How I See It...
Unitarian Christians believe in the divinity of Jesus’s mission. By "divinity," I mean the reflection of God's glory through compassion, kindness, and charity to all those we encounter. The Gospels, inspired by God in the hearts of the writers, may represent a conscious awareness of what it means to be good in this world—to be noble, humble, and affectionate towards all.
Personally, I find this topic deeply meaningful because it bridges faith and reason, offering a path to spiritual understanding without dogma. Unitarians do not believe that Jesus is the Supreme God. They may believe that, although Jesus is exalted far above all other created beings, he remains distinct from, inferior to, and dependent upon God.
With this understanding, we will explore scriptural arguments that assert God is One and Jesus is a man. We will delve into the words of the Bible, examining passages that support the oneness of God and the humanity of Jesus. This journey aims to uncover a rational and compassionate perspective on these profound beliefs.
Argument 1: John 8:17-18
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes several statements that highlight His distinctness from God the Father, underscoring His humanity while reflecting divine mission and purpose. A critical passage is John 8:17-18, where Jesus says:
"It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one who bears witness of myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness of me."
This statement not only emphasizes the distinction between Jesus and God the Father but also aligns with Jewish legal principles, requiring the testimony of two witnesses to establish truth. By referring to "your law," Jesus likely alludes to Deuteronomy 17:6 or Deuteronomy 19:15, which mandate the corroboration of two or three witnesses to validate a testimony.
When Jesus uses the phrase "your law," He differentiates Himself from His audience, possibly indicating a Rabbinic interpretation or a personal aspect of the debate. Throughout this chapter, the Pharisees question Jesus’ legitimacy, challenge His claim to be "the light of the world" (John 8:12), and even attempt to discredit His birth and sanity (John 8:41, 48). Jesus responds by emphasizing His mission and the Father's testimony about Him.
Jesus' reference to the law and His testimony highlights two key points:
Distinctness from God the Father: Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as a separate entity from God the Father. The language of "two men" is significant, as it parallels how distinct human witnesses are considered in legal terms. This indicates that Jesus and the Father are two distinct witnesses, affirming that Jesus is a man distinct from God.
Human and Divine Interaction: While Jesus is distinct in being, the divine works through Him to fulfill His mission. The divinity in Jesus's mission—expressed through compassion, kindness, and charity—illustrates how divine influence can operate through human beings. This divine interaction is not exclusive to Jesus but can manifest through all people who bring light into the world.
Unitarian Christians interpret this passage as evidence that Jesus, while exalted and divinely inspired, remains a human distinct from God. His divinity lies in His mission and the values He embodies, not in being the Supreme God. This understanding underscores the oneness of God and the humanity of Jesus, aligning with the broader Unitarian perspective that emphasizes the distinction between God and Jesus while recognizing the profound spiritual impact of Jesus's life and teachings.
By examining this passage and its context, we see a clear scriptural argument that supports the belief in the oneness of God and the humanity of Jesus. This interpretation encourages a view of Jesus as a divinely guided human, whose mission reflects God's compassion, kindness, and charity, rather than equating Him with God Himself. (Or herself, but that is another topic)
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