📊 Trinitarian Christianity vs. Henotheistic Christianity (Biblical Worldview Model)
Category | Trinitarian Christianity | Henotheistic (Biblical) Christianity |
Nature of God | One God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons: Father, Son, Spirit | One supreme God (YHWH) above all other real divine beings |
Jesus | Fully God and fully man, eternally equal with the Father | God’s exalted Messiah and Lord, appointed by God, subordinate to Him |
Holy Spirit | A divine person equal to Father and Son, third member of Trinity | Distinct personal agent of God—relational, active, yet subordinate to YHWH |
Spiritual Beings | Angels exist but not viewed as “gods” in a real sense today | Multiple spiritual beings exist as real powers(angels, archangels, “gods”) |
Monotheism Style | Strict philosophical monotheism | Henotheism—YHWH supreme among many divine beings |
Worship | Worship directed to Father, Son, and Spirit together | Worship directed to YHWH only, while acknowledging Jesus’ authority and Spirit’s agency |
Salvation | Through Christ’s divinity and atoning sacrifice | Through trusting God and following Jesus as the appointed Messiah |
Early Church Development | Doctrine shaped by 2nd–4th century theologians and creeds | Closer to 1st-century Jewish-Christian thought before formal creeds |
View of Spiritual Realm | Often symbolic or background theology | Central to worldview—active, populated, and relevant to life |
Relationship Between Persons | Co-equal unity within Godhead | Hierarchical: YHWH > Christ > Spirit > Angels/demons/other powers |
🔥 In essence:
Trinitarianism | Henotheistic Model |
God is Father, Son, Spirit | God has Son and Spirit |
Unity as three-in-one | Unity as one above many |
Philosophical monotheism | Cosmic hierarchy under one God |
Doctrine formed later | Worldview rooted in earliest Scripture |
