Socinianism
In one sentence
An early-modern anti-Trinitarian rationalist movement rejecting Christ’s pre-existence and several traditional doctrines.
In simple terms
Socinianism constructs a rationalist anti-Trinitarian Christianity: the Father alone is God, Christ does not preexist as the eternal Son, and traditional accounts of atonement are revised.
Biblical truth
Scripture affirms one God while also speaking of Christ’s preexistence, unique sonship, and divine role.
Key Scriptures
John 1:1–3 · John 8:58 · John 17:5 · Phil. 2:5–11 · Col. 1:15–17
Example
Socinian readings commonly explain texts about Christ’s preexistence as foreordination or ideal existence in God’s plan.
Who holds it
The Polish Brethren and other early modern anti-Trinitarian communities; the ideas later influenced parts of Unitarianism.
Not to be confused with
Not to be confused with modern Unitarianism in general; historical Socinianism had its own developed system.
History
Associated with Lelio and Fausto Sozzini and the Polish anti-Trinitarian movement of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Main point of debate
Central disputes concern Christ’s preexistence and deity, the Trinity, satisfaction of divine justice, and the nature of salvation.