Socinianism

Rooted in the Radical (Protestant) Reformation of the 16th century, Socinianism was a non-Trinitarian, rational theology that may be considered a precursor to Unitarianism. In addition to rejecting the classical doctrine of the Trinity, Socinians also rejected classical (Chalcedonian) Christology—namely, the eternality of Christ (the Second Person of the Trinity), and the divine nature of Jesus. As such, Socinian soteriology was severely limited to a view of Jesus as a moral exemplar, leaving little room for Christ's atonement or for the sacraments. As with other theologies that denied the divinity of Christ, the sacramental means of grace, and the Trinity, Wesley considered Socinianism a heretical movement.