Free Christian
Encyclopedia
The term Free Christian refers specifically to individual members and whole congregations within the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
.
Free Christians do not subscribe to any officially written doctrinal or creedal statement, as found in other churches. Because of their connections with British Unitarianism, they are known particularly for allowing dissent from Trinitarian doctrine. However, Free Christian groups also welcome those believers who personally adhere to more orthodox beliefs (such as the Trinity
) as the emphasis is on inclusivity rather than non-conformity per se.
in the late 19th Century. James Martineau was an advocate of theological inclusivity arguing that explicitly Unitarian churches would lead to "a different doxy" from orthodoxy. He urged churches not to use the name "Unitarian," and suggested "Free Christian Church" as a more inclusive alternative—going further in 1868 to form the Free Christian Union which he hoped would unite Christians of various beliefs who were opposed to officially imposed doctrine or creeds.
In mainland Britain today, Free Christians who profess a denominational allegiance can be found primarily within the ranks of the Unitarians
, and more specifically, the Unitarian Christian Association
. Notable Free Christian congregations include Flowery Field Church (Hyde, Greater Manchester), Hyde Chapel (Gee Cross, Greater Manchester) and Brook Street Chapel (Knutsford, Chesire)
Within neighbouring Ireland
, similar congregations can be found under the related 'Non-Subscribing Presbyterian' moniker. The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
has formal links with both the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
and the Unitarian Christian Association
—including the shared use of theological and ministry training colleges. They also consider themselves to have a shared heritage. As such, they could be viewed as connected to the same 'Free Christian' current.
Today, Free Christians remain primarily within the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches co-existing with Unitarians. On occasion this had led to dispute with those Unitarians who consider themselves Agnostic, Atheist, Pagan
, Buddhist, or Nontheist, or do not accept a religious label of any description.
The nearest one can find to a list of beliefs is usually a through a statement of uniting principles as seen outlined by the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
:
“We declare allegiance to the principle that:
Our faith:
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is the umbrella organisation for Unitarian, Free Christian and other liberal religious congregations in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1928, with denominational roots going back to the Great Ejection of 1662...
.
Free Christians do not subscribe to any officially written doctrinal or creedal statement, as found in other churches. Because of their connections with British Unitarianism, they are known particularly for allowing dissent from Trinitarian doctrine. However, Free Christian groups also welcome those believers who personally adhere to more orthodox beliefs (such as the Trinity
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
) as the emphasis is on inclusivity rather than non-conformity per se.
Brief History & Current Presence
The term Free Christian can be traced back to ministry of James MartineauJames Martineau
James Martineau was an English religious philosopher influential in the history of Unitarianism. For 45 years he was Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in Manchester New College, the principal training college for British Unitarianism.-Early life:He was born in Norwich,...
in the late 19th Century. James Martineau was an advocate of theological inclusivity arguing that explicitly Unitarian churches would lead to "a different doxy" from orthodoxy. He urged churches not to use the name "Unitarian," and suggested "Free Christian Church" as a more inclusive alternative—going further in 1868 to form the Free Christian Union which he hoped would unite Christians of various beliefs who were opposed to officially imposed doctrine or creeds.
In mainland Britain today, Free Christians who profess a denominational allegiance can be found primarily within the ranks of the Unitarians
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is the umbrella organisation for Unitarian, Free Christian and other liberal religious congregations in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1928, with denominational roots going back to the Great Ejection of 1662...
, and more specifically, the Unitarian Christian Association
Unitarian Christian Association
The Unitarian Christian Association is a relatively small fellowship of Christians who feel an affinity with traditional Unitarianism and Free Christianity...
. Notable Free Christian congregations include Flowery Field Church (Hyde, Greater Manchester), Hyde Chapel (Gee Cross, Greater Manchester) and Brook Street Chapel (Knutsford, Chesire)
Within neighbouring Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, similar congregations can be found under the related 'Non-Subscribing Presbyterian' moniker. The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland derives its name and its liberal and tolerant identity from early 18th century Presbyterian ministers who refused to subscribe at their ordination to the Westminster Confession, a standard Reformed statement of faith; and who formed, in 1725, the...
has formal links with both the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is the umbrella organisation for Unitarian, Free Christian and other liberal religious congregations in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1928, with denominational roots going back to the Great Ejection of 1662...
and the Unitarian Christian Association
Unitarian Christian Association
The Unitarian Christian Association is a relatively small fellowship of Christians who feel an affinity with traditional Unitarianism and Free Christianity...
—including the shared use of theological and ministry training colleges. They also consider themselves to have a shared heritage. As such, they could be viewed as connected to the same 'Free Christian' current.
Today, Free Christians remain primarily within the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches co-existing with Unitarians. On occasion this had led to dispute with those Unitarians who consider themselves Agnostic, Atheist, Pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
, Buddhist, or Nontheist, or do not accept a religious label of any description.
Theology / Principles
Because of their focus on a form of Christianity without official written statements of doctrine and creed, Free Christians do not have a set list of unifying beliefs beyond a reverence for God and a commitment to studying and following the teachings and example of Jesus of Nazareth.The nearest one can find to a list of beliefs is usually a through a statement of uniting principles as seen outlined by the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
The Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland derives its name and its liberal and tolerant identity from early 18th century Presbyterian ministers who refused to subscribe at their ordination to the Westminster Confession, a standard Reformed statement of faith; and who formed, in 1725, the...
:
“We declare allegiance to the principle that:
- the teaching of Christ must take precedence over the doctrines of a later time, and
- Christian unity is to be sought, not in the uniformity of creed but in a common standard of duty and adherence to the commandments set out in the Holy Bible.
Our faith:
- is governed by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments of the Holy BibleBibleThe Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
- asserts and upholds the right of each and every individual to search these scriptural records for themselves and to use reason and personal conscience to discover God’s Divine Truth
- removes Human Tests and Confessions of Faith that restrict private judgement and prevent free enquiry
- upholds the beautiful simplicity of the great commandments as defined by Jesus Christ: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind” and “You must love your neighbour as yourself.”
See also
- General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian ChurchesGeneral Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian ChurchesThe General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches is the umbrella organisation for Unitarian, Free Christian and other liberal religious congregations in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1928, with denominational roots going back to the Great Ejection of 1662...
- Liberal ChristianityLiberal ChristianityLiberal Christianity, sometimes called liberal theology, is an umbrella term covering diverse, philosophically and biblically informed religious movements and ideas within Christianity from the late 18th century and onward...
- List of Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists
- Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of IrelandNon-subscribing Presbyterian Church of IrelandThe Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland derives its name and its liberal and tolerant identity from early 18th century Presbyterian ministers who refused to subscribe at their ordination to the Westminster Confession, a standard Reformed statement of faith; and who formed, in 1725, the...
- Unitarian Christian AssociationUnitarian Christian AssociationThe Unitarian Christian Association is a relatively small fellowship of Christians who feel an affinity with traditional Unitarianism and Free Christianity...
- Unitarian UniversalismUnitarian UniversalismUnitarian Universalism is a religion characterized by support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists do not share a creed; rather, they are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth and by the understanding that an individual's theology is a...
External links
- The New Affinities of Faith: A Plea for Free Christian Union, James Martineau (online book)
- Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland
- General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches (UK)
- James Martineau Biography
- Unitarian Christian Association (UK)
- Way-Farers - Free Christian resource