History

Why “The Heretic”? 

Union’s History in the Church
From President Charles A. Brigg’s suspension from the Presbyterian Church in 1891 to claims of heresy against James Cone and other founders of liberation theology, Union has long been a home for theologians who question orthodox views.

Redefining Heresy
Today, "heresy" or “heretic” has layers of meaning and usage beyond the theological sphere. In our contemporary context, the word can be used as a pejorative or as a compliment. By cheekily reclaiming the term “heretic,” we are honoring the Union community’s historical boldness in questioning authoritative claims of “truth” and standing up for heterodoxy and inclusion.

The Heretic Now
How do we stand firm in our theological convictions despite the risk of being called heretical? We welcome you to learn and grow with us by adding your voice to The Heretic, a space where seminarians across traditions come together to contemplate, challenge, and rewrite theological narratives.