Apostolic Life in the 21st Century
Are Oneness Pentecostals Modalists?
Oct 28, 2024
The discussion dives into the complexities of modalism and its ties to modern Oneness Pentecostalism. The speakers argue that critics often misuse the term modalism, highlighting the need to ground beliefs in scripture. They explore the interpretation of God's nature within Oneness theology, critiquing the conventional terminology of 'persons.' Historical perspectives reveal how early Christians held views resembling modalism before the rise of Trinitarian doctrine. This thought-provoking comparison uncovers deep theological nuances and invites listeners to reconsider established beliefs.
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Quick takeaways
- Dr. Bernard highlights the value of assessing theological beliefs through biblical scripture instead of relying on potentially misleading historical labels like modalism.
- The podcast illustrates that early modalists and modern Oneness Pentecostals share a similar understanding of God as one entity revealed in different roles, especially through Jesus Christ.
Deep dives
Understanding Modalism
Modalism is a term created by modern theologians to categorize the beliefs of ancient Christian groups, particularly those from the second to fourth centuries, about the nature of God. The historical understanding of modalism largely comes from descriptions given by its opponents, making it difficult to ascertain the original beliefs of those labeled as modalists. Moreover, Dr. Bernard expresses his reluctance to adopt the term for himself due to its potential misrepresentation of his beliefs and the ancient beliefs about God. He emphasizes the importance of evaluating beliefs based on biblical scripture rather than on modern or ancient labels that can restrict meaningful theological discussion.
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