Socinian

Socinianism is a rationalist, nontrinitarian form of Christian theology that emerged in the 16th century. It is named after Fausto Sozzini and his nephew Lelio Sozzini (Laelius), Italian humanists whose ideas spread to Poland-Lithuania and Transylvania. The movement gathered adherents who called themselves the Polish Brethren or the Racovianists, and opponents later labeled them "Socinians."

Core beliefs: They rejected the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, and the doctrine of the pre-existence of Christ, arguing for monotheism and Jesus as a unique human messenger. They favored a rational, biblically grounded interpretation of Christianity and questioned miracles as supernatural interventions. They taught that salvation comes through repentance, faith expressed in ethical living, and the Spirit's work within a person rather than through sacramental grace or substitutionary atonement. They supported free will, religious toleration, and often believer's baptism as an outgrowth of their emphasis on personal faith and moral responsibility.

History and influence: The Racovian Academy at Raków, founded around 1602 in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, became a major center of Socinian scholarship and publishing. The movement declined in Poland due to persecution and political change but left a lasting influence on Unitarian trends in Transylvania and later among English and Dutch dissenters. By shaping questions about scripture, theology, and toleration, Socinian ideas contributed to the development of liberal and Unitarian theology in Europe.