In a recent discussion about the nature of God, someone asked me a pointed question:
“So, are you a polytheist?” It’s a fair question—and an important one—especially when you believe that the Father and the Son are two distinct beings.
Adding to the confusion, some teach that God created the Son—that Jesus had a beginning. However, this is not what the Bible teaches. Rather, the Bible teaches that the Father and the Son are distinct beings, but both are eternal. They have always existed.
Understanding this helps frame what the Bible reveals about God: not as a solitary figure, but as a divine family—united in spirit, purpose, and destiny. In fact, the Hebrew word “Elohim,” often translated “God,” is plural in form, suggesting not multiple gods, but a family name shared by divine beings.
Monotheism, Polytheism, and Something More
Classical monotheism, particularly in its Trinitarian form, teaches that there is one God who exists as three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Polytheism, by contrast, posits the existence of multiple, independent gods.
But the Bible paints a different picture. It describes the Father and the Son as distinct personalities, yet fully united in will, purpose, and divine nature ( John 10:30). They are not rivals; they are not separate deities competing for worship. They are unified perfectly in character and purpose.
Though we have always considered ourselves as monotheists, this understanding aligns closely with what some theologians have called binitarian monotheism or monotheistic family theology—the idea that God is not a solitary individual, but a unified family.
Sharing One Spirit
In traditional Trinitarian theology, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are said to share the same “essence.” However, a careful reading of Scripture reveals something slightly different: the Father and the Son are united by the same Spirit.
The Bible teaches that just as there is a spirit in man (Job 32:8; 1 Corinthians 2:11), there is a Spirit that proceeds from God—a Spirit that empowers, sustains, and connects. This Spirit is not a separate person but the very power and presence of God, flowing from both the Father and the Son (John 15:26).
Thus, their unity is not just about shared “substance,” but about sharing the same Spirit—the same mind, the same will, the same life-force. John 1:1 captures this profound reality: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The “Word” (the Son) is distinct from God (the Father), yet fully shares His Spirit and divinity.
A Hierarchy Without Division
This divine relationship also contains a structure: the Father holds supreme authority, and the Son willingly submits to Him (John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28). But this submission does not imply inferiority—just as a human son who honors his father is no less human.
Jesus’ subjection to the Father reveals a deep unity rooted in love, purpose, and trust—a pattern the Bible repeatedly points to in describing healthy relationships, both divine and human.
A Kingdom Analogy: One Throne, One Royal Family
To better grasp this concept, consider the structure of a monarchy. In a true kingdom, there is one sovereign—one ultimate authority, typically the king. But royalty extends to the entire royal family. The son of the king may go out and act on the king’s behalf. When subjects bow to the son, they are honoring the king’s authority because the son represents him fully and carries his seal. This doesn’t make the son a rival ruler or suggest multiple kings—it reflects a unified government, a family bound by shared rule and hierarchy.
In the same way, Jesus acts under the authority of the Father, carrying out His will. Scripture says that when all is accomplished, “the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:14-28). This is not polytheism—it’s a divine family, with one throne, one Spirit, and perfect unity.
The Family Model at the Heart of Creation
The Bible often frames God’s purpose through the lens of family. Ephesians 3:14–15 speaks of “the family in heaven and earth” named after the Father. Genesis 1:26 reveals humanity was created in the image of God—male and female, in a relationship meant to reflect a higher divine reality.
In His final prayers before His crucifixion, Jesus asked that His followers “may be one as we are one” (John 17:21–22). This request wasn’t about dissolving individuality but about achieving perfect unity—mirroring the oneness between the Father and the Son.
God’s plan is not merely to create obedient subjects but to build a family that shares His very nature.
How This View Differs From Traditional Models
This family-centered view of God differs from classical Trinitarianism, which posits three co-equal, co-eternal persons within one God. It also stands apart from polytheism, which portrays gods as separate beings often at odds with one another. Instead, this family-centered view of God presents a relational, hierarchical unity: distinct beings, eternally bound by one Spirit, one purpose, and one future.
Far from diminishing the majesty of God, this perspective enlarges it. It highlights God whose greatness is not isolated individuality nor beyond our understanding, but rather the family-centered view highlights relational love and shared glory.
Not Polytheists, but Children of a Divine Family
So, are we polytheists? No. We are not worshipping multiple competing gods. We are embracing a biblical vision of God as a divine family—a Father and a Son, perfectly united by one Spirit, inviting others into that same glorious unity.
We pray to the Father, just as Jesus instructed: “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’” (Matthew 6:9). Even in prayer, this pattern reflects the order and relationship within the divine family—approaching the Father through the example and authority of the Son.
I realize this view may differ from mainstream Christianity and may challenge some deeply held assumptions. But I believe it captures the heart of the biblical narrative: a Father, a Son, and an open invitation to become children of God (John 1:12). After all, family has always been at the center of His plan.
Ryan Welsh