Socinianism – What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Socinianism arose in the sixteenth century through the teaching of Fausto Sozzini and others who rejected several foundational doctrines of historic Christianity. It teaches that God is one person, not triune; that Jesus was only human and did not exist before His birth; and that Scripture is subject to human reason and mistakes rather than being fully authoritative. Socinianism also denies original sin, teaching that people are born morally neutral and capable of obeying God without His aid. Because of this, salvation is understood as merely moral reform through instruction and example.

What Scripture teaches is fundamentally different. Socinianism denies that God has exhaustive knowledge of the future, but the Bible presents God as fully knowing and sovereign over all things, declaring the end from the beginning and accomplishing all His purposes (Isaiah 46:9–10). Scripture also teaches that Jesus existed before creation and shares the divine nature of God (John 1:1–3) and that Humanity’s problem is sin, which brings guilt and separation from God (Romans 3:23). Because of that guilt, salvation requires more than instruction: it requires atonement. Scripture shows that such forgiveness and reconciliation come only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who bore God’s wrath in the place of repentant sinners (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Socinianism denies original sin and treats human beings as morally capable of obedience apart from any kind of inner corruption. The Old Testament does not indicate that, though. From Genesis 3, Scripture presents sin as a condition passed on to all of humanity after Adam’s fall, affecting every person’s heart and actions.
• During Noah’s day, for example, God observed that “wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), a condition which David noted comes from conception (Psalm 51:5). Humanity’s problem, thus, is not merely poor instruction on how to live but a corrupted nature that produces rebellion against God.
• Socinianism also rejects the need for substitutionary atonement even though the Bible constantly teaches that sin brings death and that forgiveness requires a life given in the sinner’s place (Leviticus 17:11). While the Old Testament animal sacrifices did not solve humankind’s sin problem permanently, those sacrifices established the pattern that forgiveness requires a substitute who bears judgment for another.
• Finally, Socinianism’s denial of God’s exhaustive knowledge conflicts with Scripture’s presentation of God as “declaring the end from the beginning” and accomplishing all His purposes (Isaiah 46:9–10).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• According to Socinianism, Jesus was a mere man who began to exist at His birth. The New Testament explicitly denies this. It teaches that Jesus existed eternally and entered the world by taking on human nature. In referring to Jesus as “the Word,” John wrote that “the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” and that this Word “became flesh” (John 1:1, 14). Before creation, “the Word” existed and was not only with God, but was God. Thus, Jesus is not a created teacher but the eternal Son who shares God’s nature.
• Socinianism also denies original sin and treats salvation as mere moral reform. Paul, however, identifies humanity’s problem as guilt before God due to sin, stating, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Because sin brings judgment, salvation must address justice. God cannot simply overlook sin without compromising His righteousness (Romans 3:26).
• It is for this reason that the Bible explains that Jesus added on humanity (Philippians 2:6–7) to live like us but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Since He never sinned, He did not have any guilt of His own, but willingly died anyway to be a substitute for sinful men and women (i.e., 1 Peter 3:18).
• Salvation, then, is freedom from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9) and comes by trusting in Christ’s finished work (Romans 10:9–10). This is why Paul insisted that “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Socinianism reduces Christianity to something manageable. If Jesus is only a teacher and sin is only bad behavior, then the solution is obvious: do better and learn more. Scripture, however, refuses to give that kind of answer because such a life only leads to condemnation.

But we do not need better instruction on how to obey God. We are sinners who need forgiveness. And forgiveness is not something we can earn by trying harder or living better. Why is this? Sin is rebellion against God, and all rebellion requires punishment. Because God is eternal and infinite, the punishment He will inflict is also eternal and infinite.

Let that sink in. You’ll realize how hopeless your situation would be without Christ.

God is merciful and has provided a way to escape judgment. Jesus was not just another moral example, but the Son of God who added on humanity so that He could live just like us, but without sin. Because He lived perfectly, He did not face God’s eternal wrath. Yet He accepted it anyway, dying in the place of repentant sinners. Because that judgment has been satisfied, God can forgive you completely and justly.

Almost two thousand years ago, the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, ““Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul’s answer then still applies: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. . . ” (Acts 16:31). It’s really that simple: repent of your sin and trust Christ alone. When you do this, you’re admitting that you cannot save yourself and that Jesus is the Son of God, the only One who can die in your place. When you turn to Christ, God forgives you and gives you new, eternal life.

If you have been relying on reason or effort to make yourself right with God, Scripture calls you to stop and trust Jesus. He alone saves, and when He does, it is final and complete.

UNDERSTAND

• Socinianism denies the Trinity, Christ’s deity, and original sin.
• Scripture teaches Jesus is eternal God, and humanity is sinful.
• Salvation comes only through Christ’s atoning work, not human effort.

REFLECT

• How does understanding Socinianism’s denial of Christ’s deity challenge or deepen your view of who Jesus really is?
• How does Socinianism’s rejection of original sin make you reflect on your own need for God’s forgiveness?
• How might relying on grace instead of human effort, in contrast to Socinianism, change how you live each day?

ENGAGE

• How do Socinianism’s teachings about Jesus as only human wrongly affect a person’s understanding of salvation and God’s plan?
• How does Socinianism’s denial of original sin conflict with Scripture, and what does that teach us about humanity’s need for Christ?
• What impact might Socinianism’s focus on human effort rather than God’s grace have on people seeking God, and how can we point them to what the Bible says?