This site is dedicated to refuting popular notions of Christ being an incarnation of a pre-existent being. This includes Trinitarian and Arian doctrines of a literal preexistence. The articles below address key concepts and common proof texts used to advocate that Jesus existed as a conscious being prior to becoming a man. Such a Christology is inconsistent with Scripture, it distorts the message of the Gospel, and undermines the humanity of Christ.
Colossians 1:16-17 is best understood in reference to the clues provided by the closely related book of Ephesians. “In Christ” pertains to foreknowledge of God in what he intended to achieve through Christ.
Much Scripture attests that Christ preexisted in a prophetic sense or notional sense. Jesus was a prophetic reality before becoming an actualized one.
Many passages in the New Testament indicate that in a similar sense to Christ’s preexistence, the church existed in a prophetic or notional sense.
The Word (Logos) is an abstract noun that pertains to the aspect of God’s wisdom including his logic, reasoning, intentions, plan, or purpose for humanity.
John 17:5 is a common proof text for Trinitarians and Arians who believe that Jesus had a literal preexistence. The context indicates a different meaning.
Several passages in John seem to indicate preexistence or incarnation. An explanation of these “difficult passages” is provided from the REV commentary.
Philippians 2:6-7 is typically translated with a traditional bias that prejudices the reader into reading incarnation into the passage.
Hebrews 1 is speaking about the world to come (the New Creation). Various verses are translated with a bias to suggest Christ participated in the original creation.
There are multiple explanations for the plural “our” without necessitating a doctrine of preexistence. Extensive support is provided for the plural of Majesty.
This article explains and refutes the literal preexistence interpretation of various other preexistence proof texts not addressed in previous articles on the site.
Preexistence Christology is inconsistent with Scripture, it distorts the message of the Gospel, and undermines the humanity of Christ.
