For the first several centuries, the New Testament writers and early writers declared the unveiling of the Son from His Father, the one true God. They also declared that the Son was God, too, for what is begotten of God, is God. But in later centuries, there was a overreaction to heresy, so the Son began to be elevated to be co-equal with God, the Father.
I am curious as to why we haven't gone back to the teachings before this overreaction? Why are Christians, theologians, professors, etc. afraid to just let Scripture and the early writings speak for themselves? Is it because there is something that doesn't feel right about making Jesus "less?"
You don't get much closer to the original source than the disciples of the apostles. These writings have been copied in Latin, Syriac, Greek and other languages. They clearly distinguish themselves in their writings from the heretical arguments of the gnostics, and many are referenced/endorsed by the later church fathers. They are reliable and should be considered heavily when determining what the writers of the NT were trying to say.
What did the disciples of the apostles believe?
Clement of Rome (disciple of Paul and Peter, died in 99AD). Origen says he is the Clement of Phil 4:3 [Commentary,
John 1:29]. His writing is the earliest outside of the NT writings (80-140 AD). Note that he prays to God the Father directly, through the Son. He tells God that He is God
alone and is the Highest, and does His work through his Son, Jesus Christ.
1Clem 59:3
[Grant unto us, Lord,] that we may set our hope on Thy Name which is
the primal source of all creation, and open the eyes of our hearts, that we may know Thee,
who alone abidest Highest in the lofty... and hast chosen out from all men those that love Thee
through Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son...
verse 4 (next verse)
Let all the Gentiles know that
Thou art the God alone, and Jesus Christ is Thy Son...
Ignatius (disciple of Peter and John, died 108 AD)
I long after the Lord, the
Son of the true God and Father, even Jesus Christ.
(Ignatius to the Romans, chapter VI)
But our Physician is
the only true God, the unbegotten and unapproachable, the Lord of all,
the Father and Begetter of the only-begotten Son.
(Ignatius to the Ephesians, chapter VII)
He made known the one and only true God, His Father, and underwent the passion, and endured the cross at the hands of the Christ-killing Jews, under Pontius Pilate the governor and Herod the king. He also died, and rose again, and ascended into the heavens...
(Ignatius to the Romans, chapter VI)
Polycarp (disciple of John, died 155 AD)
Now may the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal High Priest (I Tim 2:5 makes a similar statement) himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth...
(Polycarp's Letter to the Philippians, 12:2)
Before we even get out of the gate to later disciples, the direct disciples of the Apostles teach that the Father is true God. They also state that Jesus is God, too, but only the Father is true God and/or Most High God. This theme is carried on in the writings for the next few hundred years right up to the formation of the Nicean Creed. If you truly consider their teachings, then it helps when you are reading Scripture...
John 3:33-35 and
John 5:43-44: Jesus refers to the Father as the “only God.”
John 17:3 – Only true God is Whom Jesus is talking to. (see also
John 5:44)
1 Thess 1:9-10 – True God and His Son (also see
John 3:33, 5:44 and
John 17:3)
1 John 5:20 – God is the true God, depicted in the Son – very clear Who is truly God and Who is Son
I Tim 1:17 and Jude 25 – The Father is the only God.
1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Eph4:6, Gal 3:20, 1 Tim 2:5,
1 John 5:20 – One God, the Father
Col 3:10 – Jesus is the image,
created by God (see 2 Cor 4:4, Col 1:15,
1 John 5:20)
Rev 3:14 – Jesus is the
beginning of creation
Of course, this goes against what we are taught about the Trinity today, so we outright disregard the evidence of their writings. Sad. We should believe what we read, not read what we believe.