What is Nontrinitarianism?

1. Definition and General Overview

Nontrinitarianism is a term describing any belief system or theological stance that rejects or modifies the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity—namely, that God eternally exists as three coequal, coeternal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While there are variations in nontrinitarian views, the common denominator is a denial that these three persons share one divine essence in full and equal measure.

These beliefs can take the form of seeing Jesus as a created being, the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force, or denying that the unity of God includes three distinct persons. Historically and doctrinally, the mainstream Christian tradition has regarded such departures from the triune view as significant theological errors.

2. Historical Development

From the earliest centuries of the Christian era, church councils and theologians addressed questions about God’s nature, such as how Jesus could be both fully divine and fully human, and how the Holy Spirit fits within God’s eternal being. The Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and the Council of Constantinople (AD 381) affirmed a triune understanding of God, leading to the Nicene Creed and eventually the Chalcedonian Definition (AD 451).

Nontrinitarian views often emerged in various periods:

• Early Church Challenges – Some groups, like the Arians, held that Jesus was created, not coeternal with the Father. The Arian controversy catalyzed the Nicene Council.

• Medieval and Reformation-Era Movements – Small pockets of believers questioned mainstream confessions. Groups such as certain Radical Reformers, Socinians, and others challenged the established doctrine.

• Modern Era Expressions – Current nontrinitarian communities include Unitarians, Christadelphians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and some other sects that have grown out of or alongside mainline denominations.

Despite their diversity, these historical and contemporary movements share the view that the mainstream concept of God as Triune is inaccurate or unbiblical, leading them to alternatives that refute or redefine Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one essential deity in three persons.

3. Core Beliefs and Variations

Nontrinitarianism can take multiple forms, although not every group or individual fits neatly into one category:

1. Unitarian

• Affirms God’s oneness in one person, usually calling God “the Father.”

• Views Jesus primarily as a moral teacher, prophet, or an exalted but created being rather than the eternal Son of God.

• Interprets the Holy Spirit as an impersonal manifestation of divine power.

2. Binitarian

• Accepts the Father and the Son as distinct divine persons but either denies or minimizes the full personhood of the Holy Spirit.

3. Modalist or Oneness

• Teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are modes or manifestations of one divine person, rather than coequal, coeternal persons who share the same essence.

4. Arian and Semi-Arian Views

• Jesus is seen as a created being, superior to humans but inferior to the Father.

• The Holy Spirit’s divine status is sometimes diminished or reduced to a function rather than a person.

These stands often differ from one another in specifics, yet they are collectively classified under nontrinitarianism because they do not affirm a tri-personal God.

4. Key Scriptural Passages Cited by Nontrinitarians

Nontrinitarians often highlight certain Bible passages to support their claims:

• John 14:28 – Jesus says, “The Father is greater than I.” Nontrinitarians interpret this literally to show Jesus’ inferiority.

• Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” Nontrinitarian groups typically see this as exclusive oneness rather than a tri-personal unity.

• John 17:3 – Jesus refers to the Father as “the only true God.” Some argue this suggests that the Son and Spirit are not equal to the Father.

In response, trinitarian theologians have pointed out the cultural, grammatical, and broader biblical context which consistently portrays the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as distinct yet fully divine—emphasizing verses such as John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” in conjunction with John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” The reasoning is that Scripture, in its entirety, points to one God in three divine persons.

5. Mainstream Christian Rebuttals

Throughout history, proponents of a triune God have argued that both the earliest Church councils and the Bible itself teach the deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Exegetical, historical, and theological arguments can be summarized as follows:

1. Wider Scriptural Context

Passages affirming monotheism (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4) do not deny the multiplicity of persons within the Godhead. Instead, they confirm there is one God with no other gods beside Him (cf. Isaiah 44:6–8). The New Testament writers extend divine attributes and worship to Jesus (Philippians 2:9–11) and the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–4).

2. The Johannine Witness

The Gospel of John repeatedly ties Jesus to deity (John 10:30: “I and the Father are one”) and emphasizes the personal function of the Holy Spirit as “another Advocate” (John 14:16), distinct from the Father and Son. This indicates relational personhood within the unity of the divine nature.

3. Early Church Consensus

The earliest widespread Christian creeds—Nicaea (AD 325) and Constantinople (AD 381)—crystallized the belief that Scripture and apostolic tradition teach three coeternal, coequal persons in one essence. Councils convened, in part, to address nontrinitarian disputes like Arianism.

4. Archaeological and Manuscript Evidence

Ancient biblical manuscripts, including papyri and codices (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus), maintain consistent wording in key Trinitarian passages like Matthew 28:19 without textual evidence of systematic tampering. Archaeological discoveries (such as early Christian buildings and inscriptions referencing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) corroborate the presence of Trinitarian motifs from the earliest centuries of the faith community.

6. Practical and Devotional Considerations

For believers who adopt a trinitarian view, the understanding of God as three in one affects worship, prayer, and spiritual life. Recognizing Jesus as fully divine and coeternal with the Father shapes core doctrines such as salvation (Romans 5:1–2) and the efficacy of the atoning sacrifice. Acknowledging the Holy Spirit as divine person (John 16:13) underscores His role in guiding believers, empowering ministry, and enabling transformation of character.

By contrast, nontrinitarian groups tend to emphasize the oneness of God in a way that redefines or denies the coequal status of Son and Spirit. This shift can affect views of atonement, obedience, and even prayer practices, as the role of Jesus’ divinity is sometimes minimized.

7. Examples of Nontrinitarian Movements

Numerous groups fall under the broad umbrella of nontrinitarianism. Though not exhaustive, some prominent ones include:

• Jehovah’s Witnesses – Teach that Jesus was the first creation of God, and the Holy Spirit is God’s active force.

• Christadelphians – Affirm that Jesus is the Son of God but deny His preexistence and eternal deity.

• Oneness Pentecostalism – Holds that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are different modes or manifestations of one divine person, rather than three coequal, coeternal persons.

• Unitarians – Stress the absolute oneness of God and typically view Jesus as a moral prophet or exemplar.

Each tradition interprets biblical texts with a hermeneutic that diverges from mainstream creeds but is consistent within their unique paradigms.

8. Conclusion

Nontrinitarianism represents a range of doctrinal stances that diverge from the traditional Christian teaching of a triune God. Various historical events, beliefs, and scriptural interpretations have led communities to reject the coeternal, coequal nature of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Despite these differences, the broader Christian consensus—shaped by apostolic tradition, ecumenical councils, manuscript reliability, and deep scriptural study—upholds the intrinsic oneness of God expressed in three eternal persons. This triune understanding has been foundational to the historical Christian faith and continues to inform worship, doctrinal development, and spiritual life in countless Christian traditions globally.

“Now this is eternal life,” writes John, “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Throughout history, theological inquiry has centered on precisely how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each share in that divine identity, exemplifying the core distinctive of orthodox Christian theology.