The CORE of Orthodox Monotheism
Orthodox Monotheism, or Biblical Monotarianism is a Christian worldview based on the authority and plain reading of the holy scriptures, or what we have come to commonly call “The Bible.” The Bible is not one book, but a collection of writings spanning centuries but deemed and embraced by Christians as one marvelous coherent revelation or message given by God to all people climaxing beginning with the birth of His son, Jesus (Heb 1:1-2) and all that he accomplished in his life.
Therefore, Orthodox Monotheists hold the Bible alone as the inspired word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 3:16). We hold that the Bible alone is sufficient in itself for all doctrine, instruction, correction and reproof (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 11:2, 23, 15:3). In short, the Bible is sufficient to shape our Christian Worldview and guide us in all matters of doctrine about God BUT also how we are to live our lives for His Glory.
Since the Bible is to be our sole authoritative and sufficient source of instruction, it cannot be added to, subtracted from or superseded by any historically developed doctrines and creeds of men (Deuteronomy 4:1-4; 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Jeremiah 26:2; Matthew 15:9; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 1:3 and 6:3-4; Revelation 22:18).
In fact, it is the opinion and experience of this author that years historically developed theology and added ideas of men has greatly contributed to the confusion and division we presently see in Christianity today. (One simply has to look at the different church buildings on every street corner.) The author of this site would further add that there is so much silliness, ridiculousness, and nonsense believed by many Christians today who consider what they believe is “orthodox” Christian teaching. This site hopes to examine many of those things also.
For an Orthodox Monotheist, this embracing of the Bible as inspired and sufficient is therefore essential in properly understanding the CORE of Christianity which is who God is, who Jesus is, what the Gospel of the Kingdom is (Isa 9:6-7; Mark 1:15; Mark 10:15; Mat 4:23; Mat 24:14; Mat 25:34; Acts 1:3; Acts 20:24-25; Col 1:13) and living accordingly. As already stated, by strong conviction, forsaking the authority of the scriptures has resulted in the mess, confusion, division, and ineffectiveness of the Church we see in the world and our culture today.
God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33).
[NOTE : Thank God though that He is merciful and gracious to work among the mess and confusion and able to bring people in the world to Himself, as he did with me. God is not limited even by false or ignorant teaching. This, however, should not be used as an excuse to defend the theological division, nonsense, and confusion within “Christendom”]
The simplicity of an Orthodox Monotheist Christian Wordview and Gospel of the Kingdom (Luke 4:43; Mat 24:14) has in a large extent been buried under the pile of layers upon layers of historical dust of added traditions, opinions, and teachings of men that need to be peeled off and be safely discarded without changing the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Orthodox Monotheists certainly have differing opinions on many points of non-essential teachings, but are united in this core of Christianity introduced in this post. (This site hopes to touch on non-essentials also but the focus is the core of Christianity and an Orthodox Monotheist worldview). This site’s author, after a long journey, believes that Orthodox Monotheism (or Monotarianism) is the worldview and faith of Christians that was prophesied about in the Old Testament, fully revealed in the New Testament scriptures, held to by the Jews, taught by Jesus, taught in the Apostolic age, and held to by believers prior to the Council of Nicea in the 4th century and after when the very nature of God, Jesus, and the Gospel of the Kingdom began to slowly morph and depart from Christianity’s simple scriptural Monotheist and Gospel of the Kingdom roots.
God’s revelation is given to all people – regular people – and therefore should not be very complicated for anyone to grasp. When examined and scrutinized by the scriptures, Orthodox Monotheism is “orthodox” or else this author would not have this site!
So who is God in an Orthodox Monotheist worldview?
God
Orthodox Monotheists believe that there is one eternally existing person or “self” who is identified as God. He alone created all things (Isaiah 44:24). He is the Father of Jesus Christ and is the only true God (John 17:3). One Father is of course one Person (Malachi 2:10). God is ONE God, being numerically one (Deuteronomy 4:35, 39; 6:4; Isaiah 45:5, 14; Mark 12:29; John 5:44; John 17:3; Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 2:5; Jude 1:25). The scriptural definition of the One God, who is the Father, simply can be seen by the thousands of singular pronouns and references to Himself as singular pronouns “He, Him, Himself, You, Yourself, I, Me, and Myself” found throughout the scriptures.
It is the conviction of Orthodox Monotheism that after the close of the Apostolic age, the doctrine of “The Trinity” took centuries to be developed and sadly with much bloodbath. The post-Nicene (325 AD) and after novelty and invention of the doctrine of “The Trinity” as God being ONE “BEING” in “THREE PERSONS, “or as one author has put it – “One What [Grk: Ousia / essence] in Three Whos [Grk: hypostases / persons]” is illogical and without scriptural warrant. Perhaps more importantly, “The Trinity” dogma departs dramatically from the strict, simple Jewish Monotheism believed by God’s people for thousands of years, from what Jesus himself taught, and from what the authors of the New Testament held as their basic worldview in regard to God.
In light of that, Orthodox Monotheists believe :
God created the universe by Himself (Isaiah 37:16; 43:21; 44:24; 45:12, 18; Nehemiah 9:6; Matthew 19:4, 6; Acts 4:24; Revelation 14:7)
God’s revealed name is Yahweh (YHWH) (Exodus 3:15; 15:3; Jeremiah 16:21)
God is spirit (John 4:24; Matthew 10:20).
God ALONE, in Himself, is eternal, immortal, and invisible by nature (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; John 1:18; 1 John 4:12).
God is Sovereign, all powerful, unlimited in His presence (Job 11:7; Psalm 139:2-8; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; 1 John 3:20) and therefore knows all past and present realities. He has future events and plans that He will accomplish in history. His will be done fully on earth as it is in heaven. We have been told in scripture what that end is – The Kingdom of God.
God is the Father alone (John 17:3; John 8:54; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 4:6) of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah (Romans 15:6; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3). This is repeated here because not only is He the Father of our Lord Jesus; but as Christians He is “Our Father” as well (Mat 6:9; Luke 11:2; John 20:17; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 4:6).
God is holy, compassionate, merciful, and loving (Exodus 33:18-19; 34:5-7; Leviticus 19:2; 20:26; Psalm 78:38; Micah 7:18; John 3:16; Romans 5:5, 8, 39; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:8, 16).
God sent His only begotten son (John 3:16), Jesus the Christ/Messiah, to redeem mankind from the effects of sin and the reality of death. God has also vested in Jesus the authority to bestow eternal life. This was God the Father’s will and His plan from the foundation of the world (John 3:15-17; John 6:38; 7:28; 8:32; Acts 4:28-31).
So who is Jesus in an Orthodox Monotheist worldview?
Jesus
Jesus is the manifested word (greek “logos”) (John 1:1-3, 14; 1 John 1:1-4) power and wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).
Jesus was begotten (conceived, originated) in the womb of the virgin Mary, a miracle wrought by the spirit of God (Matthew 1:18, 25; Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4). He is throughout scripture called “the Son of God” and never called ‘God the Son,’ or a second person of “The Trinity.” Jesus is called both “Son of God” (because he was begotten by the spirit of God) and “Son of Man” (because he is fully human). God’s plan “from the beginning” was made flesh in the person of Jesus, who perfectly represented God, his Father.
Jesus was foreknown by God (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8).
Jesus is a man, a human being (John 8:40; Acts 2:22-23; 17:31; 1 Timothy 2:5) — the Second or last Adam — (1 Corinthians 15:45). He is not just a “mere man” because he was miraculously begotten by God’s spirit in the womb of a virgin, but he was begotten as human in every way (Hebrews 2:17). Jesus experienced all the ordinary, non-sinful limitations of humanity. He grew and developed. He experienced hunger, thirst, weariness, temptation, and the full range of all human emotions. Jesus experienced everything that humans experience, except without any action of sinning (Heb 4:15). Jesus was designated by God to be the mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5) which is an emphasis on his humanity, a core and crucial aspect of Jesus being the “Second Adam.”
Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Christ and the coming King (Matt 16:16, 20; Luke 4:41; 9:20; John 1:41, 49; 4:25-26; 12:12-16; 20:31; Daniel 7:13-14).
Jesus is the apostle and high priest of God, the one sent by God to do the works of God (Micah 5:2) and to rule on God’s behalf (John 5:36; 10:32, 37; 17:4; Hebrews 3:1-2).
Jesus has a God, who is the Father (Matthew 27:46; John 20:16-17; Romans 15:5-6; 2 Corinthians 1:2-3; 11:30-31; Ephesians 1:1-3, 15-17; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:4-6; 3:2, 12). (This is contrary to the later novelty doctrine of “The Trinity” that Jesus is “equal and consubstantial with God the Father and therefore God himself.”)
Jesus is in subjection to or subordinate to God (1 Corinthians 15:22-28; 11:3; John 14:28). As such, Jesus only did the will of his Father (John 5:30; 10:29; Luke 22:42; Hebrews 10:7, 9).
Jesus lived an obedient, sinless life unto God (John 8:29; 15:10; Hebrews 4:15; 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
God anointed (empowered) Jesus with holy spirit (Luke 4:1, 14, 18-19) to perform the works of God. It was God who was working through Jesus (John 3:2; 5:19, 30, 36; 10:25; 14:10; Acts 2:22; 10:38). As a result, Jesus was obedient and only did the Father’s will over his own (Luke 22:42).
Because of Jesus’ faithful obedience, even unto death, God exalted him to His right hand and gave him the name (all authority) above all names (Mat 28:18; Philippians 2:9; John 3:35). God put all things in subjection to Jesus. (Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 16:19; Acts 2:33; 5:31;7:55-56; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 1 Peter 3:22 ).
God made Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36) and Prince or Leader (Acts 5:31).
Jesus was crucified, died and was raised (resurrected) to immortality by God (Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; Romans 6:9; 10:9; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Galatians 1:1; 1 Peter 1:21). (see especially 1 Cor 15:1-28).
[NOTE : contrary to “The Trinity” novelty’s logical implication, God simply cannot die. Philosophical inventions can not change that fact].
God appointed Jesus to be the judge of all humanity (Acts 10:42; 17:31; John 5:22, 26-27; 2 Timothy 4:1) on the “last day” (see Matthew 25)
These simple truths of scripture reveal that Jesus himself was mortal and he remained in the grave for three days until God gave him immortality by raising him from the dead (1 Cor 6:14; 2 Cor 4:14; Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:30). Jesus then ascended to heaven and now sits at the right hand of God interceding for his people. God is going to send Jesus back to this earth to establish His Kingdom and finality of His purposes for all eternity. (Luke 1:35; John 3:16; 20:31; 1 John 5:5; Acts 7:55).
Jesus was crucified on behalf of our sins. Those who believe, embrace, trust, and faithfully follow him will be given eternal life by God in the coming Kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:3, 21-22; 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5; Luke 20:26; John 3:14-19, 36; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 5:9).
Jesus is the only way to God the Father, the only means of salvation from sin and access to life in the Kingdom of God (John 3:5, 16-19; 14:6; Acts 4:10 and 12; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 5:9). God used Jesus to usher in the Kingdom of God which is already present in experience of God’s people, but not yet fulfilled until his return on the last day. Jesus will return to the earth “on the last day” and every eye will see him (Rev 1:7). To reiterate, Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to the God the Father but by him (John 14:6).
So what is the “holy spirit” in an Orthodox Monotheist worldview?
Holy Spirit
The holy spirit is “the spirit of your Father” (Mat 10:20). The holy spirit is God’s personal power and influence at work in the world. The terms “holy spirit,” “spirit of God,” “spirit of your Father,” etc. are used synonymously (Matthew 10:20 and Luke 12:12 and Mark 13:11-13; 1 Corinthians 2:11)
The holy spirit is “the spirit of truth” which enables us to know truth and proclaim it (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13)
The holy spirit empowers or energizes us to be the Lord’s witnesses (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Hebrews 2:4)
After Jesus was exalted by God to sit at His right hand, the spirit also became the personal influence of Jesus who baptizes us with God’s power (Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:49; John 1:33; 1 Corinthians 15:45; John 14:16-23, 26; Acts 1:4, 2:33; Romans 8:9).
God shows His power and Himself through His holy spirit which is directed by Jesus. That influence of the spirit of God is evident in the gifts given to individual Christians that empowers them to perform their ministries. (1 Cor. 12; Rom 12; Eph 4). Every Christian has a calling and as further demonstration of the spirit’s presence, evidence will be seen in each individual’s life in regards to their actions and attitudes. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – fruit of the holy spirit – should be evident in believers’ lives (Gal. 5:22-23). We are God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10) and some of us even need more work than others!
The holy spirit has been given to believers as a deposit of our future inheritance in the coming Kingdom of God (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
So what is the Kingdom of God in an Orthodox Monotheist worldview?
The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God IS the Gospel and the climax, goal, hope, and final end of all God’s purposes.
Orthodox Monotheists believe that the Kingdom of God is the ultimate hope that is offered to Christians from God, as we are offered citizenship in God’s coming Kingdom. Jesus is going to descend from heaven to earth and establish God’s Kingdom, and then he will hand over the Kingdom over to God to rule forever.
HOWEVER, that ALLEGIANCE to our Messiah and King BEGINS NOW.
Everything wrong with this world is going to be made right in God’s Kingdom. God himself will dwell with us for all of eternity. Jesus’ main message, why he was sent, was to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).
The Kingdom of God wasn’t just a minor part of His teaching. It was consistently the core of Jesus’ teaching that emphasized right from the very beginning of His ministry:
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).
Jesus taught us to pray to the Father “Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mat 6:10). The Kingdom of God is the end goal of God (Rev 21:1-5). It is the final event of history.
Even after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection he emphasized the core of his teaching about the Kingdom of God. He appeared to His disciples, “being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
In summary —- Orthodox Monotheism is therefore a message about God and His son Jesus, the empowering of God’s holy spirit – and is a message of redemption, hope, healing, restoration, and the free gift of eternal life (immortality given by God) in the Kingdom of God. This message is one of absolute Grace of God (Eph 2:8-9). It is a message that moves us to action in this world by loving others and bringing them to the knowledge of truth.
There is much more that could be said, but this is the CENTRAL CORE of Orthodox Monotheism.
The reader is also admonished to understand clearly that on this site Orthodox Monotheism is not to be confused with “Unitarian Universalism” that has its roots in the late 18th century, nor the “Unitarian Universalist Association” that was formed in 1961.
The author of this site has made the decision not to adopt or use the word “Unitarian” outside of Unitarian circles (there is absolutely nothing wrong with the word “Unitarian” if properly understood). For some it may be semantics without a difference, but I expand on WHY I desire to use the phrase “Orthodox Monotheist” in my next post.
*** Plus, this domain name was surprisingly available!!***
Enjoy the site. Feel free to comment in the form (when available).