The question of who is more important between Jesus and God is one of the most complex and controversial theological questions within the Christian faith.
One reason is that it touches on whether Jesus is divine or not. However, we won’t delve into this subject and just focus on the question.
While Jesus and God are central to the Christian faith, their roles and significance differ.
The discussion in this post will revolve around the idea of two camps: The Trinitarian camp and the Nontrinitarian camp.
First, let’s discuss the Trinitarian view.
The Trinitarian Perspective
The trinitarian view is a cornerstone of Christian theology, asserting that there is one God who exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
This belief is based on a careful reading of the Bible, particularly the New Testament, and has been central to the Christian understanding of God for centuries.
Distinct Roles of the Trinity
Each member of the Trinity is regarded as fully God and separate from the others.
It is believed that the Father created and sustains the universe, the Son is the human race’s Savior, and the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and Leader of Believers.
Although each person has unique functions and qualities, they are all deemed equal in essence and substance.
In this context, Jesus is regarded as equally important as God, as he is considered to be one of the three persons of the Trinity.
This means that Jesus is not just a human being or a prophet but is also fully divine.
In fact, Jesus is often referred to as the “Son of God,” a title that conveys his divine nature and close relationship with the Father.
It is impossible to overestimate the significance of Jesus’ place in the Trinity.
He is in charge of saving humanity from sin and making us right with God as the Son of God.
This was accomplished through the central moments in Christian history—his life, death, and resurrection.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice, believers are offered salvation and the hope of eternal life.
Guiding Example
Jesus’ example in both his life and his teachings guides how Christians should conduct themselves in the outside world.
He demonstrated love, compassion, and selflessness, and his teachings on forgiveness, mercy, and justice continue to inspire and challenge believers today.
The trinitarian notion is controversial despite its prominence in Christian doctrine. Opponents contend that holding to the idea of a triune God is illogical and contradictory.
Some claim that the church later invented the concept of the Trinity and that it is not directly established in the Bible.
The Great Commission, Jesus’ baptism, and Paul’s writings to the Corinthians are just a few of the biblical texts that proponents of the trinitarian viewpoint use as evidence for their position.
They also claim that the Trinity is vital to thoroughly understanding and appreciating the complexity and mystery of God’s essence.
The Non-Trinitarian Perspective
While the trinitarian view is the most widely accepted belief among Christians, there are also nontrinitarian views on the importance of Jesus and God.
Some Christian groups hold these opinions, including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Unitarians, who reject the idea of the Trinity and insist that God is one rather than existing as three separate individuals.
According to nontrinitarian doctrine, Jesus was a prophet or teacher who lived among us, not as a deity.
Instead of considering Jesus as a mediator or savior, the emphasis is on God as the one and only real God and the source of salvation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses Perspective
For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was the first creation of God and that he was a perfect human being but not divine.
They believe that Jesus’ role was to act as a ransom sacrifice, which made it possible for humans to be saved from sin and death.
However, they do not believe in the Trinity and do not consider Jesus to be equal to God.
Unitarian Christians
Similarly, Unitarian Christians reject the Trinity and believe in the unity of God. They do not see Jesus as divine but rather as a human being who was a teacher and a prophet.
Rather than emphasizing Jesus’ function as a savior, they underline the significance of his teachings and his example of what it means to live a moral life.
Roots and Criticisms
Nontrinitarian beliefs are often rooted in a desire to simplify and clarify Christian theology and emphasize the unity of God.
However, some Christians have criticized these beliefs for downplaying the importance of Jesus and his role as the savior of humanity.
Despite these criticisms, nontrinitarian views continue to be held by many Christians, who find them more consistent with biblical teachings and more in line with their understanding of God’s nature.
The Importance of Jesus and God in Christian Life
While there are different views on who is more important between Jesus and God within Christianity, what is clear is that both are considered to be of utmost importance in the Christian life.
Trinitarian Perspective
For trinitarian Christians, Jesus is seen as the savior of humanity, who offers the possibility of salvation and eternal life through his sacrifice on the cross.
He is also seen as a model for how Christians should live and interact with others, embodying values such as love, compassion, and selflessness.
Nontrinitarian Perspective
Meanwhile, nontrinitarian Christians view Jesus as a prophet or teacher who lived among us and as a significant historical figure who personified Christian principles and teachings.
His ideas on social justice, forgiveness, and love are seen as essential to Christian ethics and morality.
Moreover, nontrinitarian viewpoints frequently place a strong emphasis on leading a moral and ethical life, imitating Jesus’ example, as a result of their focus on the unity of God and the significance of personal responsibility.
Regardless of the specific beliefs about Jesus and God, both are seen as central to Christian life and faith.
The importance of Jesus and God is reflected in Christian worship, prayer, and community life.
Christians often gather together to celebrate the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus and to worship God as the creator and sustainer of the universe.
Who is More Important, Jesus or God?
Ultimately, asking this question is like asking a bird which of its two wings is more important. Is it the left wing or the right wing?
As discussed, Jesus and God are equally important to the Christian faith, regardless of whether you’re a trinitarian or a non-trinitarian.
Theological Positions
The question of who is more important, Jesus or God, is a complex one that depends on one’s theological position within Christianity.
Trinitarian and nontrinitarian Christians have different views on the nature of God and Jesus, which influence their understanding of their relative importance.
Complementary Roles
Nevertheless, it’s clear that the Christian faith can be complete without either Jesus or God.
The Bible itself says that Jesus and God the Father are one.
Whether this means Jesus is God himself or that they are united in mind, heart, and spirit is left to the interpreter.
What is clear, however, is that both play significant roles in the Christian faith.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that this is a theological debate that has been ongoing for centuries within Christianity, and there is no one “correct” answer.
Ultimately, the most important thing for Christians is to focus on living out the teachings and values of Jesus and to seek a deeper understanding of their relationship with God, whether that understanding includes a belief in the Trinity or not.
