Unitarianism posits that God is one, a singular divine being, and that Jesus, while uniquely empowered and exalted, is not God Himself but a distinct being who operates with God’s authority and name. This contrasts with Trinitarianism, which holds that God exists as three co-equal, co-eternal persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—within one divine essence. The rationale for embracing Unitarianism rests on scriptural clarity, logical coherence, and alignment with monotheistic principles. The following passages and arguments illuminate why Unitarianism offers a compelling understanding of God and Jesus’ role, emphasizing the oneness of God and the subordinate, yet exalted, position of Christ.
Deuteronomy 6:4 – The Shema: God Is One
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” The Shema, a foundational declaration of Jewish and Christian monotheism, affirms God’s absolute oneness. The Hebrew word echad (“one”) denotes singularity, not a composite unity. This verse, central to Jesus’ own teaching (Mark 12:29), establishes that God is a single being, without division or plurality. Unitarianism aligns with this by maintaining that only the Father is God, avoiding the Trinitarian concept of multiple persons within the Godhead, which can obscure the straightforward monotheism of the Hebrew Bible.
John 17:3 – Jesus Distinguishes Himself from the Only True God
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” In His prayer, Jesus explicitly identifies the Father as “the only true God” (ton monon alēthinon theon) while presenting Himself as the one sent by God. The Greek monon (“only”) underscores exclusivity, leaving no room for Jesus to share in the divine identity. This clear distinction supports Unitarianism’s view that Jesus, though uniquely commissioned and empowered, is not God Himself but a representative who reveals and serves the Father’s will.
1 Corinthians 8:6 – One God, the Father, and One Lord, Jesus
“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” Paul delineates roles: the Father is the sole God (heis theos), the source of all creation, while Jesus is the “one Lord” (heis kyrios), the agent through whom God works. The Greek heis (“one”) reinforces singularity for both. This passage avoids equating Jesus with God, instead portraying Him as a distinct, exalted figure who mediates God’s purposes. Unitarianism embraces this hierarchy, affirming Jesus’ unique authority without conflating Him with the divine essence.
John 14:28 – The Father Is Greater Than Jesus
“You heard me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” Jesus explicitly states that the Father is greater (meizōn) than He is, indicating a relationship of subordination. This undermines the Trinitarian notion of co-equality among divine persons. Unitarianism accounts for this by viewing Jesus as a distinct being, endowed with divine authority but not equal to God in essence or status. His role as ruler of the earth stems from the Father’s delegation, not from inherent deity.
Philippians 2:9-11 – Jesus Exalted by God to a High Position
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This passage describes Jesus’ exaltation as an act of God’s will, not an inherent divine status. The “name above every name” and the title “Lord” (kyrios) are bestowed upon Jesus, signifying delegated authority. His lordship brings glory to the Father, reinforcing the Unitarian view that Jesus’ power and rule derive from God, not from being God Himself. The universal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord aligns with His role as God’s appointed ruler, distinct from the singular divine being.
Logical and Theological Coherence
Unitarianism offers a straightforward reading of scripture, avoiding the complexities of Trinitarian doctrine, which requires reconciling three persons as one God without clear biblical precedent. The Trinitarian formula, formalized centuries after the New Testament, relies on philosophical constructs like ousia (essence) and hypostasis (person), which are absent from scripture. Unitarianism, by contrast, adheres closely to biblical language, emphasizing God’s oneness and Jesus’ role as His empowered agent. This aligns with the monotheistic heritage of Judaism, which Christianity inherits, and avoids potential accusations of tri-theism or modalism that Trinitarianism must navigate.
Jesus as God’s Empowered Representative Unitarianism posits that Jesus, as the Messiah and Son of God, wields divine authority without being divine in essence. Passages like Matthew 28:18 (“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”) and Hebrews 1:3 (“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being”) highlight Jesus’ unique role as God’s image and agent. He bears God’s name and power (e.g., John 5:43, “I have come in my Father’s name”), ruling the earth as God’s appointed king, yet remains distinct from the Father. This framework preserves monotheism while honoring Jesus’ exalted status.
Synthesis and Reflection
These scriptures and arguments collectively support Unitarianism by affirming God’s singular nature and Jesus’ subordinate, yet authoritative, role. Deuteronomy 6:4 anchors monotheism, John 17:3 and 1 Corinthians 8:6 distinguish the Father as the only God, John 14:28 establishes the Father’s superiority, and Philippians 2:9-11 portrays Jesus’ authority as granted by God. Unitarianism offers a biblically grounded, logically consistent alternative to Trinitarianism, emphasizing clarity and fidelity to the text. While Trinitarianism seeks to explain the relationship between Father, Son, and Spirit through metaphysical categories, Unitarianism prioritizes the scriptural portrayal of one God and His uniquely empowered Son, inviting believers to worship the Father through the Lordship of Jesus.
This perspective encourages ongoing study, as you noted, and aligns with your exploration of Christian universalism by maintaining a focus on God’s singular, redemptive purpose, expressed through Jesus as His appointed ruler and representative.
