Heresy 101: Arianism

The heresy of Arianism is the notion that Jesus Christ is not equal to God the Father by nature; instead, Jesus is God's first creation.

Arius, the founder of Arianism, died in 336 A.D., yet his ideas and false teachings are still around today. They have negatively impacted the early Church causing it to define orthodoxy with numerous creeds.

This impact is still around today in groups such as Jehova's Witnesses. As a result of their convictions, these modern-day Arians produce several Biblical arguments to support their contention that Jesus is not God. Though Arianism is false biblically, its doctrines force the Church throughout all generations to define what scripture teaches regarding the person and nature of Christ.

Jehovah's Witnesses: The Modern-Day Arians

Despite the best efforts of the Orthodox Church to stamp out Arianism, there are branches of the belief that continue to this day. One of them is the Jehovah's Witnesses. Founded in the mid- to late-nineteenth century by Charles Taze Russell, this group contains several million adherents in numerous countries. Like the ancient Arians, these modern-day Witnesses believe that Jesus is a created being who is, therefore, not eternal and not God. Furthermore, they specifically argue that Jesus was Michael the Archangel. However, examining a number of Scriptures, their contentions do not hold up.

As with most heresies, they attack the true nature of Jesus and His role in the Trinity. Despite the best efforts of the Witnesses, there is no Biblical support for the contention that Jesus is inferior to God the Father.