What is Unitarianism?
Unitarianism is the belief that God exists in one person, not three. It is a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity as well as the full divinity of Jesus. Therefore, it is not Christian. There are several groups that fall under this umbrella: Jehovah's Witnesses, Christadelphianism, The Way International, etc. Another term for this type of belief is called monarchianism.
In the context of universalism, the Unitarianism discussed here is that belief that denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, eternal punishment, and the vicarious atonement of Jesus. Unitarian universalists use many biblical concepts and terms but with non-biblical meanings. Unitarianism is not Christian.
There is a group known as the Unitarian Universalists Association. This denomination which was formed in 1961 in the United States when the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged. Its membership is around 175,000.
The General Convention of the Unitarian Universalists formulated the five principles of the Universalist Faith in 1899.
- The Universal Fatherhood of God
- The spiritual authority and leadership of His Son Jesus Christ
- The trustworthiness of the Bible as containing a revelation from God
- The certainty of just retribution for sin
- The final harmony of all souls with God
Additional beliefs generally held by Unitarian Universalists are:
- Salvation is by grace through faith and not by works in any way.
- Jesus became the Son of God at His baptism.
- The Holy Spirit is not a person, does not have a will, etc.
- There now is and will be rewards and punishments according to one's actions but this does not consist of the traditional doctrine of hell.
- Human reason and experience should be the final authority in determining spiritual truth.
This last point, "Human reason and experience should be the final authority in determining spiritual truth," is perhaps the most revealing of the character of Unitarian Universalists. Instead of God and his word being the final authority on truth and error, or right and wrong, Unitarian Universalists subject God and his word to their understanding, feeling, and reason. This is exemplified in the following quote obtain from the official Unitarian Universalist website at http://uua.org/. This was found under the heading Unitarian Universalists say:
- "I want a religion that respects the differences between people and affirms every person as an individual."
- "I want a church that values children, that welcomes them on their own terms—a church they are eager to attend on Sunday morning."
- "I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages open dialogue on questions of faith, one in which it is okay to change your mind."
- "I want a religious community that affirms spiritual exploration and reason as ways of finding truth."
- "I want a church that acts locally and thinks globally on the great issues of our time—world peace; women's rights; racial justice; homelessness; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights; and protection of the environment."
Notice that each of the five statements begins with "I want..." This is not the humble attitude of one indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. It is not the attitude of one who wants to put God first.
It can plainly be seen that this is a religion based upon personal hopes and desires and not upon the the Bible.
I cannot help but think of the five "I will's" listed in Isaiah 14:13-14:
"But you said in your heart,
I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’
Many commentators believe that these five "I wills" were uttered by Satan as he sought to be exalted and equal to God. They reflect the arrogance of the evil one as his heart was filled with pride and put his own will before God's. He had his desires before God's.
But notice what Isaiah says in the next verse:
"Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit."
Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks," (Matt. 12:34). We can see that the Unitarian Universalists speak first from their own desires, according to their own wisdom, and not according to the wisdom of God. What does God say about this?
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God," ( 1 Cor. 3:19).
