Can non-Trinitarians be saved?

Andrewn said:

This is why the Eastern Orthodox convened a very important synod in 1672. Among the decrees of that synod that strongly criticized Calvinism were the following statements:

"We believe the Divine and Sacred Scriptures to be God-taught; and, therefore, we ought to believe the same without doubting; yet not otherwise than as the Catholic Church has interpreted and delivered the same. For every foul heresy accepts the Divine Scriptures, but perversely interprets the same, using metaphors, and homonymies, and sophistries of man’s wisdom, confounding what ought to be distinguished, and trifling with what ought not to be trifled with.

"For if [we were to accept Scriptures] otherwise, each man holding every day a different sense concerning them, the Catholic Church would not by the grace of Christ continue to be the Church until this day, holding the same doctrine of faith, and always identically and steadfastly believing. But rather she would be torn into innumerable parties, and subject to heresies. Neither would the Church be holy, the pillar and ground of the truth, {1 Timothy 3:15} without spot or wrinkle; {Ephesians 5:27} but would be the Church of the malignant {Psalm 25:5} as it is obvious the church of the heretics undoubtedly is, and especially that of Calvin, who are not ashamed to learn from the Church, and then to wickedly repudiate her."

There is more criticism of Calvinism in the other decrees:

The Confession of Dositheus (Eastern Orthodox)

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I subscribe to the Council of Ephesus 431 that condemned Pelagianism (free will) and established Augustinianism (Calvinism).

I believe God will save anyone who wishes to be saved, regardless of church doctrine or whatever form of institutional religion they profess. One cannot truly reject what one knows little to nothing about, but there will come a time when ALL will know the truth of God and every eye shall see and every knee shall bow and yet perhaps there would still be those who choose to reject him.

Dave L said:

I subscribe to the Council of Ephesus 431 that condemned Pelagianism (free will) and established Augustinianism (Calvinism).

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The Council of Ephesus did not establish Calvinism and the Orthodox Church does not teach Pelagianism. Augustine didn’t teach Calvinism. Pelagianism is not the same teaching as free will.

All4Christ said:

The Council of Ephesus did not establish Calvinism and the Orthodox Church does not teach Pelagianism. Augustine didn’t teach Calvinism. Pelagianism is not the same teaching as free will.

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Not as I understand it.

Charlie24 said:

It is my understanding that the non-Trinitarians, or most, believe in Jesus the Saviour but that He is not equal to God. Many of us believe He is and we can see the truth of the Trinity in scripture.

We all hold to some doctrine that is not correct, whether we want to admit it or not.

It is my belief that only one doctrine must be believed to enter into the Kingdom of God.

The misunderstanding of the Trinity does NOT doom one to hell. Unbelief in Jesus the Saviour is what will doom ones soul.

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a created or lesser Jesus isn’t Jesus, however I don’t think that’s what oneness pents believe I think they just emphasize one ness. LDS is a lie from the enemy. Unfair to lump oneness folks (confused IMO) with LDS folks

Agree I think

GaveMeJoy said:

a created or lesser Jesus isn’t Jesus, however I don’t think that’s what oneness pents believe I think they just emphasize one ness.

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No, they make a big point of what they believe about the oneness, i.e. in what way the Trinitarian belief is denied by them.

We must make a distinction (as I believe several have made) between the individual and the institution. This is how, for instance, my own communion and the Eastern Orthodox communion can both venerate a saint like Mor Isaac of Nineveh/Isaac the Syrian. He was undoubtedly a member of the heretical Nestorian confession ("Church of the East"/"Chaldeans" in India/"Persian Church"/"Assyrian Church"...they've had many names), given his place and time of birth, but his writings spread through monastic circles which greatly admired his piety and asceticism, and they did not find in him traces of the Christological heresy of the Nestorians.

I have to believe that this can also be the case with any number of people stuck in non-Trinitarian cults such as those mentioned in the OP. I do not consider them Christian as groups, as the Church has historically not considered them so either (Trinitarianism is the only acceptable and Orthodox theology that anyone claiming Christianity can hold if they want to be accepted as at least some type of believer; though the details of how they understand it is of course important, so as to avoid polytheism a la Mormonism, or 'Monad-ism' as in Islam or some neo-Judaizing sects, etc., we can also not trick ourselves into believing that we can or ought to understand God perfectly -- we understand what He has revealed, and all the rest is at best speculation), but of course God may save whom He wills.

Orthodox theology is paramount not because the second coming will include a theology quiz, but because it is our Savior's prayer that we know God (John 17:3), and that's pretty hard to do if you are embracing false concepts of Who He is. Meanwhile, in Orthodoxy, theology is the direct action of God in illuminating the minds and filling the souls of His people, such that in the declaration of the faith of the Church in the Coptic Orthodox Agpeya (horologion), it is said that the Holy Spirit teaches us to worship the Holy Trinity. This is not the work of a bunch of smart egghead theologians, but of God Himself, so to deny it is in a very real way to deny God, or at the very least to deny His action in the world in a way that is absolutely unacceptable and against the Christian faith.

(Also, not sure how to fit this in with everything else, but my father was in the Iglesia Ni Cristo cult for a few years while he was married to a Filipina woman who was in it, so I saw their strange beliefs and deceitful tactics up close. They are absolutely insane in terms of their beliefs -- from what I recall, they had some weird Philippines-specific stuff that I don't remember seeing in the Bible at all, ever -- but like anyone else are at least trying to know God. They won't be doing that in the INC, but it is better to nurture a good impulse and work at bringing it away from destructive cults. My father is no longer in the INC. So it is possible to reach people, but it is God doing the reaching! I just watched and prayed, because really what else can anyone do? Anyway, the INC is very much a Philippines-specific restorationist cult like Mormonism; just swap out the white guy for a Filipino guy, the golden plates for some other revelation I can't remember, and bam -- new 'only true Church'! No thank you. Ayaw ko!/I don't want it!)

Andrewn said:

Oneness Pentecostals, LDS, and JW are major non-Trinitarian groups. Are there other significant non-Trinitarians? Can non-Trinitarians be saved?

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Jesus is the Saviour and in order to be saved we need to believe in Him. Seeing as Jesus is the second person of the trinity, then yes, we need to believe in the Trinity.

Everyone has a unique testimony and way of looking at the Bible. We all may want to caution non-Trinitarians and pray for them, but the way of salvation is simple...

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Romans 10:8-10

The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. - 2 Timothy 2:19

The essence of the Father is Truth, the Holy Spirit is Love, and Jesus Christ is Faith.
Those in absolute Faith, will Love the Truth, with all their heart, mind, and soul. In doing so, they are immersed with God, with the essence of the Trinity.

Only God knows who will and who will not be saved.

Remember the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Paul himself declares this as a great mystery....

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

With a great mystery (which is defined as something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain) comes many ways of looking on the matter. I would prefer someone be a trinitarian and I would tell them that it is better to be that way. But I would not go as far as saying they are not saved.

Andrewn said:

...Can non-Trinitarians be saved?

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Bible doesn’t have word Trinity and Jesus didn’t put that belief as criteria for salvation or eternal life. Criteria for eternal life is righteousness, person must be righteous to have it.

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Mat. 25:46

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Andrewn said:

Oneness Pentecostals, LDS, and JW are major non-Trinitarian groups. Are there other significant non-Trinitarians? Can non-Trinitarians be saved?

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All that is necessary to be saved is to place your trust in the death, burial and physical resurrection of Jesus as the full payment of your sin.

Learning doctrine comes after. If they die before accepting the Trinity- they are still saved.

lsume said:

Interesting question considering that it’s 100% the purview of God. He Tells us that all of His children will be taught directly by Him. When that happens you will understand things differently than you currently do.

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He also told us that there will be Tares [Matthew 13] that will "have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof" [2 Timothy 3:1-7].

I trust Jesus to judge rightly between yours & these.

bekkilyn said:

I believe God will save anyone who wishes to be saved, regardless of church doctrine or whatever form of institutional religion they profess. One cannot truly reject what one knows little to nothing about, but there will come a time when ALL will know the truth of God and every eye shall see and every knee shall bow and yet perhaps there would still be those who choose to reject him.

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Christ said "if you were blind you would have no sin. You see you see your sin remains". And do not we all here KNOW what we believe is the REAL truth? I think the way we share the truth vs how the 12 (with Paul) did it. Like.. "what GROUP Denomination are you with"? Be ..what? It was Christ..

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

This is an instance where I think the spirit of the law trumps the letter of the law. I doubt there's a penalty for not thoroughly grasping the concept. The Trinity can be hard for even theologians to articulate.

I also think it mostly comes down to the individual's relationship with God, regardless of denomination.

Oneness Pentecostals actually believe in The Divinity of The Lord Jesus Christ so I think it's easier to bring them over to Orthodox Christian doctrines (In My Opinion).


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Andrewn said:

Oneness Pentecostals, LDS, and JW are major non-Trinitarian groups. Are there other significant non-Trinitarians? Can non-Trinitarians be saved?

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God judges each ones individual heart, and any other kinds of "individual responsibilities", etc, to say, correct or incorrect doctrine or truths, etc, and/or any "other factors", etc, always, etc...

And that is the only kind of answer I can ever give when it comes to anyone's individual salvation, or this or that person or individual being saved or not saved, or anything like it, etc...

God does not save groups but individuals...

God Bless!