John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"

How denominations interpret the opening verse of John's Gospel regarding the nature and divinity of the Logos ('Word') and its relationship to God.

Overall consensus80/100

Unitarian Universalist

Unitarian Universalist

Non-Trinitarian

Denies

Rejects Trinitarian reading; non-creedal; individual members interpret freely

The UUA does not endorse the Trinitarian interpretation of John 1:1. The denomination's non-creedal stance means no official interpretation is mandated. Among UUA members who engage with the verse, some accept the historical Unitarian reading that the Word is God's expression rather than a separate divine person; others interpret the passage in purely metaphorical terms.

Key Distinctions

Logos divinity:
permitted and encouraged
Incarnation:
Creation role:

Scripture References

Sources

  • UUA principles of theological freedom