Biblical Unitarians
Biblical Unitarians (also called Christian Unitarians or Socinians in historical contexts) are Christians who affirm the sole authority of the Bible while rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity on scriptural grounds. They hold that God is strictly one person — the Father — and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, a distinct human being who was not pre-existent as a divine being before his birth. Unlike the Unitarian Universalist Association, Biblical Unitarians are committed to biblical authority and orthodox Christian ethics; they regard Trinitarian theology as a post-biblical philosophical innovation incompatible with the New Testament's portrait of God and Christ.
Theology
Christology
Nature of Jesus
Nuanced
Son of God, fully human, not pre-existent deity; exalted after resurrection
Virgin Birth
Affirms
Jesus conceived by God's power in Mary; literal miracle establishes his Sonship
Pre-existence of Christ
Denies
Christ did not pre-exist as a divine being; he began at his conception in Mary
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith in Christ; repentance and baptism practiced
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Christ's death atones for sin; substitutionary and reconciling in character
Predestination
Nuanced
Arminian orientation; genuine human free will; God foreknew but did not predetermine
Original Sin
Nuanced
Adam's sin brought mortality; inherited guilt broadly rejected; all sin personally
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Nuanced
Many hold soul sleep; conditional immortality through resurrection, not natural
Hell
Nuanced
Many affirm annihilationism; eternal torment widely questioned; Scripture debated
Heaven
Nuanced
Earthly kingdom hope prominent; resurrection to immortal life on a renewed earth
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ returns personally and bodily to establish God's kingdom on earth
Millennium
Affirms
Premillennial earthly kingdom; Christ reigns with resurrected saints on earth
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Varies
Decentralized; Scripture supreme; no central institution; independent congregations
Clergy & Priesthood
Varies
Priesthood of believers; no formal clergy structure; lay-led in most communities
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Believer's baptism by immersion practiced; Lord's Supper as memorial; no sacramentalism
Scripture
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Denies
John 1:1 refers to God's word/wisdom, not a pre-existent divine person
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Denies
Isaiah 7:14 prophecy of a young woman, not necessarily a perpetual virgin
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Rock refers to Peter's faith confession, not Peter as infallible authority figure
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's will is sovereign but compatible with human moral responsibility
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Genuine faith in Jesus naturally produces righteous works and obedience
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Denies
Matthew 28:19 formula does not necessarily teach Trinitarian theology
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Denies
Hebrews 1:8 addresses Christ as God's anointed, not as God Almighty
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Varies
Biblical Unitarian eschatology varies; amillennial and postmillennial readings coexist
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Nuanced
Genesis 1:1-2 describes creation; Spirit of God moved over the waters as preparation
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Denies
Mark 16:9-20 is a later addition; not original to Mark's Gospel
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Denies
John 7:53-8:11 is not original to John's Gospel
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Denies
1 John 5:7-8 Comma Johanneum is a late interpolation; not original
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books are valuable but not scriptural canon
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas is valuable early Christian literature but not Scripture
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Varies
Sabbath observance varies; Sunday most common; some observe Saturday
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; blood transfusions are not restricted by biblical teaching
Military Service
Varies
No official stance; pacifist and just-war views both represented; conscience guides
Holidays
Varies
Practices vary; some avoid Christmas and Easter; Sunday breaking of bread central