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2 Peter 1:1 says
"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours" (Berean Study Bible)
Similarly, Titus 2:13 says
"as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." (Berean Study Bible)
How do Biblical Unitarians respond to these passages?
A proof text is a passage of scripture presented as proof for a theological doctrine, belief, or principle.[1] Prooftexting (sometimes "proof-texting" or "proof texting") is the practice of using quotations from a document, either for the purpose of exegesis, or to establish a proposition in eisegesis (introducing one's own presuppositions, agendas, or biases). Such quotes may not accurately reflect the original intent of the author... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prooftext
Biblical Unitarians don't need to proof-text to explain God or His son Jesus. When the bible is considered as a whole, consistent narrative, inspired by God and delivered by several writers in concert, the message becomes very clear.
Several ideas are based on proof-texts that have no clear and persistent biblical revelation, and on extra-biblical sources like creeds formulated 100's of years after the Apostolic Church Fathers.
These ideas, while readily dismissed by context and honest appraisal of the scriptures, remain the foundation to extend beliefs found in traditional teaching. That they are readily dismissed seems irrelevant by those adhering to a traditional belief.
How do Biblical Unitarians respond to passages like 2 Peter 1:1 and Titus 2:13, which seem to call Jesus 'God'?
The response is to show that these verses are used in isolation and do not represent the entire narrative.
The amount of time the NT points out that Jesus has a God, that he is not the 'one true God', Jesus, Paul and others, refer to often far outweighs the two or three verses that seem to say otherwise. What choice do we have in this scenario?
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those having obtained a faith equally precious with ours, through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: 2Pet 1:1
In the very next verse shows the distinct separation of God from Jesus - as Paul does in every letter he writes. Did he think Jesus was God? Not remotely possible based on what he has written. Do any other writers or Jesus himself? No, again.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. v2
Jesus HAS a God - always did - still does! Does God have a God? Extrabiblical writings might say so, but the bible does not. Which one should a Christian choose as the basis for determining good doctrine? Biblical Unitarians know to choose the bible and seek out good and well-supported beliefs.
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus Titus 2:13
Proof-texters seem not to notice the glaring, persistent wording in the actual verse.
Jesus is the glory of God and he will be appearing - this is what Paul is looking for - Jesus. Jesus is the glory of God and he will be appearing and Paul is encouraging us to wait eagerly, expectantly!
The son is the radiance of God's glory and the representation of His nature Heb 1:3
to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen. Rom 16:27
every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:11
Yes, to the untrained eye, these verses may seem to be 'calling Jesus God'. If we are grabbing at proof-texts' without so much as reading them in context or including them with other verses, then we will jump to poor conclusions and miss out on the abundant truth God has provided about Himself and His son.
Content principles from https://www.biblicalunitarian.com/
