Biblical Unitarianism / Arianism

Biblical Unitarianism / Arianism:

Biblical Unitarianism and Arianism are theological views that reject the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the oneness of God (Yahuah) and the distinct, created nature of Yahusha (the Messiah). These perspectives affirm that Yahusha is a unique, exalted human being, appointed by Yahuah for a specific purpose, but not co-eternal or of the same essence as the Father.

Biblical Unitarianism:

Biblical Unitarianism is a theological stance that stresses the oneness of God and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. It affirms that Yahuah (the Father) is the one true Alahym (God), and that Yahusha (the Messiah) is His distinct, subordinate Son. According to this view, Yahusha is a human being, created and appointed by Yahuah to fulfill the role of the Messiah and bring salvation to humanity, but he is not divine in the same sense as the Father.

Key Beliefs of Biblical Unitarianism:

1. Yahuah Alone is the One True Alahym: Biblical Unitarians believe that Yahuah, the Father, is the only true God, and that He alone is eternal and uncreated. Yahusha, the Son, is distinct from the Father and is not considered to be co-eternal or of the same essence.
   
   

2. Yahusha as the Messiah: Yahusha is seen as the Messiah, the Son of Yahuah, who was sent to fulfill the divine plan of salvation. He is fully human and fully divine in his role as the anointed one, but his divinity is not of the same nature as the Father’s.
   
   

3. Rejection of the Trinity: Biblical Unitarians reject the doctrine of the Trinity, viewing it as a later theological development that distorts the biblical understanding of God. They believe that the Father alone is God, and that Yahusha is His servant, sent to reveal the Father’s will.
   
   

4. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is understood as the power or presence of Yahuah, not as a separate person of the Godhead. It is through the Holy Spirit that Yahuah works in the world and in the lives of His followers.
   
   

5. The Role of Disciples: Biblical Unitarians believe that the disciples of Yahusha are to follow his example, walk according to the Spirit of Yahuah, and live in obedience to the Father’s will. They are seen as sons and daughters of Yahuah, but distinct from Yahusha.
   
   

Arianism:

Arianism, named after the 4th-century Christian presbyter Arius, is a theological view that also rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. Arius taught that Yahusha, while divine and the Son of Yahuah, was not co-eternal with the Father and had a created origin. According to Arianism, Yahusha is the first and greatest of Yahuah’s creations, but he is not of the same essence as the Father.

Key Beliefs of Arianism:

1. The Father Alone is Uncreated and Eternal: Arianism teaches that Yahuah (the Father) is the only uncreated, eternal being. Yahusha, the Son, is a created being who came into existence at a point in time, before the creation of the world.
   
   

2. Yahusha’s Subordination to the Father: Yahusha is seen as the Son of Yahuah, but he is not equal to the Father in essence. He is subordinate to the Father and was created by the Father to fulfill a specific purpose.
   
   

3. Yahusha as the First Creation: Arianism teaches that Yahusha is the first and greatest creation of Yahuah, and that he is the means by which Yahuah created the world. He is considered the "beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14), but he is not the Creator himself.
   
   

4. Rejection of the Trinity: Arianism rejects the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal persons of the same essence. Arianism asserts that the Father is the only true God, and that the Son is a created being who is subordinate to the Father.
   
   

5. The Holy Spirit: Arianism generally views the Holy Spirit as either a created being or as the power of Yahuah, not as a separate person of the Godhead. The Holy Spirit is seen as subordinate to both the Father and the Son.
   
   

Origins and Development:

Arianism emerged in the early 4th century, primarily through the teachings of Arius, a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt. Arius argued that if Yahusha were co-eternal with the Father, then there would be two eternal beings, which would contradict the monotheistic teachings of Scripture. Instead, Arius taught that Yahusha was the first and greatest creation of Yahuah, distinct from the Father and not eternal.

The controversy surrounding Arianism led to the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, where the Nicene Creed was formulated to affirm the co-eternity and consubstantiality (same essence) of the Father and the Son. Arianism was declared heretical by the council, and its teachings were rejected by the majority of Christian leaders.

However, Arianism continued to have influence in various parts of the Christian world, especially among the Germanic tribes such as the Visigoths and Vandals. Some modern Unitarian and Arian groups maintain similar beliefs, rejecting the Trinity and affirming the oneness of Yahuah and the created nature of the Son.

Key Differences Between Biblical Unitarianism and Arianism:

1. Nature of Yahusha: Both Biblical Unitarianism and Arianism reject the traditional doctrine of the Trinity, but Biblical Unitarianism emphasizes that Yahusha is fully human and fully divine in his role as the Messiah, while Arianism holds that Yahusha is a created being who is subordinate to the Father and not co-eternal with Him.
   
   

2. View of the Holy Spirit: Biblical Unitarianism generally views the Holy Spirit as the power or presence of Yahuah, while Arianism often sees the Holy Spirit as a created being or as a force subordinate to both the Father and the Son.
   
   

3. Theological Emphasis: Biblical Unitarianism emphasizes the oneness of Yahuah and the distinctness of Yahusha as the Son, while Arianism emphasizes the creation of Yahusha and his subordination to the Father.
   
   

Conclusion:

Both Biblical Unitarianism and Arianism reject the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, affirming the oneness of Yahuah and the distinct, subordinate nature of Yahusha (the Messiah). While Arianism emphasizes the creation of Yahusha and his subordination to the Father, Biblical Unitarianism emphasizes the oneness of Yahuah and the role of Yahusha as the Messiah, distinct from the Father but fully fulfilling His divine purpose. These views continue to influence certain Christian groups that reject the doctrine of the Trinity and emphasize the unity of God.