Unitarianism Defined: Antiquity and the History of Unitarianism

It is very frequently said, probably by those who are unaccustomed to this sort of investigation believed, that Unitarianism is of very recent origin, a very modem doctrine. But I affirm and hope to show that, on the contrary, it is very ancient; nay, the ancient, original, primitive Christianity—the Christianity of Christ. We claim to be Christians; not out of the Church, but in and of the Church, by virtue of holding the original faith of the Saviour and his Apostles. No Protestant, indeed, of any school or denomination, should be satisfied with believing any thing less of the antiquity of his own faith as attested by the Scriptures. A Romanist consistently may. The resort of Tradition and the Custody of the Church are open to him; and though an alleged doctrine be not patent on the face of Scripture, be not by mortals discoverable there, enough for him that in the wisdom of the Saviour it was deemed fit not to publish it so early, but to leave its keeping and transmission to the Church.

Hence we say, that it is not sufficient merely to prove our views to be ancient; it is not the most important thing. They must be shown to be identical with, nay, the very and express teaching of Christ and of his Apostles. They must he throughout Scriptural; squaring with Scripture in all their statements; and this is what I have aimed at showing Unitarianism to be. I know not a point which is peculiar to Unitarianism, or serves to distinguish it from the popular theology, which cannot be expressly stated in the recorded words of the New Testament. Not so with Orthodoxy. Not a Creed in Christendom which expresses its peculiarities is, or possibly can be, stated in the language of Scripture. Attempt to state those peculiarities in that language, and agree to hold by the statement when done, and you will soon find yourself committed to simple, unqualified Unitarianism.

For what, exactly stated, is Christian Unitarianism, but belief in the strict, personal Unity of God; in One God, the Father—the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Whoever, therefore, accrediting at the same time the special Divine Mission and Authority of Christ, believes that, is a Unitarian Christian. But all Christians agree in holding the Unity of God. True. But, in our view, the Unity is strictly, really, simply Unity; nothing more, nothing less: while in the Trinitarian view it is something more, something else, namely,—a Trinity in Unity, a Unity in Trinity. In this view the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Ghost is God; in our view the Father alone is God. Hence the controversy. Again: all Christians agree that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We hold to that, and stop there. But Trinitarians, moreover hold, that he is, nevertheless, very and eternal God; one of three co-equal, co-eternal persons in a Divine Trinity. Hence, in another regard, the controversy. Therefore, the work before us is this; to show, that neither the doctrine of the Trinity as stated in any of the professedly Trinitarian Creeds of Christendom, nor that of the proper Deity or Godhead of Christ, was taught by Christ or by his Apostles, or held by the primitive, catholic or universal Church.

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Author: Frederick A. Farley

Keywords: Subordinate, subordination, subordination of Jesus, subordination of Christ, Consubstantiality, Consubstantial, Homoiousian, Homoousian, Homoousion, Socinian, Socinianism, Servetus, Arianism, Unitarianism, Unitarian, monotheism, monotheist, one God, One God the Father, One Jesus Christ, Logos, Word made flesh, Jesus is the Word, trinitarianism, Tri-unity, Jesus is God, God the Son, hypostasis, Trinity, Trinitarian, Deity of Christ, Deity of Jesus, Triunity, Arian, Three in one, Three gods, Three gods one person, False doctrine, False teaching, Arius, Arias, Nicene Creed, Nicaea, Nicea, Athanasian Creed, Athanasius, Father son holy spirit, Father son holy ghost, Triune, Three persons in one God, eternal sonship, god manifest in the flesh, God incarnate, incarnation, God made flesh, God manifestation, eternal son, eternal son of God, Christology, Christologies, Binitarian, Binitarianism, First Council of Nicaea, Nicean Creed, Polish Brethren, Fausto Sozzini, Faustus Socinus, Socinus, Socinius, Racovian, Racovian Catechism, Anti trinitarian, Non trinitarian, Unity of God, Trinity is unscriptural, Trinity false teaching, Socinian

Bible reference(s): Gen 1:26, Gen 11:7, Deu 6:4, Isaiah 9:6, Isa 6:3, Matthew 28:19, Mark 8:27, Mark 8:29, Mark 12:29, Mark 12:32, John 1:1-14, John 1:18, Joh 5:18, John 8:58, Joh 10:30, Joh 14:28, Joh 17:3, John 17:22, Joh 20:28, 1Co 8:4, 1Co 8:6, Phi 2:6, Eph 4:6, 1 Tim 2:5, 1 Tim 3:16, Heb 1:2, Heb 1:8-9, 1 John 5:7-8, Rev 1:8, Rev 4:8

Source: Unitarianism Defined (Boston: Walker, Wise & Co., 1935).

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