What Is Unitarianism?

What Is Unitarianism?

A look at what they believe and teach.

By DORIS BATCHELDER, Dean of Women, Atlantic Union College

UNITARIANISM.—a system of Christian thought and religious observance, deriving its name from its doctrine of the single personality of God the Father, in contrast with the Trini­tarian conception of His threefold being as Fa­ther, Son, and Holy Ghost. Frothingham, in his book Boston Unitarianism, says: "It calls itself Unitarian simply because that name sug­gests freedom and breadth and progress and elasticity and joy. Another name might do as well, perhaps be more accurately descriptive. But no other would be so impressive on the world, so honorable."

I. FOUNDER OF UNITARIANISM.

John Biddle—father and martyr of Eng­lish Unitarianism in 1615. His confession of faith

1. There is but one divine essence.

2. God in this highest sense exists in but one Person.

II. UNITARIANISM IN NEW ENGLAND.

a. Great Awakening of 5735. 

b. First Unitarian church—King's Chapel in Boston 1785.

c. Dr. Channing's famous sermon.

1. Deals with unreason of Trinity.
 
2. Sets forth confusion of thought in­duced by metaphysics of Christ's double nature.
 
3. Charges moral paradox by alleged conflict of justice and mercy in di­vine nature.
 
4. Dwells upon moral enormity of a view of the atonement which only exasperates and heightens the sup­posed conflict it claims to recon­cile.
 
5. The true nature of salvation is set forth as a moral or spiritual condi­tion of the soul itself, and this is contrasted with the arbitrary "im­putation" of another's righteous­ness.

d. Dr. Lyman Beecher's testimony—"In 1823 all the literary men of Massa­chusetts were Unitarian. All the trus­tees and professors of Harvard were Unitarian."

III. UNITARIANISM'S TWOFOLD TRADITION. Demand for personal religious freedom.

a. Large number of Unitarian churches began with ejection of 1662.

b. Act of Uniformity ejected 2,000 clergymen.

c. Demand for clear, distinct, and coher­ent religious thought and teaching.

IV. PERIODS OF UNITARIAN THOUGHT IN AMERICA.

a. Formative-1810-1835.

Semisupernatural, imperfectly ration­alistic. Dr. Channing—the exponent.

b. Period influenced by German idealism 1835-1885.

Increasingly rationalistic. Theology flavored by mysticism. exponents—Emerson and Theodore Parker.

c. Period of rationalism—I885 and on­ward.

Recognition of universal religion, large acceptance of scientific methods and ideas, and an ethical attempt to realize higher affirmations of Chris­tianity. This period marked by har­mony and unity and widening fellow­ship with all other progressive phases of modern religion. "Unitarians no longer find the seat of their authority within the pages of the best and broadest of books, but in religious history and experience, interpreted by the reason and conscience of man­kind."

V. PRESENT ORGANIZATION.

a. International Congress of Free Chris­tians and other religious liberals.

b. American Unitarian Association.

c. National Conference.

d. Twenty-five local conferences.

e. Five "Alliances."

Bodies of women organized for Chris­tian work.

f. Thirty-two organizations formed for special objects, under the names of "club," "guild," and "association."

VI. MISSIONARY ENDEAVORS AND SCHOOLS.

a. Help for humanitarian work.

b. Unitarian college in Transylvania.

c. Missionary work of instruction in Japan.

d. Missionary work in Calcutta.

e. Provision for divinity school at Cam­bridge.

f. Pacific Unitarian school in Berkeley.

g. Tuckerman school in Boston.

h. Meadville Theological School in Pennsylvania.

VII. UNITARIAN PERIODICALS.

a.   The Christian Register.

b.   Unity,

c.    Pacific Unitarianism.

VIII. WELL-KNOWN UNITARIAN LEADERS. Dr. Gannett, Dr. Putnam, Dr. Bellows, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Dr. Channing, James Freeman Clarke, Edward Everett Hale, Charles W. Eliot.

IX. ORGANIZATION.

a. Headquarters—American Unitarian Association—Boston.

b. Number of churches-422 with 491 ministers. C. U.S. Membership in 1927-131,912.

X. UNITARIANISM'S CHALLENGE TO US. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. :16.

"For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." I Cor. 2:2.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

By DORIS BATCHELDER, Dean of Women, Atlantic Union College

May 1947

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Calendar Reform in Congress

Two bills have been introduced into Con­gress pressing for the adoption of blank-day calendars to go into effect January 1, 1950.

Onward in Antillian Union

A look at the strong enthusiastic emphasis for public evangelism as well as to lay evange­lism.

Reaching Neglected Villages and Towns

How shall we reach the small towns and villages with populations from five to fifty thousand—places where a regular effort is not likely to be held?

That Great City"

In the symbolic prophecies of Revelation we easily recognize the city of Rome as "that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth."

Scientific Evidences of the Flood

In approaching study of earth's past history, we should do so in the spirit of a coroner holding an inquest.

The Unitarian Church

Our continued look at various religions and denominations.

Cooperating With the Pastor

If we expect the successful working of the Holy Spirit in a campaign, is it not essential that pastor and evangelist go forward hand in hand in harmony?

British Evangelism During War

Whether it be war or peace our watch­word in Great Britain is "Evangelize."

Voice of Prophecy in Africa

Modern inventions have placed in our hands two mediums of rapid dissemina­tion of thought to the masses ot mankind—the public press and the radio.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up

Recent issues

See All