[El Cid]

I don't know about the 'heretic' accusation. It may be true, as Socinianism (denying the divinity of Christ) was a diseased strain that was around in those days (as it was earlier with the Arianists, and then later with the Russellites and the JWs). And it is true that if Newton was of that ilk, he had good reason to keep his thoughts to himself, since Christ deniers have always been looked down upon in Christian countries (which England was in the 1600s). But I read his manuscript on Daniel's Prophecy, and if my memory serves me correctly he did seem to make statements that would only be consistent with a belief that Jesus Christ was truly God and man. But I agree that it wasn't a black and white statement -- just a vague allusion to the fact.

Anyways, I don't think I've seen any conclusive data that shows he was a heretic -- just oft repeated suspicions.

[JAKraig]

No one has every accused Newton of denying Christ. Newton only did not believe in the theology of the “Trinity” as taught in Trinity College. Trinity College was a divinity school. Newton believed in Christ and believed that Christ was the Savior of the world. He believed that God was Christs Father and a separate being from Christ Himself. He also believed that the Holy Ghost likewise was a separate being.

Newton was an avid student of the Holy Bible and believed mostly in the literal meaning of it.

Not ascribing to the Catholic interpretation of the Holy Trinity in Newton’s day would however classify him as a “heretic”. By the time of Newton however the classification of being a heretic was not the same as it was just a hundred years earlier.