On a rainy evening in 1841, the Unitarian minister Theodore Parker rode across Boston to be there when a colleague became the new pastor of a church. Groups of ministers always participated in these events, or “installation” ceremonies, where one of their own became “installed” or welcomed as the church’s full-time pastor. Parker gave the main sermon at this event. He was known as a passionate, earnest speaker who gripped the lectern when he preached, mopping his brow at the effort. His topic was “The Transient and the Permanent in Christianity.”
The words of Jesus were permanent, Parker said, but the doctrines of the church, the miracles and healings in the Bible, and the person of Christ Jesus were all transient, or temporary and fading. So was Bible authority and revelation.
Parker’s colleagues listened politely, but the fallout from his sermon was intense. He had already been a somewhat controversial preacher. But now no one invited Parker to exchange pulpits with them, something ministers did to express mutual support and fellowship. Unitarians were known for being inclusive, but now the leading Unitarian magazine wouldn’t accept any of Parker’s articles. The Boston Association, the main group of Unitarian ministers located in Boston (the city that was the main headquarters of Unitarianism) grilled Parker on his beliefs and tried to force him to give up his membership. He wouldn’t do it, but the breach never mended. After that, he was on his own.
