Scripture Proofs and Scriptural Illustrations of Unitarianism

PREFACE.

THE Unitarian Association of the State of New-York feeling itself charged with the promulgation of sound Christian Doctrine in this community, is solicitous to put forth in the cheapest form, consistent with clearness of type and durability of substance, a series of works, declarative or defensive, of Unitarian Theology.

The present volume is an experiment upon the interest of the public mind in the subject. It will speedily be followed by others if it shall obtain a general or considerable circulation.

It will be observed that the "Scripture Proofs of Unitarianism" is exclusively devoted to the establishment of a single article of faith," the strict, undivided Unity of God, and the subordination of Christ to the Universal Father." The reader must not expect, therefore, to find in this volume any general account of the Unitarian system of faith, but only the evidence on which we ground the opinion which fundamentally distinguishes us from Trinitarian Christians. We think it proper to remark that the Author's humanitarianism would be objected to by many Unitarians in this country, and we do not intend either to endorse or to disown his sentiments respecting the nature of Christ any farther than they deny or disprove his Supreme Deity.

The importance of this work, and the propriety of devoting so many pages to the single question it treats, will be granted by those who reflect that the whole controversy between Liberal and Orthodox Christians (the first title will surely be conceded us if we yield the second to our opponents) turns upon the Deity of Christ. On the truth of that dogma rests the scheme of Calvinistic theology, and of every other system of faith involving an infinite sacrifice, and we consider that the establishment of the derived and dependant nature and character of Christ in this work," lays the axe to the root of the tree" of the popular Theology.

The original work from which this volume is taken, contains a

"Second Part," entitled "The Alleged Scriptural Evidence for Trinitarianism Examined by the Light of Scripture." Should this "First Part" attract attention, we may be induced to offer the "Second Part" to the public. Yet we are by no means so anxious to show the weakness of Trinitarian objections, as the strength of the Unitarian position. The positive proof furnished by the New Testament is the stronghold of our theology; and when we allow ourselves in this controversy to be seduced from the broad and open ground furnished us by the general tenor of the Scriptures, into the narrow and dark hiding-places of disputed and difficult texts, in which lurk the alleged evidences of Trinitarianism, we yield unnecessarily the advantage which we possess in sight of the plain, unembarrassed, open-featured truth of our Doctrines.

We shall be greatly disappointed if the Proof furnished in this work that Jesus Christ is not the Supreme God, does not startle and arouse many who have hitherto felt secure in another opinion. We know too well the power of prejudice, the sluggishness of the general mind, and the natural reluctance to abandon any dogma, however uninteresting in itself, which is connected with others to which a vast artificial importance, and a factitious tenderness have been given by religious teachers, to expect any effect from this argument adequate to its weight and unanswerableness. But we do confidently anticipate that all Trinitarians who read this book will be very slow thenceforward to charge Unitarians with setting up Reason against Scripture, or deriving their opinion from some other source than the Bible.

We desire, in the name of American Unitarians, to thank the Author of this work for the great service he has rendered the cause of Christian Truth, and to express our conviction that its dissemination through the United States in a cheap form, will extend its usefulness far beyond the original expectations of the Author. We wish we could offer him a more substantial gratitude.

NEW-YORK, February, 1847.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

Different Opinions concerning God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit

Table of the Belief of Christians
Note on the Athanasian Creed

SECT.

SCRIPTURE EVIDENCE FOR UNITARIANISM:

CHAPTER I.-OF GOD.

I.-Passages of Scripture proving the Strict Unity of God
Observations on these passages

Observations on the Epithets Holy One, Mighty One, &c. II.-Passages in which the One God is characterized as Jehovah alone, the only Person or Being who possesses the Attributes of Deity

Observations on the phrase only True God, applied to the
Father

III.-Passages in which the One God, Jehovah, is pronounced to be un-
equalled by any Being in the universe
Observations

IV.-Passages declaring God to be one Person or Being, exclusive of, and in opposition to, Heathen Deities

Observations showing that such language necessarily excludes
Plurality

V.-Passages in which God is represented as speaking of himself, and
as addressed and spoken of, in language intimating the strict-
est Unity -

Observations on the Personal Pronouns, as applied to the
Deity

335

VI.-Passages showing that one Divine Person-the Father of Christwas the sole Agent in the Creation, &c. of the Universe Observations on the fulness of the evidence for this Doctrine- 39 SECT. VII.-Passages of the New Testament, in which Peculiar Titles, Epithets, or Attributes, are ascribed to God, the Father Observations on the Titles of God and of Christ SECT. VIII.-Passages of the New Testament, in which the Father is termed God absolutely, and in contradistinction to Jesus Christ Observations on the terms God and Father