SarahY,

Eh, not really? I agree with Socinus' teachings about Jesus, and I agree with his general approach to religion, which is based on rationality. But we disagree on plenty of things, too. And he didn't found a new religion; I don't pray prayers by Socinus, follow a moral code from Socinus, or anything like that. He's just a guy I respect and admire.

Peace.

SarahY

I am American. There are not a lot of Socinians here.

Socinianism is a theological position rather than a church or sect. It is sometimes called Unitarianism, because we believe in one God. However, this can be confusing because some Unitarians in history have denied that Mary conceived as a virgin. Socinians believe that Jesus was born of a virgin.

Socinianism is named for Faustus Socinus, an Italian unitarian. He was associated with a group called the Polish Brethren. Ironically, he was very influential among them, but did not become a member because of differing views on baptism. The Polish Brethren don't exist any more, but there are other groups with similar beliefs. They are all very small.

People with my beliefs are usually not seen as Christians by trinitarians. We are about as heretical as it is possible to be.

Peace.

Man of Faith,

I mostly agree with your understanding of Jesus, though I would say that he is 100% pure.

I should clarify that a personification of an attribute is not a person. It is a literary device. Jesus is not literally an attribute of God. He is identified with personifications of them, but this is no more literal than the personifications themselves. I'm not sure I expressed that clearly before.

This is the standard Socinian position.

Peace.

I'm curious as to your definition of Messiah, but that is probably a topic for another thread--and only if you wish.

I'll give you a brief answer here and if you still want to talk about it we can make another thread.

Messiah means 'anointed'. The term (mashiach) is applied in the Bible to those anointed with oil kings and priests. 'The' Messiah is simply Israel's expected King who will bring in an idyllic golden age. It will be as though God is ruling in the form of a man.

This is Jesus. He is not God; but he is God's exalted agent on Earth. So he is called 'the son of God', the 'word of God', etc. The Word of God is just God's divine self-expression. It is one of God's attributes personified. You see this in the Old Testament with personified Wisdom, and in the works of Philo with the Word (Logos). Jesus embodies this attribute (figuratively, not literally) because he reveals the nature and will of God in the most perfect way.

There were many Jewish traditions about Messiah. Some said that the sort of Messiah Israel would get, would depend on their conduct. If they are righteous, they will get a conquering king. If they are sinful, they will get a suffering servant. This was meant to reconcile the different pictures of Messiah in the Old Testament.

As a Christian I believe that this mystery is solved by observing that the work of Messiah is not yet finished. He has begun a good work in the hearts of believers, by the power of God's spirit, and he will come again to finish it. God will set all things under his feet, and through him, all the nations will truly be blessed.

Hi. I found this site while googling Quranism and I am happy to have done so. A lot of the posts have been very instructive to me.

I don't follow the Qur'an. I am a monotheistic Christian (think Jesus was a prophet and Messiah, not God) and I follow the teachings of Jesus. But I think we probably have a lot of common ground and I'd like to learn more here.

Peace be with you.