Oneness theology, often associated with the Oneness Pentecostal movement, and modalism, a similar theological error from early church history, present a distorted understanding of the nature of God, particularly concerning the doctrine of the Trinity. Both views argue against the traditional Christian teaching of one God in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—leading to significant theological implications. Below, I’ll explore why Oneness theology and modalism are wrong according to Scripture and church history.
What Is Oneness Theology and Modalism?
Oneness Theology teaches that there is only one God who manifests Himself in different modes or roles, rather than existing eternally as three distinct persons. This view denies the Trinity, insisting that God is one person who simply appears as the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit at different times.
Modalism, a heresy rejected by the early church, similarly teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not distinct persons, but rather different manifestations or modes of one divine person.
Why Oneness Theology and Modalism Are Theologically Incorrect
Scriptural Evidence for the Trinity
The Bible consistently presents God as one being in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Numerous passages clearly show interaction between these three persons, which modalism and Oneness theology fail to account for:
- The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17): At Jesus’ baptism, all three persons of the Trinity are present. Jesus is baptized, the Spirit descends upon Him, and the Father speaks from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” These are clearly three distinct entities acting simultaneously.
- Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17): Jesus prays to the Father, revealing a personal relationship between two distinct persons. Jesus speaks directly to the Father, indicating a personal distinction between them, which contradicts the idea that Jesus and the Father are merely modes of one person.
- The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19): Jesus commands His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The singular “name” followed by three distinct persons affirms the unity and plurality within the Godhead.
- The Sending of the Spirit (John 14:16): Jesus promises His disciples that He will ask the Father to send another advocate, the Holy Spirit. Here, all three persons are distinct in their roles, with the Father sending the Spirit at the Son’s request.
Early Church Rejection of Modalism
Modalism was rejected by the early church as a heretical teaching. One of its chief proponents, Sabellius, argued that God manifested Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in different modes, but this was condemned as heresy by the church. Key early church figures such as Tertullian and Hippolytus argued against modalism, affirming the eternal distinction between the persons of the Trinity.
In his work Against Praxeas, Tertullian vigorously defended the Trinity, arguing that God is one in essence but exists eternally as three distinct persons. He explained that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not just roles or manifestations but distinct persons who share the same divine nature.
The early church solidified the doctrine of the Trinity at the Council of Nicaea in response to various heresies, including modalism. The Creed affirms that Jesus is “begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father,” emphasizing the distinction yet unity within the Trinity.
Theological Consequences of Oneness Theology
Oneness theology undermines the biblical understanding of God’s nature and the work of salvation:
- Atonement and Mediation: The Bible teaches that Jesus, the Son, acts as a mediator between humanity and God the Father (1 Timothy 2:5). Oneness theology’s denial of distinct persons raises serious problems for this understanding. If Jesus is merely a mode of the Father, how can He mediate between God and humans?
- The Love of the Father for the Son: Passages like John 17:24 show that the Father has loved the Son from before the foundation of the world. This eternal relationship of love between the Father and the Son is lost in Oneness theology, where the distinctions between persons are erased.
Church History and Creeds
Throughout church history, the doctrine of the Trinity has been a cornerstone of orthodox Christian belief. The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed all affirm the triune nature of God. These creeds, which summarize essential Christian beliefs, were formulated in response to heresies like modalism and provide a clear, biblically grounded expression of the Trinity.
Conclusion
Oneness theology and modalism fail to account for the clear biblical teaching and historical church understanding of the Trinity. Scripture reveals God as one in essence yet eternally existing in three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The early church, through councils and creeds, rejected modalism and affirmed the Trinity as an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Rejecting these biblical and historical truths undermines the very nature of God and His work in salvation.
The biblical doctrine of the Trinity, as affirmed by the church throughout history, provides a fuller, richer understanding of the God we worship and the relational nature of our salvation in Christ.
More Resources
Here are some authoritative resources that address the doctrinal errors of Oneness Pentecostalism from a biblical, theological, and historical perspective:
- “Trinitarian Faith” by Thomas Torrence. This is a seminal work that explores the doctrine of the Trinity as foundational to Christian theology. Torrance draws heavily on the Nicene Creed and early church fathers to argue that the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is central to understanding God’s self-revelation in Christ and His relationship with the world. He emphasizes the unity and distinctions within the Godhead, stressing the importance of Nicene orthodoxy for maintaining a correct understanding of God’s nature, salvation, and the incarnation. Torrance engages with historical theology to show how the Trinitarian faith shapes Christian worship, doctrine, and life.
- “Classic Christianity” by Thomas Oden. This wonderful book is a comprehensive presentation of historic Christian theology, synthesizing the core doctrines of the faith as taught by the early church fathers. Oden focuses on the ecumenical consensus of classical Christianity, covering topics such as the Trinity, Christology, salvation, and the sacraments. He draws on the wisdom of ancient sources, including Augustine, Athanasius, and Gregory of Nazianzus, to affirm the timeless truths of orthodox Christianity. Oden’s goal is to reconnect modern believers with the rich theological tradition that has shaped the church through centuries.
- “The Forgotten Trinity” by James R. White. This book provides a comprehensive defense of the doctrine of the Trinity while addressing the errors of Oneness Pentecostalism. White examines the biblical foundation for the Trinity and critiques Oneness theology’s rejection of the distinct persons in the Godhead.
- “Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century” by Hank Hanegraaff. In this book, Hanegraaff critiques a range of modern theological errors, including Oneness Pentecostalism. He discusses the historical context of the Oneness movement and its departure from orthodox Trinitarian theology.
- “Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity” by Gregory A. Boyd. Boyd, a former Oneness Pentecostal, provides a well-researched critique of Oneness theology from a biblical and historical perspective. The book explores his journey from Oneness beliefs to Trinitarianism and offers a scholarly critique of the movement.
- “The Trinity: Evidence and Issues” by Robert Morey. This resource presents a strong defense of the Trinity and includes sections that refute Oneness theology. Morey provides biblical, historical, and logical arguments against modalism and Oneness Pentecostalism.
- “Against Praxeas” by Tertullian. Written in the early 3rd century, this ancient text refutes modalism, a theological predecessor to Oneness theology. Tertullian defends the doctrine of the Trinity and critiques Praxeas’ modalistic views, which are similar to Oneness beliefs.
- “Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses” by Ron Rhodes. Though primarily aimed at addressing Jehovah’s Witnesses, this book includes sections that defend the doctrine of the Trinity, which is relevant to refuting Oneness Pentecostalism’s similar rejection of Trinitarian theology.
- “God in Three Persons: A Contemporary Interpretation of the Trinity” by Millard J. Erickson. Erickson presents a theological defense of the Trinity while addressing modern challenges, including those posed by Oneness Pentecostalism. This work is useful for understanding the theological nuances of the debate.
- “The Trinity and the Kingdom” by Jürgen Moltmann. This theological work discusses the relationship between the Trinity and the Christian understanding of the Kingdom of God. While not solely focused on Oneness Pentecostalism, Moltmann’s defense of the Trinity indirectly critiques the modalistic tendencies of Oneness theology.
- “The Doctrine of the Trinity” by Gerald Bray. Bray’s book is a comprehensive study of the Trinity in Scripture and church history. It provides a defense of the orthodox doctrine against modalism and Oneness theology, showing how these movements deviate from the early Christian understanding of God.
These resources provide a solid foundation for understanding the biblical and historical reasons why Oneness Pentecostalism is viewed as a departure from orthodox Christian doctrine. Each of these works offers scriptural analysis and theological arguments to defend the Trinity against modalism and other similar errors.
