The roots of Unitarian theology can be traced back to the early anti-Trinitarian heresies, but it was in 1825, in New England, that the American Unitarian Association was founded. The beliefs of the Universalist Church of America (founded in 1785) have been traced back to ancient Zoroastrianism and the Eastern religions.

Unitarian-Universalism claims to have no established creed, but encourages the individual to "reason and feel your own way to what the evidence leads you to believe." "We have no creed ... Our churches make no official pronouncements on God, the Bible, Jesus, immortality, or any other theological questions" (Meet the Unitarian Universalists, p. 2). This is deceptive. While the UUA may not publish an official creed, Beacon Press publications do contain dogmatic statements written by UUA ministers and laypersons. These statements address essentials of the Christian faith. What follows is a comparison of those teachings with the teachings of historic Christianity.

THE BIBLE

UUA: The Bible is not the inerrant word of God. "We do not, however hold the Bible ... to be either an infallible guide or the exclusive source of truth. Much biblical material is mythical or legendary" (The Faithfulness of Unitarian Universalists, p. 7).

Christians are unthinking. "(T)he Bible dictates...what must be believed. For those who have no special urge to do their own thinking, this is an effective and logical approach" (Meet the Unitarian Universalists, p. 4).

BIBLE: The validity of Scripture as God's Word can be demonstrated through manuscript, archeological, prophetic, and statistical evidences. Since it is God's words to mankind, it should be obeyed. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitness of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16).

"And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19).

JESUS CHRIST

UUA: Denial of Christ's deity. "We honor Jesus, but no more than we honor other master teachers of past or present generations" (The Faithfulness of Unitarian Universalists, p. 6).

BIBLE: Jesus is Deity, and must be honored above all. "Who, being in very nature God....Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:6, 9).

THE TRINITY

UUA: Denial of the Trinity. "Hosea Ballou, articulated Universalist doctrine in his book, "A Treatise on Atonement," which sought to prove the doctrine of the trinity was unscriptural" (A Brief History of Unitarian Universalism, p. 3).

BIBLE: Jesus affirms the Trinity. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

THE ATONEMENT

UUA: Christ's atonement is rejected. "We reject the attitude that salvation is attainable only through the mediation of Jesus Christ" (Religions of the World - A Universalist Perspective, p. 2).

BIBLE: There is only one mediator between God and man. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

(B)ecause he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and make intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus answered: 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6).

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

UUA: Denial of the Resurrection. "The odds are very great that God did not literally part the Red Sea or Jesus physically rise from the tomb" (Our Chosen Faith, p. xiv).

BIBLE: The Disciples proclaimed the resurrection of Christ because they were eyewitnesses to the event. The Disciples were persecuted and martyred for preaching the risen Christ. It is beyond reason to think that they would have died for what they knew to be a lie. "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have" (Luke 24:38-39).

"But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you" (Acts 13:37-38).

SINFUL NATURE

UUA: Denial of the sinful nature. "(W)e are not born in sin but with the potential for goodness" (Should My Child Go to Sunday School?, p. 2).