Yes, Sir Isaac Newton held beliefs aligned with Arian theology, though he kept these views private due to their controversial nature. Arianism, based on the teachings of Arius, denies the full divinity of Jesus Christ, asserting that the Son is a created being, subordinate to God the Father. Newton’s extensive theological writings, including manuscripts like A Historical Account of Two Notable Corruptions of Scripture, reveal his rejection of the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. He argued that the concept of the Trinity was not supported by early Christian texts and was a later corruption of scripture, a position central to Arian thought.
Newton’s studies of early Church history and biblical texts led him to conclude that passages like 1 John 5:7, which supports the Trinity, were later interpolations. He believed the original Christian doctrine was closer to Arianism, emphasizing the unity and supremacy of God the Father. However, as a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, and a public figure, Newton was cautious, sharing his views only with close associates to avoid persecution, as Arianism was considered heretical in 17th-century England.
His theological notes, many of which were unpublished during his lifetime, confirm his sympathy for Arian ideas, though he never formally declared himself an Arian. Instead, he framed his beliefs as a return to a purer, original Christianity. For further details, Newton’s manuscripts at the National Library of Israel or the Keynes Collection at Cambridge provide primary source material.
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