Are Unitarians Christians?

[Feedmysheep]

If you haven’t read about the shooter in Tennessee, here’s the link:
foxnews.com/story/0,2933,392081,00.html

My question is this- the guy allegedly hated Christians. Are Unitarians even Christian?

1. They deny the Trinity
2. They deny the divinity of Christ

Does this make them even nominal Christians?

On the surface, I understand that a person who’s going to open fire in a group of children putting on a play isn’t concerned with the finer nuances of theology, and he’s not really the topic of this thread.

But even wikipedia bills Unitarians as Christians.

Am I missing something here?

 

[BrianH]

If you haven’t read about the shooter in Tennessee, here’s the link:
foxnews.com/story/0,2933,392081,00.html

My question is this- the guy allegedly hated Christians. Are Unitarians even Christian?

1. They deny the Trinity
2. They deny the divinity of Christ

Does this make them even nominal Christians?

On the surface, I understand that a person who’s going to open fire in a group of children putting on a play isn’t concerned with the finer nuances of theology, and he’s not really the topic of this thread.

But even wikipedia bills Unitarians as Christians.

Am I missing something here?

Around 10 percent self identify as such; a percentage that would be much higher a hundred years ago.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Unitarians. The people showed great bravery.

 

[elvisman]

If you haven’t read about the shooter in Tennessee, here’s the link:
foxnews.com/story/0,2933,392081,00.html

My question is this- the guy allegedly hated Christians. Are Unitarians even Christian?

1. They deny the Trinity
2. They deny the divinity of Christ

Does this make them even nominal Christians?

On the surface, I understand that a person who’s going to open fire in a group of children putting on a play isn’t concerned with the finer nuances of theology, and he’s not really the topic of this thread.

But even wikipedia bills Unitarians as Christians.

Am I missing something here?

To be a Christian one must be baptized. For one to be validly baptized, it must be done using the Trinitarian formula:
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
Using this formula and taking into consideration that it is rejected by the Unitarian church, it is difficult to imagine that they would be considered “Christians”.

That being said, you could take the Eucharist into consideration and cancel out a vast percentage of Protestants who reject it - since it is commanded by Christ.

**As for Wikipedia, I wouldn’t trust it as “gospel truth” since anybody can contribute to it.

**

 

[Feedmysheep]

As for Wikipedia, I wouldn’t trust it as "gospel truth" since anybody can contribute to it.

No, I don’t trust it as any sort of credible source, I was simply citing it as another place that referred to Unitarians as Christians.

Is there any sort of governing body for the Unitarians? Does it refer to itself as Christian?

 

[cath2lic4ever]

No! You need to be a CATHOLIC to be a christian.

 

[elvisman]

No, I don’t trust it as any sort of credible source, I was simply citing it as another place that referred to Unitarians as Christians.

Is there any sort of governing body for the Unitarians? Does it refer to itself as Christian?

**There are people who believe that Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians. **
I agree with you though, that It’s frustrating.:banghead:

 

[Robbinson]

To be a Christian one must be baptized. For one to be validly baptized, it must be done using the Trinitarian formula:
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
Using this formula and taking into consideration that it is rejected by the Unitarian church, it is difficult to imagine that they would be considered “Christians”.

That being said, you could take the Eucharist into consideration and cancel out a vast percentage of Protestants who reject it - since it is commanded by Christ.

As for Wikipedia, I wouldn’t trust it as "gospel truth" since anybody can contribute to it.

This might be the Catholic view (though even in the Catechism you can be Christian/saved if not baptized (babies, for example). I would define Christian as one who has accepted Christ and Lord and Saviour and who believe and accepts in His divinity. I think baptism will naturally follow from this, but I don’t believe that physical Baptism is what saves - rather, baptism of the Holy Spirit (which can occur before or after water baptism).

Thus, unitarians, if they don’t confess Jesus as Lord and saviour would not be Chrisitan. LDS, as they do not accept Christ’s divinity, are not “Christian” (as Christians would define that term). Similarly, JW’s do not suscribe to the divinity of Christ, rather believe him to be an angel.

Blessings.

Brian

 

[ibkc]

Is there any sort of governing body for the Unitarians? Does it refer to itself as Christian?

The Unitarian Universalist Church, which was the church targeted by this shooter, does not identify itself as Christian. It does, however, identify itself as specifically “progressive” or liberal, and that appears to be why this person attacked them.

Prayers for the souls of the dead.

 

[ralphinal]

There are Unitarians who see themselves as such. They may see Jesus as an aspect of God but not a separate person. Now, none of them are Christian as we understand it. Classic Christianity requires one to accept the Trinity. They must also accept a Christ that suffered, died, and rose again for the salvation of the world.

The specific church targeted is not Christian, though they may see Jesus as some form of God.

 

[Feedmysheep]

Yeah, pretty much what I thought- the MSM doesn’t seem much more concerned about the nuances of religion than the shooter did.

 

[elvisman]

This might be the Catholic view (though even in the Catechism you can be Christian/saved if not baptized (babies, for example). I would define Christian as one who has accepted Christ and Lord and Saviour and who believe and accepts in His divinity. I think baptism will naturally follow from this, but I don’t believe that physical Baptism is what saves - rather, baptism of the Holy Spirit (which can occur before or after water baptism).

Thus, unitarians, if they don’t confess Jesus as Lord and saviour would not be Chrisitan. LDS, as they do not accept Christ’s divinity, are not “Christian” (as Christians would define that term). Similarly, JW’s do not suscribe to the divinity of Christ, rather believe him to be an angel.

Blessings.

Brian

Robbinson -
I say this will all due respect and with no animosity - really.
But, whenever I hear somebody say, “I think” or “I feel” they are expressing an opinion - not a doctrine.

First of all, the Catholic Church leaves unbaptized children to God’s mercy, making no guarantees that they are in heaven. It is hard to imagine that an innocent baby wouldn’t go to heaven but I have debated Protestants on this forum who argued that infants can and DO sin! This is contrary to Catholic belief.

**The bible speaks of water Baptism as being necessary for salvation (John 3:5, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38). **
Can you show me where it says you must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or the part about baptism in the Spirit saving you?

Peace.

 

[jblake]

Feedmysheep;:

Are Unitarians even Christian?

1. They deny the Trinity
2. They deny the divinity of Christ

Historically, Unitarians were a Christian denomination. They were strict monothiests, viewing the Trinity as a form of polytheism. The divinity of Christ that was denied, was that he was not separate from God.

Their theology, and understanding of what both God and Jesus are, changed. This change accelerated at the end of the Nineteenth century, which resulted in the mid-twentieth century merger of the Universalists and Unitarians.

There have been some individual congregations that have remained Christian in theology. Not Trinitarians, but none the less Christian.

xan

jonathon

 

[Feedmysheep]

There have been some individual congregations that have remained Christian in theology. Not Trinitarians, but none the less Christian.

hmmmm…I wonder if that’s possible, denying the Trinity, but maintaining “Christian” status.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Around 10 percent self identify as such; a percentage that would be much higher a hundred years ago.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Unitarians. The people showed great bravery.

​

IMHO, holding doctrines, no matter how true, is only ***one ***mark of whether people are or are not Christian; & not even the most important mark. Believing the Blessed Trinity to be three Persons in the Unity of One Nature is not much use if one denies Christ by one’s way of life.

ISTM that a Christian is someone in whose life the Kingship of God is effective (see Mark 1.15: Jesus preached it). Whether one is the Pope, or a militant atheist.

 

[Feedmysheep]

​

IMHO, holding doctrines, no matter how true, is only ***one ***mark of whether people are or are not Christian; & not even the most important mark. Believing the Blessed Trinity to be three Persons in the Unity of One Nature is not much use if one denies Christ by one’s way of life.

Yeah, you’ve got a point there.

(and not, as my father would say, on top of your head)

 

[jblake]

Feedmysheep;:

I wonder if that’s possible, denying the Trinity, but maintaining “Christian” status.

The Apostle’s Creed is as much a Unitarian Creed, as it is a Trinitarian Creed. The Nicence Creed is not as obviously a Uniterian Creed.

Restoration Movement Christianity is another example of Non-Trinitarian Christianity.

xan

jonathon

 

[Robbinson]

Can you show me where it says you must accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior or the part about baptism in the Spirit saving you?

Romans 10:11

"That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "

 

[elvisman]

Romans 10:11

"That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. "

Again - taken out of context - that is to say, the context of the whole of scripture.
Nothing about baptism of the Spirit.

What do you do with passages like John 6:53-54:
**"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. ****Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." **

---

You see, the problem with taking one line here and one line there from scripture out of context is that you can concoct a plethora of bizarre ideas that condone everything from slavery to homosexuality.

**Merely believing in Christ doesn’t save you - it’s obedience to that faith (Romans 1:5, 16:26). **
Even Satan and his demons believe in Jesus and know that God raised him from the dead.
Are they saved??

 

[Robbinson]

Again - taken out of context - that is to say, the context of the whole of scripture.
Nothing about baptism of the Spirit.

What do you do with passages like John 6:53-54:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day."

---

You see, the problem with taking one line here and one line there from scripture out of context is that you can concoct a plethora of bizarre ideas that condone everything from slavery to homosexuality.

Merely believing in Christ doesn’t save you - it’s obedience to that faith (Romans 1:5, 16:26).
Even Satan and his demons believe in Jesus and know that God raised him from the dead.
Are they saved??

Good points. I’ll confess the need for further study.

Brian

 

[lovesMary]

Unitarianism is not a Christian religion. It’s a group of people who gather together for the purpose of fellowship and to explore various ideas and philosophies. They engage in various charitable outreaches and are heavily into what Catholics would call the Social Gospel.

They are for the most part, white, liberal leaning, and Democrats. Some Unitarians I’ve known are wonderful examples of personal holiness and live very good lives.