This article is generally written for Seventh Day Adventists in regards to the use of certain terms in the bible that were penned by Ellen G. White
1. Is there a difference between the belief in the “Godhead” vs. “the Trinity?
A) Many today are using the term “godhead” to mean “God”. Some have tried to replace the term “trinity” with “godhead”. But the truth is: God has a “Godhead”. “The Godhead” is a characteristic of “God”. Notice in the following verse that his “Godhead” is clearly seen in the things made.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Now if the term “Godhead” is the new replacement word for “Trinity” or “three in one God” than the verse is saying “God’s “three in one God” is clearly seen in the things made” or “God’s trinity is clearly seen in the things made”. Concludingly “Godhead” does not mean a “three in one God”.
I’d like to propose to you that the term “Godhead” actually means “divinity” or “divine nature”. Here is Ellen White wrote once. She quotes this same verse Romans 1:20. But notice that the word “Godhead” is translated “divinity”. She quotes it from the American Standard Version.
“The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity.” Romans 1:20, A.R.V.”(Ellen White Ministry of Healing 410).
So the term “Godhead” refers to a characteristic of God himself. God is the father if we read the context. He is not a three in one God.
Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
So if we read that carefully we see that God the father has a “Godhead” which is his “divinity”. His divine nature was given to His Son.
Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
All things proceed from God and are given to Christ. Now most Trinitarians today have renamed the “Trinity” and now call it the “Godhead”. It’s like calling a cat a dog. It’s still a cat. But in order to escape comparison to Rome they misuse the term “godhead”.
But as you can see “godhead” means “divinity” and not “trinity”. God’s divinity is clearly seen in the things made, not God’s trinity. For further material on this topic, see attached links.
2Jn 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.