A secret Unitarian in 17th century England: Isaac Newton

Year 2024, Volume: 21 Issue: 1, 23 - 42, 30.06.2024

Talha Fortacı

https://doi.org/10.17131/milel.1441614

Abstract

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) is one of the most important figures in the history of science. He made groundbreaking discoveries in physics and mathematics, including the universal law of gravity and the laws of motion. He was also deeply interested in alchemy, both theoretical and practical. In addition to his scientific endeavours, Newton wrote throughout his adult life on early church history and biblical interpretation. Although his views on theology are not well known, Newton had important expansions in this area. In particular, it can be said that his views on the Trinity take a different approach from the tradition. The attributes of God, Christ and His atonement, the Father and the Son, are some of the main theological issues that Newton emphasised. It is known that he used the Bible as his main source of reference when analysing these topics, and that he was also familiar with the interpretations of Church Fathers such as Augustine, Athanasius and Origen. The main claim of this article is that Newton’s understanding of Christianity is very close to the so-called Unitarianism, especially in terms of Jesus Christ. In this respect, This article analyses how Isaac Newton thought about the Trinity. The study aims to determine where Isaac Newton, who is notable for his anti-trinitarian views, can be placed within the Christian tradition on the question of the Trinity.

Keywords

Christianity, Unitarianism, Isaac Newton, Theology, Heretism, Trinity

Ethical Statement

Ethical principles were followed during the preparation of this study.

17. Yüzyıl İngiltere’sinde Gizli Bir Üniteryan: Isaac Newton

Abstract

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) bilim tarihinin en önemli figürlerinden biridir. Evrensel çekim yasası ve hareket yasaları da dahil olmak üzere fizik ve matematikte çığır açan keşifler yapmıştır. Ayrıca hem teorik hem de pratik simya ile derinlemesine ilgilenmiştir. Newton, bilimsel çalışmalarının yanısıra yetişkinlik hayatı boyunca erken Kilise tarihi ve Kutsal Kitap’ın yorumu konularında da kalem oynatmış bir isimdir. Teoloji alanındaki görüşleri çok bilinmese de Newton’ın bu bahiste önemli açılımları vardır. Özellikle teslis hakkındaki görüşlerinin gelenekten ayrılan bir yaklaşıma sahip olduğu ifade edilebilir. Tanrı’nın sıfatları, Mesih ve Kefareti, teslisin uknumları olan Baba ve Oğul Newton’ın üzerinde durduğu temel teolojik konulardan bir kaçıdır. Bahsi geçen konuları irdelerken temel kaynak olarak Kutsal Kitap’ı referans aldığı, bunun yanında Augustinus, Athanasius ve Origen gibi kilise babalarının yorumlarına da hakim olduğu bilinmektedir. Bu makalenin temel iddiası Newton’ın Üniteryanizm olarak ifade edilen harekete Hıristiyanlık anlayışı bakımından özellikle de İsa Mesih konusunda çok yakın olduğudur. Bu bakımdan makalede Isaac Newton’ın teslis hakkındaki düşüncelerinin bir analizi yapılmaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı, teslis karşıtı görüşleriyle temayüz eden Isaac Newton’ın teslis hususunda Hıristiyan geleneği içerisinde nerede konumlandırılabileceğini tespit etmektir.

Keywords

Hıristiyanlık, Üniteryanizm, Isaac Newton, Teoloji, Heretizm, Teslis

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmanın hazırlanma sürecinde etik ilkelere uyulmuştur.

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