How do Biblical Unitarians, who deny the Son's pre-existence, understand Hebrews 1:2's "through whom He made the universe"?
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The immediate time scope is "in these last days" (in contrast to the "past" with "prophets"), and the term translated 'universe' is incorrect - it should instead by translated 'ages'.
As Biblical Unitarian Pastor Jeff Deuble writes in Christ Before Creeds (p. 168),
In verse 2, we read that through Jesus, God (literally) "made the ages" (aionas). Many versions translate this phrase as "created the universe," even though this rendering is without literary precedent. In the Bible, the Greek word aion never refers to the material creation. On the contrary, it is a spiritual concept.
He continues,
There are two principal ages in salvation history - this age and the age to come - both converging and diverging at the pivotal point of the arrival of the Messiah (Marr. 12:32; Eph. 1:21). These correspond to the two covenants which are discussed at length later in the letter to the Hebrews: the "first covenant" and the "new covenant" (Heb. 8:7-8). Yahweh is the king of the ages (1 Tim. 1:17), who initiates and fulfills, through Christ, his eternal plan of salvation for mankind.
He concludes
Note that Jesus is the "appointed" heir (not the inherent one), with an "inherited" name and conferred position (v. 4) - the agent "through whom" God is bring about his new creation. This accords beautifully with Paul's statements in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 and Colossians 1:14-18[.]
In summary, Hebrews 1:2 should properly be understood as "through whom God has given form to this age and the age to come."
Also see the Biblical Unitarian REV commentary on this passage, here.
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