Undivided unity of God

What it is: This central belief affirms that God is one in a strict and undivided sense, without an ontological distinction of three coequal and coeternal persons.

How the tradition understands it: Unitarianism sees this position as a way of preserving monotheism without resorting to later Trinitarian metaphysical formulations. The Father is usually identified as the only true God in the fullest sense.

Textual or traditional basis: Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45, John 17:3, and 1 Corinthians 8:6 are commonly cited texts.

Historical context: Unitarian criticism of the Trinity gained strength in the biblical and rational debates of the Radical Reformation and the post-Reformation era.

Common objections: Critics argue that this position does not do justice to the broader New Testament witness about Christ and the Spirit.

Internal variations: Nearly all Unitarian currents affirm God's undivided unity, but they differ in how they relate this to Christ's identity and the role of the Spirit.

Supportive

1 Corinthians 8:6

bible,paul,god,father,unitarianism

One God, the Father.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 8:6.

Content: Paul speaks of one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.

Use in debate: It is used to articulate a distinction between God and Christ without classical Trinitarian language.

1 John 5:7 (Comma Johanneum)

bible,trinity,textual-criticism,unitarianism

Text historically used in defense of the Trinity and criticized on textual grounds.

Reference: 1 John 5:7, in the expanded form known as the Comma Johanneum.

Content: The passage was historically used to defend the Trinity, but its textual authenticity is strongly disputed.

Use in debate: Unitarians often cite this case to argue that certain textual defenses of the Trinity are weak.

Deuteronomy 6:4

bible,monotheism,god,unitarianism

The Lord is one.

Reference: Deuteronomy 6:4.

Content: The Shema affirms the unity of God in a central way within the biblical tradition.

Use in debate: It is one of the most important passages for unitarian monotheism and the critique of the Trinity.

Isaiah 45:5

bible,god,monotheism,unitarianism

Besides God there is no other.

Reference: Isaiah 45:5.

Content: God declares that there is no other besides him.

Use in debate: The text is used to reinforce the undivided singularity of God.

John 17:3

bible,jesus,father,monotheism,unitarianism

The Father as the only true God.

Reference: John 17:3.

Content: Jesus speaks of the Father as the only true God and of himself as the one sent.

Use in debate: It is perhaps the New Testament text most often cited by Unitarians to distinguish God from Christ.