Biblical Canon

The UUA does not regard the 66-book Protestant Bible (or any canon) as the uniquely inspired and authoritative Word of God. The UUA's fourth source — one of the 'living tradition' sources that inform UU theology — includes 'Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves,' but this is placed alongside teachings from other world religions, humanist philosophy, and 'direct experience of transcending mystery.'

For those UU members with a broadly Christian orientation, the Bible may be read as an important and valuable collection of religious wisdom — but it is not treated as inerrant, uniquely inspired, or categorically superior to other sacred texts. The Quran, the Dhammapada, the Bhagavad Gita, and the writings of secular philosophers may be cited with equal authority in UU worship and teaching.

The UUA's approach to religious texts is pluralistic and critical: texts from any tradition are read with appreciation for their wisdom and with critical awareness of their historical context and limitations. No text is exempt from rational critique, and no text can override the individual's free and responsible search for truth. This is among the most radical departures from mainstream Christianity's view of the biblical canon.