Who are nontrinitarians?

Trinity is said to be the belief of mainstream Christianity or most Christian churches, and those non trinitarians (who do not believe in trinity) are always accused of being a cult.

Others think that it is Iglesia ni Cristo, the only Christian religion that teaches Christ is not God, and that he is only a human (but not an ordinary human).

For you to know, there are many other concept of God on Nontrinitarian churches, and if you still didnt know, trinity of the RCC and Eastern orthdox church is different. The teaching of their trinity is different on the Holy Spirit, on Catholic church teachings, the holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and Christ, while on the Eastern orthodox church only from the Father.

But the thing is, what do you think is the reason why the Iglesia ni Cristo and other Christian Churches dont believe in Trinity? This question is answered by my article entitled "How Trinity created?"

Let us now determine and understand who are these nontrinitarians:

Nontrinitarianism (or antitrinitarianism) includes all Christian belief systems that disagree with the doctrine of the Trinity, namely, the teaching that God is three distinct hypostases and yet co-eternal, co-equal, and indivisibly united in one essence or ousia. According to churches that consider ecumenical council decisions final, the teaching was infallibly defined at the third Ecumenical Council (First Council of Ephesus). Nontrinitarians disagree with the findings of the Council for various reasons, including the belief that the Bible as they understand it takes precedence over creeds, or that there was a Great Apostasy prior to the Council. source: wikipedia

Arianism- Arius taught that God the Father and the Son did not exist together eternally. He taught that the pre-incarnate Jesus was a divine being created by (and therefore inferior to) God the Father at some point, before which the Son did not exist. In English-language works, it is sometimes said that Arians believe that Jesus is or was a "creature", in the sense of "created being" source: wikipedia


Modalism (or modalistic monarchianism)- considers God to be one person appearing and working in the different "modes" of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The chief proponent of modalism was Sabellius, hence the view is commonly called Sabellianism. It has also been labeled Patripassianism by its opponents, because it purports that the Person of God the Heavenly Father suffered on the cross. source: wikipedia


Adoptionism (or dynamic monarchianism)- holds that God is one being, above all else, wholly indivisible, and of one nature. It reconciles the "problem" of the Trinity (or at least Jesus) by holding that the Son was not co-eternal with the Father, and that Jesus Christ was essentially granted godhood (adopted) for the plans of God and for his own perfect life and works. Different variations of adoptionism hold that Jesus was "adopted" either at the time of his baptism or his ascension. An early exponent of this belief was Theodotus of Byzantium. source: wikipedia


Docetism- is the belief that Jesus' physical body was an illusion, as was his crucifixion; that is, Jesus only seemed to have a physical body and to physically die, but in reality he was incorporeal, a pure spirit, and hence could not physically die. source: wikipedia


Gnosticism- believed the creator as a lower being [‘Demiurge’] and not a Supreme Deity; scripture having a deep, hidden meaning whose true message could only be understood through “secret wisdom”; and Jesus as a spirit that “seemed” to be human, leading to a belief in the incarnation (Docetism). The traditional “formula which enshrines the Incarnation…is that in some sense God, without ceasing to be God, was made man…which is a prima facie [‘at first sight’ a] contradiction in theological terms… source: wikipedia


Marcionism- believed that Jesus Christ was the savior sent by God and Paul of Tarsus was his chief apostle, but rejected the Hebrew Bible and the God of Israel (YHWH Elohim). Marcionists believed that the wrathful Hebrew God was a separate and lower entity than the all-forgiving God of the New Testament. Christ was not a Jewish Messiah, but a spiritual entity that was sent by the Monad to reveal the truth about existence, and thus allowing humanity to escape the earthly trap of the demiurge. source: wikipedia



Modern NonTrinitarians

• Unitarian Christians and Unitarian Universalist Christians

• American Unitarian Conference started as a reply to Unitarian Universalism becoming too liberal theologically. They refrain from political endorsements and believe religion and science can improve the human condition. They have a deist population.

• Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church believe that the Father and Son are two distinct and separate beings. They hold that the Holy Spirit is the shared essence, power, characteristics, presence, and life of those two.

• Christadelphians hold that Jesus Christ is the literal son of God the Father, and that Jesus was an actual human. The "holy spirit" terminology in the Bible is explained as referring to God's power, or God's method of thinking(depending on the context).

• Mormonism teaches that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings, united in will or purpose, but not united in substance.

• The Iglesia ni Cristo (Tagalog for Church of Christ) views Jesus Christ as human in nature but endowed by God with attributes not found in ordinary humans and that likewise, God has attributes not found in Jesus. They further contend that God wants humans to worship Jesus.

• Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Son of God is unique in being God's only direct creation, before all ages; that God subsequently created all things through the Son; and that Jesus remains subordinate to God. They claim that references in the Bible to Jesus as "the firstborn of all creation", "the only-begotten Son", and his claim of having a God over him, even after his resurrection and exaltation to heaven, support their nontrinitarian viewpoint.They also believe that Jesus was made "God" and "Lord" only by the Father's permission and power. They teach that only the Father is the Almighty God, and that Jesus Christ wants us to worship and serve only Jehovah. (Matthew 4:10, 6:6 ) References to the "holy spirit" in the Bible are understood by Jehovah's Witnesses to refer to God's "active force": the means by which God accomplishes what he wills.

• Oneness Pentecostalism is a subset of Pentecostalism that believes God is only one person, and that he manifests himself in different ways, faces, or "modes": "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) are different designations for the one God. God is the Father. God is the Holy Spirit. The Son is God manifest in flesh. The term Son always refers to the Incarnation, and never to deity apart from humanity.". They believe that Jesus was "Son" only when he became flesh on earth, but was the Father prior to his being made human. They refer to the Father as the "Spirit" and the Son as the "Flesh". Oneness Pentecostals reject the Trinity doctrine as pagan and unscriptural, and hold to the Jesus' Name doctrine with respect to baptisms. Oneness Pentecostals are often referred to as "Modalists" or "Sabellians" or "Jesus Only".

• Some forms of Quakerism hold universalist views.

• Swedenborgianism holds that the Trinity exists in one person, the Lord God Jesus Christ. The Father, the being or soul of God, was born into the world and put on a body from Mary. Throughout his life, Jesus put away all human desires and tendencies until he was completely divine. After his resurrection, he influences the world through the Holy Spirit, which is his activity. Thus Jesus Christ is the one God; the Father as to his soul, the Son as to his body, and the Holy Spirit as to his activity in the world. Swedenborgians have also been referred to as "Modalists". source: wikipedia

Complete List

Oneness Pentecostalism

Main article: Oneness Pentecostalism

Affirming Pentecostal Church International Gay Apostolic Pentecostals Apostolic Assemblies of Christ Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus Apostolic Brethren Apostolic Church of Pentecost Apostolic Gospel Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic Overcoming Holy Church of God Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Churches of Jesus Christ International Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Pentecostal Assemblies of the World United Pentecostal Church International Unitarianism and Universalism Main articles: Unitarianism and Christian Universalism See also: Unitarian Universalism American Unitarian Conference, North America Christian Universalist Association, US International Council of Unitarians and Universalists Australian and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association Canadian Unitarian Council Deutsche Unitarier Religionsgemeinschaft, Germany European Unitarian Universalists General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, United Kingdom & Ireland Unitarian Universalist Association, US Unitarian Universalist Society of Spain Unitarisk Kirkesamfund, Denmark Socinianism (extinct as a modern and distinct group) Polish Brethren (extinct as a modern and distinct group) Bible Student groups Main article: Bible Student movement Christian Millennial Fellowship Dawn Bible Students Association Friends of Man Jehovah's Witnesses Laymen's Home Missionary Movement Pastoral Bible Institute Swedenborgianism Main article: Swedenborgianism General Church of the New Jerusalem Swedenborgian Church of North America Other non-Trinitarians Arianism Christadelphians Church of the Blessed Hope Church of Christ, Scientist Doukhobors ("Spirit-Wrestlers") Arian Catholic Church Iglesia ni Cristo Makuya Molokans Members Church of God International Most Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus Subbotniks Two by Twos ("Christian Conventions") Unification Church Universal Alliance The Way International

source: wikipedia

While the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) believes what is written in the bible and teaches only what was in the bible:

CORE VALUES

Bible as basis of faith. The Iglesia Ni Cristo regards the Holy scriptures as the sole basis of its faith and practice. Some of its fundamental scriptural teachings are as follows:

Absolute oneness of god the father. The Church believes in the teaching of Christ and the Apostles that the father, the Creator, alone is the true God. (john 17:1, 3; I cor. 8:6)

Jesus Christ, the Son of god. The Iglesia Ni Cristo believe in jesus Christ as the son of god. God made him lord and savior. Jesus Christ is holy and a very special man but not God. (matt. 3:17; Acts 2:36; 5:31; I tim. 2:5; John 10:36; 8:40; Acts 2:22)

The Church of Christ. The faithful firmly believe that the Church Of Christ is the one Christ established for the salvation of mankind. It is for the Church of that Christ gave his life and thus, it is this church that he will save on judgment day. (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:23, 25)

Judgment Day. The Church of Christ believes that God appointed a day when he will judge all people through Christ. This is the day of the Second Advent of Christ, which is alos the end of the worls. (Acts 17:31; Jude 1:14-15; II pet. 3:7, 10)

Baptism. The Iglesia Ni Cristo observes the biblical way of baptism, which is immersion in water. Receiving baptism in the church of Christ is necessary for one to become a disciple of Christ, to be forgiven of sin, and to have hope for salvation. (Acts 8:38; john 3:23; Rom. 6:3-5; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16)

Resurrection. The resurrection of Christ is the main proof that the death will rise. Those in Christ will rise first to be with him forever in the Holy City. Those who are not of Christ will rise a thousand years after the first resurrection to be cast into the lake of fire. (I cor. 15:12-13; I thess 4:16-17; Rev. 20:5-10; 21:1-4)

Unity. The Church of Christ is one in faith and practice. Its unity remains intact through a centralized form of administration that ensures the adherence of all members and congregations to the same bible teachings and church rules.

Morality and Holiness. The Iglesia Ni Cristo strives to maintain a high moral standard. It regards the teaching of the bible as a way of life. It promotes purity of life among its members by means of instructions, reminders, and when necessary, corrective or disciplinary measures.

Peace and Order. The Church Of Christ helps maintain peace and order by teaching its members to respect and observe rules and regulations governing such. They are dissuaded from joining unions and organizations that resort to violence or extra-legal means to advance their causes.

Lawfulness and Discipline. The Church puts a premium on lawfulness and discipline. It complies with the apostolic teaching to submit to human authority, that is, the duly constituted government and abide by its laws (Titus 3:1; I pet. 2:13). But over and above any law, its members obey the laws of god for Christians in our time as written in the bible.

Brotherhood and equality of members. The Iglesia Ni Cristo promotes Christian brotherly love. All members are deemed equal in the sight of god. (Gal. 3:26, 28). Gender, racial, social, educational, and economic discriminations are strongly discouraged.

Sanctity of marriage. Marriage in the Church of Christ is regarded as sacred and inviolable. It is god himself who instituted marriage and he does not allow the separation of the husband and wife whom he joined together (Matt. 19:4-6). Thus, the Church of Christ does not subscribe to divorce, annulment or legal separation as a solution to marital problems in the same way that it opposes live-in relationships and same-sex marriage.

Stability of the family. The Church of Christ acknowledges the importance of family as the basic unit of its organization and of society as a whole. The stability of every family contributes to the stability of the entire church. The home is where religious education begins so Christian parenting and proper love of children are taught and reinforced at every opportune time.

Separation of Church and State. The Church of Christ upholds the democratic ideal of separation of church and state. It advances through peaceful and legal means the right and freedom of its members and congregations to conduct worship and other religious activities as provided for and protected by the fundamental law of the land.

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