Understanding Arianism: The Danger of a Created Jesus

In my last blog, I wrote about Sabillianism. That’s a fun word. Say that with me. As a recap, Sabillius believed that the Trinity was not three parts but only Jesus. This gave birth to the “Jesus only” or “Oneness” movement. As I mentioned, I struggle theologically on whether this doctrine will keep someone from entering heaven. That is based on the definition of salvation in Romans. Either way, how do I say this? It is a ridiculous and unbiblical doctrine.

Today, I want to address Arianism. The early church grappled with both ideas. The church’s response led to the writing of the Nicene Creed and a few other lesser-known creeds. So, why is this relevant today? As with Sabillianism, Arianism is still present today, most notably in Mormonism. Let’s begin by defining Arianism.

Arianism is the belief that Jesus is a created being like everything else in our world. Arius struggled with the biblical term “begotten” as used in Scripture. He assumes that Jesus was “begotten” of the Father only if He was created. Let me be clear: while I may struggle with the eternal effects of the Oneness doctrine, I do not struggle with Arianism. Believing in a created Jesus is to deny His very nature. To deny His very nature is to believe in a very different Jesus than Scripture presents, and further calls into question His salvific work on the cross.

If Jesus is created, He is not truly divine, nor is He coequal to the Father and the Spirit. That opens the door to more theological challenges than I can put into a single blog. But think of it this way. If Jesus was created, is it possible for Him to be the perfect spotless lamb? How does His miraculous prophetic birth play into salvation history if He is not God?

This is not only a bizarre thought from human logic but absolutely contrary to Scripture. That is one reason why Mormons are Arians. They do not believe the Word of God is authoritative, but subordinate to the Book of Mormon. This leads us into another heresy, Gnosticism (special knowledge). It also leads to a created Jesus. That is a heresy for another day.

Johanan (John) writings are explicit in their teaching, especially John 1.

John 1:1-5 NLT

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

Denying Christ’s divinity is to deny His ability to save us. C. S. Lewis famously stated of Jesus, “He is either liar, lunatic, or Lord.” The God-man Jesus Christ running around claiming to be God would be insane and an affirmation of the accusations thrown at Him by the Pharisees. He is not created! He is eternal! He is fully God and fully man! He was there at creation and through Him all was created! The creator is not created.

One of my favorite quotes is from Terry Fullam (Time With God, Word Publishing, 1991, 3.) “He had to become man because man was the one who had sinned. He has to be God because God was the only One who could do anything about the sin of man.” The great truth of Christianity is that our God came to die for our sins. Jesus is not Satan’s brother as Mormonism declares. He is not simply a good man, as Islam teaches. He is God! In every way, He is God.

I do not worship a created being, but our eternal Savior. Thousands upon thousands of believers did not give their lives for a good person, but for God. This is the truth of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. This is the crux of the Gospel. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, came to save us. For that, He is infinitely worthy of our worship, now and forevermore.

Revelation 5:13 NLT

“And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Emphasis mine)