Against Unitarian Socinianism ______________________________ How can Deity denying Unitarians and…

Against Unitarian Socinianism
______________________________

How can Deity denying Unitarians and Arians and Jehovah’s Witnesses say that they were the first Unitarians, when they do not pass the test of Historical Critical Scholarship?

“The first Unitarians were the Monarchians, a prominent group in the early Church from the middle of the second century to the end of the third, who believed there is no such thing as the trinity”.
-Fritz Ridenour, So What’s the Difference, Regal 2001, p205

The Monarchians were the first Unitarians and the Unitarian Socinians were excommunicated by the Church in all forms of their development.

“And how is it that they are not ashamed to speak thus falsely of Victor, knowing well that he cut off from communion Theodotus, the leather-worker, the leader and father of this God-denying apostasy, and the first to declare that Christ is mere man.”
-Hippolytus, as quoted by Eusebius, The Little Labyrinth, Hist. Ec., V, 28.

Bishop Victor excommunicated the Unitarians in the late 2nd Century. The Unitarians DENIED the Deity of Christ.
-Ref: History of the Christian Church, Vol. 1,
Dr. Phillip Schaff, 19th Century Historian.

Here we find a Monarchian Bishop excommunicating the first Unitarian. If the Monarchians were in power at the time Unitarianism began, the Unitarians cannot claim Apostolic succession nor doctrinal continuity.

We also find later in the 3rd century another Bishop, who was Monarchian, and he excommunicated the Unitarians as well.

Bishop Zephyrinus excommunicated the Unitarians in the early 3rd Century. The Unitarians DENIED the Deity of Christ.
-Ref: History of the Christian Church, Vol. 1,
Dr. Phillip Schaff, 19th Century Historian

Conclusion
____________

Though Unitarianism is an ancient movement, it is an apostasy from Modalistic Monarchianism which was the standard Christian faith in ante-Nicene times.

Bishops were always Monarchian, especially in Rome until the middle 3rd century.

Recent attempts to legitimize Unitarianism in modern times include organizations formed in the United States, publications, College papers, social media, etc…

An aggressive falling away has been noted among modern Oneness peoples into the heresy of Unitarianism. Most are being led into Unitarian thinking unknowingly by their Pastors who ascribe to the idea.

This way of thinking denies the full independent Deity of Jesus Christ. Hence why this construct was always rejected by the official Bishops.

In response, under the leadership of Mark August, a cooperation against Unitarianism between Oneness and Trinitarians was organized on social media. The efforts of this group, especially those of Mr. August and Mr. Steven Ritchie, have proved to discredit the modern Unitarian Socinian movement.

Learn more about the difference between Modalistic Monarchianism and Unitarian Socinianism here on our Youtube Channel:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”–Titus 2:13

mark august
writing for
Academy of Christian
Theological Studies
A.C.T.S. Think-Tank
acts2216.org
“Bridging the Gap Between
Oneness and Trinitarianism”