The Spirit Of Truth And The Spirit Of Error: Unitarian Universalism 1 John 4:6

6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:6, KJV

Unitarian Universalism - History Solomon’s statement that there is “nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) is certainly true for the cult known as Unitarianism. Early forerunners of Unitarianism began to appear as early as the third century, in the form of the Monarchists. They believed that God is one, and cannot manifest Himself in three persons. This flat denial of the Trinity would prove to be an identifying characteristic.

Unitarian Universalism - History In the fourth century, a Greek scholar named Arius came to prominence, bringing the same teaching with him. This caused such a stir that the Roman emperor Constantine called a church council to clarify the church’s teaching on the Trinity. The result of that council was the Nicene Creed, which gives us a great, historical statement concerning the Trinity.

Unitarian Universalism - History Despite the Nicene Creed, the poison of Unitarianism has continued to infect the bloodstream of the church. Unitarian “churches” were popular in Poland in the sixteenth century, and were popular in England during the reign of King James I. In America, Unitarianism arose in response to the Calvinism and Congregational churches of New England.

Unitarian Universalism - History During the eighteenth century, Unitarianism gained two great leaders: Jonathon Mayhew and Charles Chauncey. They were involved in the leadership of Harvard College and helped change Harvard from its original Christian position to Unitarianism. There are several groups within the UU movement. One was led by poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. Today, these groups loosely unite under the Unitarian Universalist Association, founded 1961.

Unitarian Universalism - Overview Unitarians do not believe that the Bible is God’s Word. Thus, they deny all Christian doctrines derived from it. Unitarians do not believe that God is a person. They believe He is a Force, a Prime Mover, or even dead. They think of Jesus as a mere man and no more. He may have been exceptional, like Moses or Buddha, but no more than a man.

Unitarian Universalism - Overview Unitarian doctrine, what little there is, changes constantly. Dana McClean Greely stated it this way: “Unitarians are changing all the time. We are not bound by adherence to a particular book – the Bible – a a particular person – even Jesus.” Unitarians do not believe that man should look to God for salvation. UU minister Carl Chorowski stated that the Christian Gospel was “offensive, unbiblical, and even immoral.”

Unitarian Universalism - Overview From a Unitarian viewpoint, there is no heaven or hell. Living a good life is self-validating, and Unitarians are not motivated by fear of punishment or promise of reward. Unitarian Universalists believe that God is too good to condemn mankind, that that mankind to too good to deserve condemnation. Unitarian Universalism is really just another name for Humanism.

The Godhead The Bible teaches that there is one God, existing in three Persons simultaneously. Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19 UU believe that God, whoever He or She or It is, is anything but a Trinity of three Persons. An impersonal “force” would be a common UU description of God.

Jesus Christ The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is God, the second Person of the Godhead, Savior of the world, and that He was raised from the dead bodily. John 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:17 UU believe that Jesus was only a man; a teacher no greater than Mohammed, Buddha, or any of history’s other influential men and women.

The Holy Spirit The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, equal in deity with the Father and the Son. Acts 5:3-4; Romans 8:9 UU believe that God is not a Person or Persons.

Sin The Bible teaches that sin is the transgressing of God’s law, and that all have done so. 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23 UU believe that people are essentially good. They must do their best to follow the “Golden Rule,” as doing good to people is the highest form of service.

Redemption The Bible teaches that we are redeemed or bought back from sin by the shedding of Christ’s perfect blood on the cross. Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19 UU believe find the concept of salvation through the shed blood of Christ repulsive and insulting. They flatly deny that the crucifixion was able to accomplish anything for anyone other than Jesus, for whom is accomplished His sad demise.

Salvation The Bible teaches that all who call upon Christ in faith will be saved. This salvation is accomplished through His sacrifice plus nothing. John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9 UU believe that people, being essentially good, are able to save themself by being good and improving themself – known as “Redemption of Character.”

Retribution The Bible teaches that the wages of sin is spiritual death in a literal, burning hell. Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 UU believe that this life is all that there is – and flatly deny a belief in heaven or hell.

So What’s the Bottom Line? Be a good person, do your best, and believe whatever you choose to believe. The UU church offers a place where all belief systems are held up as equally valid.