highest regard for the scriptures, concludes: "I own I cannot see, after this saying of our Lord, 'You are the only true God' (John 17:3), how anyone can imagine that the same Apostle can have had in these words (John 17:3) any other reference than that which is given in those (1 John 5:20)."
"If we carefully weigh the evidence, it seems beyond question that John never departed from belief in the unipersonal God of his Old Testament heritage. This brings him in line with his beloved Master who likewise never veered from devotion to the One God of Israel." (The Doctrine of the Trinity: Christianity's Self Inflicted Wound, 1998, Anthony F. Buzzard, Charles F. Hunting, International Scholars Publications, pgs 279, 280)
Additionally, I researched this myself and came up with the following;
(RSV) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Let's look at this in context to see what was meant by John. Starting back in verse 18, we read; "We know that any one born of God does not sin, ." Obviously, this is addressing those who have embraced the truths of God and arranged their lives in accordance with scriptural admonitions.
Next, "but He who was born of God keeps him," And, who was "born of God?" Revelation 3:14 answers this with; "And to the angel of the church in La-odice'a write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." We know this to obviously be Jesus, the one who is "born of God."
Next, we read; "and the evil one does not touch him." Naturally, being in the protection of Jesus and his Father will protect us from Satan. Satan targets those of us who accept Jesus and his Father, but by clinging fast to God's Word and following as he told his Son to tell us, we may be protected.
Then, we next read, at verse 19; "We know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one." All who deny Christ and his Father are living under the power of Satan.
On to verse 20, we read; "And we know that the Son of God has come" I can't imagine any of us arguing over this section. (1 John 5:22)
Next, we read what he did as he came; "and has given us understanding, to know him who is true;" We are "given" understanding. We also are given our first glimpse of "Him who is true." The Greek word for understanding is dianoia, which Vines tells us on page 751 of the Unabridged Edition I have, means "a thinking through, or over, a meditation, reflecting, signifies, (a) ....., the faculty of knowing, understanding, or moral reflection,....." The section on understanding refers us to the section on Mind and then gives us the above, in part. Another way of putting it would be that Christians are given intelligence, or understanding, that those not of Christ do not have, to actually see who "He that is true" actually is. But, who is the "he" that actually gives this understanding? The very first part of verse 20 tells us it is the Son of God who has came and given us understanding. So, Jesus gives us that understanding of his Father, just as his Father gave him all authority and understanding.
So, now we are down to just who is "he that is true" that Jesus gives us understanding of? Before we figure out who it really is, let's look at something, shall we? John 4:22 (RSV) "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews." Admittedly, Trinitarians say that the trinity is difficult to understand or explain. Trinity discussions always come down to some variant of, "it's a mystery, and you just have to accept it." But, if Jesus gives us understanding of "he who is true," why would there be any mystery at all? Why would it be difficult to either comprehend, understand or explain? I see that notion as contradicting what the Bible says. Indeed, why would Jesus give us all this other understanding and revelation, yet let a triune mystery God remain clouded in mystery? If the trinity were true, then since Jesus gives understanding to the true followers of his, it should never be brought up what a mystery it is, right? It should be clear as a bell and equally easy and clear to explain. I don't see this as God's way of dealing with his true people.
That being said, back to 1 John 5:20. Next, we read; "and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ." Now, we can see who "he who is true" really is. Clearly, it is God, not Jesus, being spoken of. How can we be sure? John 14:20 (RSV) "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." Yes, we are in God due to the fact that we are also in Jesus (or, in union or agreement with). John also tells us, at 1 John 2:24 "Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father." We abide in Jesus and his Father by means of Jesus' mediatorship. It is through Jesus, who gave us understanding above, that we can clearly see through the ancient dogma of such God displeasing doctrines as the trinity.
Next, we end the discussion with, "This is the true God and eternal life." We can see that "the true God and eternal life" belong to the Father, not to the Son. Jesus directs us to his Father, not to himself. He mediates between us and his Father, not himself. He preached to all about his Father, not himself.
It is the Father we are directed to worship in spirit and truth, not the Son. Therefore, 1 John 5:20 is not calling Jesus God, but is calling Jesus' Father God, just as Jesus and his apostles taught.
Sorry if this comes across JWish. I put it together a few years ago before I DA'd myself and haven't really edited it since. Still, I do not believe one has to be JW to disbelieve in the trinity. For me, I didn't believe in it decades before ever studying with the dubs. And, I see no reason to start believing in it now.
That others do really doesn't bother or offend me. I am merely showing another side of the issue and hope none of you see me as condemning your belief. I just present why I don't accept it.
