Socinianism

Socinianism

Socinianism is a form of Antitrinitarianism, named for Laelius Socinus (died 1562 in Zürich) and of his nephew Faustus Socinus (died 1604 in Poland).

Origins

Socinianism was developed around the time of the Protestant Reformation. Lelio Sozzini was one of the founders of a religious society that had to operate secretly in order to avoid persecution. The Socinian sect became far more widespread after Faustus Socinus, Laelius Socinus's nephew, became a valued member. In 1574 the Socinians, who referred to themselves as Unitarians, issued a "Catechism of the Unitarians," in which they laid out their views of the nature and perfection of the Godhead, as well as other principles of their group.

The group became more widely known in Poland and began to prosper, opening colleges and publishing literature, until 1638, when the Socinians were banished from Poland by the Catholics. Until that time it was widely believed that Socinianism would become a dominant belief in Europe.Fact|date=February 2008

The Socinians congregated especially in Transylvania, in Poland (see Polish brethren) and in the Netherlands (Mennonite). They were driven from their seat at Raków in 1643.

Beliefs

Socinians held views rooted in skepticism [cite web |url=http://www.tecmalta.org/tft365.htm |title=Socinianism refuted |accessdate=2008-10-06 |work=Truth for Today |first=Paul |last=MizziVerify credibility|date=October 2008] and rationality only and rejected orthodox teachings on the Trinity and on the divinity of Jesus, as summarised in the Racovian Catechism. They also believed that God's omniscience was limited to what was a necessary truth in the future (what would "definitely" happen), and did not apply to what was a contingent truth (what "might" happen). They believed that, if God knew every possible future, human free will was impossible; and as such rejected the "hard" view of omniscience. They are to be differentiated from Arians, who believed in a preexistent Christ. The Socinians held that the Son of God did not exist until he was born a man.

The soteriology of Socinianism rejects the propitiatory view of atonement.

Offshoots of Socinians

Socinianism is considered to be an antecedent or early form of Unitarianism and the term 'socinian' is still used today to refer to the belief that Jesus did not preexist his life as a human.

Note: In Christianity, Socinianism is also called Psilanthropism, the presumed etymology of "psilanthropism" stems from the Greek psilo (merely, only) and anthropos (man, human being).

Psilanthropism was rejected by the ecumenical councils, especially in the First Council of Nicaea, which was convened to deal directly with this. Beliefs similar to those of Socinianism continue today in Christian groups such as the Christadelphians and the Church of the Blessed Hope.

See also

* Polish Brethren

References

External links

*cite encyclopedia |last=Hugh |first=Pope |encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia |title=Socinianism |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14113a.htm |accessdate=2008-10-06 |year=1912 |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |volume=14 |location=New York City


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  • Socinianism — • The body of doctrine held by one of the numerous Antitrinitarian sects to which the Reformation gave birth Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Socinianism     Socinianism      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Socinianism —    Socinianism was an anti Trinitarian movement that emerged during the 16th century Reformation. Its name derived from the two Italian reformers who helped define it, Lelius Socinius (1526 62) and his nephew, Faustus Socinius (1539 1604), both… …   Encyclopedia of Protestantism

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  • Socinianism — So*cin i*an*ism, n. (Eccl. Hist.) The tenets or doctrines of Faustus Socinus, an Italian theologian of the sixteenth century, who denied the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personality of the Devil, the native and total depravity of man, the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Socinianism — [sō sin′ē ən iz΄əm] n. the teachings of Faustus Socinus (1539 1604), It. rationalistic religious reformer, denying the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, etc., and holding that salvation is attained solely by practicing the virtues exemplified by… …   Universalium

  • Socinianism — [sō sin′ē ən iz΄əm] n. the teachings of Faustus Socinus (1539 1604), It. rationalistic religious reformer, denying the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, etc., and holding that salvation is attained solely by practicing the virtues exemplified by… …   English World dictionary

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  • SOCINIANISM —    a RATIONALISTIC THEOLOGY which regards the BIBLE as REVELATION but argues that it contains nothing contrary to REASON and denies BELIEF in the SACRAMENTS of the CHURCH, the TRINITY, deity of CHRIST, ORIGINAL SIN, VICARIOUS ATONEMENT and… …   Concise dictionary of Religion

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  • socinianism — so·cin·i·an·ism …   English syllables

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