Page 649 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

The Universalists, which were formed in the late unity of the world and unity of religion, but that is the
1700s, denied the miraculous element in Scripture, and false unity of the Antichrist (Re. 17-18) and should be
rejected such important Bible doctrines as total resisted by God’s people. Ecumenism means the whole
depravity of man, the Trinity, and eternal punishment in world, and it is the spirit of the end times apostasy. (2)
hell. A biblical unity based on apostolic truth. True Christian
The modern roots of the Unitarians can be traced to unity is the believers of a sound New Testament church
the rationalism and mysticism of the 17th and 18th united together in mind and faith and purpose to serve
centuries, though they claim to have roots as far back as Jesus Christ and fulfill the Great Commission under the
the Gnostics of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. In the second direction of their duly ordained leaders (Ro. 15:6; 1 Co.
half of the 18th century, many of the Congregational 1:10; 2 Co. 13:11; Ep. 4:1-13; Ph. 1:27).
churches which had become apostate moved toward In Ephesians 4:1-13 we see true biblical unity. It is far
Unitarianism. They denied the deity of Jesus Christ and removed from the ecumenical philosophy! (a) It is a
the perfect inspiration of the Scriptures. These Unitarian unity of the Holy Spirit (v. 3). It is not a unity which
congregations increased in number throughout the man must make, but which man is merely to keep. The
1800s. The American Unitarian Association was formed Holy Spirit must make this unity, because it is a unity of
in 1925. those who are truly born of the Spirit. Contrast this with
The chief feature of the ministry of the Apostles was the ecumenical concept of bringing together all who
their exaltation of Jesus Christ as only Lord and Saviour, name the name of Christ regardless of whether or not
and their commitment to a body of absolute truth which they are regenerate Christians. (b) It is a unity of the
they termed “the Faith Once Delivered to the one faith (v. 5). Biblical unity is impossible apart from
Saints” (Jude 3). The chief feature of the Unitarian- the one true and settled faith taught by the Apostles.
Universalist Association, though, is its rejection of God’s people are called upon to “earnestly contend for
Christ’s deity and sole saviorship, and their denial of the faith once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). There
biblical absolutes. According to the Unitarian- is no unity whatsoever between those who believe and
Universalist 1985 revised statement, no minister, follow the Bible and those who do not. (c) It is a unity
member, or congregation “shall be required to subscribe which has as its basic unit the local church. This
to any particular interpretation of religion, or to any command in Ephesians 4:3 is addressed to the church at
particular religious belief or creed.” Four of their seven Ephesus (Ep. 1:1). It was not addressed to some
Principles and Purposes are these: The inherent worth worldwide body of believers. It is possible to practice
and dignity of every person; a free and responsible biblical unity within the local church because doctrine
search for truth; the goal of world community with and righteousness can be preserved in the church.
peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the Outside of the church there is no biblical discipline,
interdependent web of all existence of which we are a oversight, or leadership. When Christians attempt to
part. According to the Associated Press (June 25, 1996), practice interdenominational and parachurch unity,
there are 1,040 Unitarian-Universalist congregations there is always compromise and disobedience. I am not
with 205,000 members. responsible to attempt to maintain a unity of spirit with
The Unitarian-Universalist Association of every professing believer in the world, but with the
Congregations became the first denomination to call for believers in my assembly, in my local body. The Bible
the legal recognition of same- sex marriages. The says “with one mind and one mouth” we are to glorify
resolution was passed at its annual meeting at the end God (Ro. 15:6). One mind and one mouth? That
of June 1996. “With the vote, support of same-sex certainly is not a description of ecumenism! This is only
marriage becomes official policy of the church. Each possible in the local church. In the assembly believers
congregation decides for itself whether to endorse the can truly be united together in doctrine and spirit and
marriage of gays and whether to host such purpose in a way that is absolutely impossible apart
weddings” (Associated Press, June 25, 1996). from a N.T. assembly. (d) It is a unity maintained by
As early as 1970, the Unitarians called for an end to God-given leaders (vv. 11-16). Biblical unity is possible
only inasmuch as Christians are willing to submit
discrimination against homosexuals and bisexuals. In themselves to God-ordained leadership. The Bible says
1980 Unitarians resolved that homosexuals should be submit yourselves to those that have the rule over you
ordained. [See Denomination.] (He. 13:7, 17). God has chosen that the churches have
UNITY. Together; at one; united. The Bible speaks of rulers, and that all the believers willingly submit
unity in two different ways. (1) A false unity based themselves to the direction and oversight of these godly
upon man’s desires and goals independent of God (Ge. men. The church that has God-called men in a position
11:1-9). The Bible condemns any proposed unity which of leadership and which humbly follows that leadership
is not founded in God’s truth. The cry of the hour is

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 649