Anthony Buzzard, a biblical unitarian theologian, holds that Trinitarian Christians are not true Christians
because they do not follow what he argues was the original belief system
of Jesus and his apostles. This position is based on his conviction
that the doctrine of the Trinity is a later, non-biblical development.
Buzzard's argument against the Trinity
- The Trinity as a later development: Buzzard argues that the idea of a triune God was a non-biblical innovation that emerged in the centuries after Christ. In his view, early biblical figures and Jesus himself would not have recognized this doctrine.
- Jesus as a human Messiah: Buzzard promotes a Socinian-like theology, asserting that Jesus was a human Messiah uniquely used by God, not a divine being himself. He teaches that the one true God of the Bible is God the Father alone.
- The "creed of Jesus": Buzzard calls for a return to the "creed of Jesus," which he defines as a Jewish theology of one God, the Father. His book Jesus Was Not a Trinitarian details his arguments for this position.
- Worship of Jesus: He asserts that the worship of Jesus by Trinitarians is a form of Christian idolatry that would have been alien to Jesus himself. While he acknowledges that Jesus is to be honored, he distinguishes this from the worship reserved for God the Father.
Mainstream Christian perspective
Mainstream Christians strongly disagree with Buzzard's position.
- Traditional Christology: Historic Christian teaching, based on biblical interpretation and established over centuries, holds that Jesus is fully divine and part of the Triune God. Major creeds, such as the Nicene Creed, articulate the doctrine of the Trinity and Jesus' divinity as foundational to orthodox Christianity.
- Interpretation of scripture: Where Buzzard sees contradictions or later additions, Trinitarian theologians point to biblical passages they interpret as affirming Jesus' divinity and pre-existence.
- Heresy vs. doctrine: The church has
historically regarded unitarian and similar non-Trinitarian views as
heretical. Mainstream theology views the articulation of the Trinity as
the faithful and necessary clarification of biblical teaching, not a
departure from it.
Context of his position
Buzzard's views come from his affiliation with biblical unitarianism,
a tradition rooted in the Radical Reformation. He was associated with
the Church of God General Conference (Abrahamic Faith) and the
Restoration Fellowship. The debate between Trinitarians and unitarians
on the nature of Jesus has existed throughout church history. The Apostles never preached a trinity but rather affirmed there is only one God, the father. 1 Corinthians 8:6 along with the words of Jesus, John 17:3 Buzzard declares that due to incorrect translations as well as deliberate alterations are the source for the trinity doctrine.
Sir Anthony Buzzard on Christian mistakes - Trinities
Mar 16, 2016 —
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