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What religion believes in God but not the Trinity?

Published in Monotheistic Non-Trinitarian Religions 4 mins read

Several religions believe in one God while explicitly rejecting the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which posits God as three co-equal persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. These religions maintain a strict monotheistic view where God is a singular, undivided entity.

Understanding Non-Trinitarian Beliefs

The concept of the Trinity is central to most mainstream Christian denominations. However, various faiths, and even some Christian-rooted movements, hold a different understanding of God's nature. They typically affirm God's existence and sovereignty but do not identify Him as a triune being. This distinction often stems from different interpretations of scripture or entirely separate theological foundations.

Key Religions Rejecting the Trinity

Here's a breakdown of prominent religions that believe in God but do not adhere to the Trinity:

Abrahamic Faiths Beyond Mainstream Christianity

  • Islam: The religion of Islam is founded on the strict monotheistic belief in one God, known as Allah. The Quran explicitly rejects the concept of God having partners, offspring, or being part of a trinity, emphasizing His absolute oneness and uniqueness.
  • Judaism: As the oldest monotheistic religion, Judaism believes in one indivisible God, YHWH. The idea of a multi-personal God or a divine son is completely contrary to Jewish theology, which emphasizes the absolute unity of God.

Christian-Based Non-Trinitarian Denominations

Within the broader spectrum of faiths, certain groups that have historical ties to Christianity or use the Bible as scripture nevertheless reject the Trinitarian doctrine.

  • Unitarianism: Unitarianism, particularly Christian Unitarianism, fundamentally rejects the idea of the Trinity. Instead, Unitarians believe that God is one single, undivided entity, emphasizing the unity of God. They see Jesus as a great prophet or teacher, but not as God incarnate or part of a divine trinity.
  • Christadelphians: Christadelphians also explicitly reject the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. They believe in one God, the Father, and see Jesus Christ as His Son, who was fully human and raised to divine status upon his resurrection, rather than being co-equal and co-eternal with God from the beginning.
  • Jehovah's Witnesses: Jehovah's Witnesses believe in one God, whose name they identify as Jehovah. They teach that Jesus is God's Son and the first of God's creations, but not part of a Trinity or equal to God. They view the Holy Spirit as God's active force, not a person.
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): While believing in God the Eternal Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, Latter-day Saints have a distinct understanding of the Godhead. They view these three as separate, distinct personages united in purpose, rather than the traditional Trinitarian concept of one God in three co-equal persons.

Comparison Table: Beliefs on God and the Trinity

To further illustrate, the table below summarizes the core beliefs regarding God and the Trinity for various faiths:

Religion Belief in God (Monotheistic) Acceptance of the Trinity Core Understanding of God/Jesus
Islam God (Allah) is absolutely one, unique, and indivisible. Jesus is a revered prophet, but not divine.
Judaism God (YHWH) is absolutely one and unique. The concept of a divine son or multiple persons in God is antithetical to Jewish monotheism.
Unitarianism God is one entity. Jesus is a moral example, prophet, or teacher, not divine or part of a Trinity.
Christadelphians God is the Father. Jesus is His Son, human in nature, and raised to immortality, not pre-existent as God. The Holy Spirit is God's power.
Jehovah's Witnesses God is Jehovah, the Most High. Jesus is God's Son and the first of God's creations. The Holy Spirit is God's active force.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Godhead consists of three separate, distinct, and glorified personages—God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost—united in purpose and will, but not in substance as in traditional Trinitarianism.
Mainstream Christianity (e.g., Catholicism, Protestantism) God is one being existing in three co-equal, co-eternal, and consubstantial persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit.

This diverse array of beliefs demonstrates that while monotheism is a shared foundation for many faiths, the specific nature and understanding of God can vary significantly, especially concerning the doctrine of the Trinity.