Introduction to the Transylvanian Unitarian Disciplina Ecclesiastica

This chapter provides the political, theological, and ecclesial background of the 1626 Disciplina Ecclesiastica, showing that it was a product of a number of forces. First, the increasing pressure from the Calvinist princes of Transylvania on the Unitarian Church to distance themselves from the Sabbatarian movement. Second, the Socinian Valentin Radecke (d.1632), elected bishop of the Church, saw this document as an opportunity to further consolidate the church in Transylvania closer to the Socinian theology. Its provisions clearly have as their goals creating a disciplinary law for clergy, the acceptance of a closed dogmatic system, and unified worship among the clergy and within the Unitarian Church.