Nontrinitarianism
Nontrinitarianism is a form of Christianity that rejects the Christian theology of the Trinity. This belief system denies the doctrine that God is three distinct hypostases or persons who are coeternal, coequal, and indivisibly united in one being. Instead, adherents argue for a different understanding of the relationship between God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Some groups emerged during the Protestant Reformation have historically been known as antitrinitarians. These denominations comprise a small minority of modern Christians compared to mainstream trinitarian churches. The core distinction lies in whether God exists as three separate persons or as a single entity manifesting in various ways.
The First Council of Nicaea convened in 325 AD declared the full divinity of the Son. This council marked a turning point where nontrinitarian views faced systematic suppression by Roman Emperors. Emperor Constantine I issued an edict against Arius' writings following this council. The edict ordered that any writing composed by Arius found should be handed over to flames. It stated that if someone was discovered to have hidden such a writing without destroying it, their penalty would be death. Despite this decree, Constantine later ordered the readmission of Arius to the church. He removed bishops like Athanasius who upheld the teaching of Nicaea. Arianism continued to grow within the Empire and spread to Germanic tribes on the frontier. Theodosius I came to the throne in 379 and supported Nicene Christianity instead. The Third Council of Sirmium in 357 represented the high point of Arianism before its eventual decline. Nontrinitarians typically argue that early beliefs were suppressed often to the point of death.
After the denominations in the Oneness Pentecostal movement, the largest nontrinitarian Christian denominations are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses. Other smaller groups include Christadelphians, Church of the Blessed Hope, and Christian Scientists. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published materials in October 1881 discussing these theological departures. Jehovah's Witnesses believe God the Father is uniquely Almighty God while Jesus is his first direct creation. They consider Jesus to be Michael the archangel who left heaven to be born as a perfect human. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct beings not united in substance. This view is sometimes called social trinitarianism. Members Church of God International believes in the divinity of Christ but rejects the doctrine of Trinity. Unitarian Christians have long been found in some mainline Protestant churches including the King's Chapel in Boston founded in 1686.
Arianism held that Arius believed the pre-existent Son was directly created by the Father before all ages. He taught that the Son was brought forth as the very first of God's creations. Arianism became the dominant view among Visigoths until 589 AD. Modalism proposed by Sabellius around 215 AD stated that God took numerous forms in both Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. He contended that Father, Son, and Spirit were different roles played by the same divine person. Tertullian labeled this movement Patripassianism because it implied the Father suffered on the cross. Socinianism taught that Photinus said Jesus was the sinless Messiah with no pre-human existence. Binitarianism holds that God consists of only two co-equal persons: the Father and the Word. Adherents believe the Holy Spirit is not a distinct person but power or influence emanating from them. Tri-theism argued by John Philoponus in the middle of the 6th century saw three separate natures acting as one divine group.
Nontrinitarians argue that for a teaching described as fundamental, it lacks direct scriptural support. They point to Deuteronomy 6:4 where the plural form Elohim denotes majesty rather than plurality. The Shema Yisrael quoted by Jesus at Mark 12:29 uses a singular word for one. Nontrinitarians claim a mistranslation exists in John 1:1 which reads and the Word was God. Some translate it as and the Word was a god based on the lack of a definite article. In Matthew 26:39 Jesus prays distinguishing between God and himself saying let this cup pass from me. Nontrinitarians cite John 10:30 where Jesus says I and the Father are one meaning unity of purpose. Thomas called Jesus My Lord and my God in John 20:28 but nontrinitarians suggest he addressed both Lord and Father separately. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:14 about Grace of Christ love of God sharing Spirit without explicitly stating co-equality.
Some nontrinitarians say Alexandrian theology infused Egypt's pagan religious heritage into Christianity. Samuel Sharpe noted Egyptian mythology showed Horus as one of a trinity in unity agreeing with later Christian adoption. Aristotle stated all things are three and thrice is all according to some anti-trinitarian interpretations. Plato introduced the word triad in Phaedo 104e rendered as trinity in English. The synthesis of Christianity with Platonic philosophy appeared by the end of the 3rd century. Marcellus of Ancyra taught that Father Son and Holy Spirit were one person hypostasis. Stoic philosophy influenced early church definitions with Seneca calling supreme Power All-ruling God holy Spirit Destiny. These Greek philosophical concepts were forcibly imposed on churches during the Constantinian period. Nontrinitarians allege these ideas made the Trinity doctrine extra-biblical and borrowed from paganism rather than scripture.
Nontrinitarian sects may be regarded as cults or heresies by other Christians who hold the Nicene Creed as foundational belief. The Catholic Church designated many varieties including Arianism Modalism and Tritheism as heresies. They named Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses specifically as heresies alongside Protestantism and Calvinism. Fundamentalist evangelical groups target some nontrinitarians within the countercult movement. Ecumenism builds on shared belief in trinitarian baptism which excludes nontrinitarians from formal cooperation. Unity of action on community goals is easier to accomplish than theological agreement. Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva under John Calvin for his opposition to infant baptism. Modern efforts focus on interfaith dialogue beyond Christianity comparing theology to Judaism and Islam. Early Islam originally seen as variant of Arianism rejected co-equal trinity concept entirely. Bilal Cleland claimed Islam maintained correct doctrine better resulting in greater adherence and military supremacy.
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Common questions
What is Nontrinitarianism and how does it differ from mainstream Christianity?
Nontrinitarianism is a form of Christianity that rejects the Christian theology of the Trinity. This belief system denies the doctrine that God is three distinct hypostases or persons who are coeternal, coequal, and indivisibly united in one being.
When did the First Council of Nicaea declare the full divinity of the Son?
The First Council of Nicaea convened in 325 AD declared the full divinity of the Son. This council marked a turning point where nontrinitarian views faced systematic suppression by Roman Emperors.
Which groups are the largest nontrinitarian Christian denominations today?
After the denominations in the Oneness Pentecostal movement, the largest nontrinitarian Christian denominations are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses. Other smaller groups include Christadelphians, Church of the Blessed Hope, and Christian Scientists.
Who was Arius and what did Arianism teach about the Son?
Arianism held that Arius believed the pre-existent Son was directly created by the Father before all ages. He taught that the Son was brought forth as the very first of God's creations.
Why do Nontrinitarians claim the Trinity doctrine lacks direct scriptural support?
Nontrinitarians argue that for a teaching described as fundamental, it lacks direct scriptural support. They point to Deuteronomy 6:4 where the plural form Elohim denotes majesty rather than plurality and cite John 10:30 where Jesus says I and the Father are one meaning unity of purpose.