The Magazine Podcast The Socinian Menace
Sep 15, 2025
Unearth the controversial Socinianism that challenged Reformed churches for centuries. Delve into the origins of Lelio Sozzini and his unitarian inclinations, influenced by a blend of Roman Catholic training and free-thinking. Explore John Calvin's warnings against speculative theology and the systemic errors propagated by Faustus Sozzini’s work with the Polish Brethren. Discover how denying Christ’s deity impacts worship and morality, and hear about the historical rebuttals from Andrew Fuller and others that shaped the theological landscape.
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Sassini Founded Unitarian Socinianism
- Lelio Sassini (Sossinus) spawned Socinianism, a Unitarian movement denying the Trinity and Christ's deity.
- Socinianism stressed human ability and rejected penal substitution and Christ's full divinity.
Popery's Reaction Helped Produce Socinianism
- William Cunningham traces Socinian origins to men schooled in Roman Catholicism who reacted against papal despotism.
- Their intellectual emancipation led them to reject popish doctrines wholesale without sound spiritual grounding.
Calvin's Rebuke And Zankeus Contrast
- Calvin rebuked Lelio Sassini for indulging in 'aerial speculations' that harmed his faith and wasted his talents.
- Zankeus contrasted by showing sincere seekers under the Reformation who embraced orthodox theology through Scripture and the Spirit.
