Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 9/19/2007

Question
Hello...a statement was made to me last Sunday at an Episcopalian church.  A member said to me, "Catholics, Lutherans and Episcopalians are the only Trinitarians".
I don't believe that is an accurate statement.  I think most Christian churches no matter what their denomination believe in the doctrine of the Trinity.   Unless this man meant something more when he said this to me.  
Was his statement true?   I grew up Baptist and have travelled around to many churches denominations in the last ten years.   I have found it to be educational.  Also, I have done alot of reading.   That is why I think he is in error.   Anyway, I wondered what your opinion is about this?
Thankyou,


Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

If I have the context correctly, you would be right.  All Protestants as far as I know are Trinitarians.  

The word Trinitarian means someone who believes in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one being with different natures.  We do not believe the Son or the Spirit were created but have always existed.  

Non-Trinitarians include Binitarianism (two deities/persons/aspects), Unitarianism (one deity/person/aspect), the Godhead (Latter Day Saints) (three separate beings) and Modalism (Oneness).  We see this belief in the Mormons, the Arians, and some Universalists.