|
Socinianism.
A heresy concerning the nature of
God. It is derived from two brothers of the surname Sozinni who
lived in the 1500's in Poland. Socinianism denies the doctrine of
the Trinity claiming it denies the simplicity of God's unity.
Instead, God is a single person with the Holy Spirit as the power of God.
Since it emphasizes the unity of God, there could be no divine and human
union in a single person as Christ. Therefore, Socinianism denies
the incarnation and deity of Christ as well as Christ's pre-existence.
It teaches that Jesus was only a man. However, as is separate from
the unitarians, it taught that Jesus was a deified man and was to be
adored as such. Nevertheless, since Jesus is not divine by nature,
His sacrifice was not efficacious; that is, it did not result in the
redemption of people who would trust in it. Instead it was an
example of self sacrifice. The followers of Socinianism also
rejected infant baptism, hell, and taught the annihilation of the wicked.
The Bible was authoritative but was only properly understood through
rationalism.
Of course, this system of belief is wrong since
it denies the doctrine of the Trinity
and deity of Christ.
Return to Heresies
|