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A Wave of MODALISM...

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by robycop3, Jan 7, 2010.

  1. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    Have you noticed lately that there's a wave of MODALISM cropping up in some Baptist circles. Modalism is the false doctrine that God is but one Personage, manifesting Himself in various "modes" as the occasion demands. (This doctrine is also called Sabellianism, after a Roman priest who taught this garbage.) This is in contrast to the plainly-taught Biblical doctrine of the HOLY TRINITY, that is, God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit are each a separate, distinct Personage, while at the same time being Members of the one Godhead.

    We should be aware that more than one person claiming to be a Christian is a modalist, and it sometimes takes some prodding to get'em outta their closets. It's sad indeed to see this largely-PENTECOSTAL false doc being picked up by some Baptists.

    Let us not forget that Satan has a bottomless bagga trix, and if one doesn't work, he always has another. WE are no match for him. ONLY GOD can overcome him. And this modalism junk is just another one of the devil's trix.
     
  2. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Can you document this trend? I haven't seen it amongst Baptists.
     
  3. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    I have not seen this either.
     
  4. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I was not aware of this in Baptist churches. What makes you say this, and are the people you are speaking of claiming to be Christian but who are really modalists public figures or pastors?

    I have been aware for the past few years of a downgrading of the Trinity and the tendency to say things like, "Well, no one really understands the Trinity so it doesn't really matter." That trend disturbs me.

    This was not helped by "The Shack," which contained some aberrant/heretical statements concerning the Trinity.

    I'd really like to know how you are seeing this.
     
  5. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    I have seen it on a coupla boards where I am active in combatting the KJVO doctrine. Several KJVOs who claimta be Baptists are Modalists. Here's a sample thread:
    http://finalauthority48270.yuku.com/topic/9680

    Now, the dudes involved don't claimtabee Baptists in that thread, but they do in other threads they posted a few years back.
     
  6. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Is this your wave?
     
  7. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    This is my wave....:wavey:
     
  8. Andy T.

    Andy T. Active Member

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    I have not seen any outright modalists who know what they are teaching, but I have witnessed some Christians (and Baptists) who do not have a solid understanding of the Trinity and will often slip into modalistic descriptions when discussing the Godhead. But this more sloppy theology than outright rebellion against true Trinitarian doctrine.
     
  9. drfuss

    drfuss New Member

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    Largely-Pentecostal false doctrine? Have you checked this out from the websites of the larger pentesostal denominations?

    I think the smaller ONENESS Pentecostal Denomination believes something like this; but they are listed as a cult by SBC and the other pentecostal denominations. We should be careful and not broad brush a whole group based on what a few people believe.
     
  10. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Yes, like the water, ice, steam model
    Or the egg model...

    I personally like the 3-D model.. but even it falls apart..
     
  11. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Every human analogy falls short when stretched. Even St.Patrick used the three-leaf clover,,,,,and then they discovered a 4-leaf clover!

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  12. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I don't see the trend of modalism. Maybe we're being too sensitive to minor fluctations....in the force (sorry had to add it.)

    Actually I'll toss out that too often our people try too hard and explain the Trinity, the most complicated theological topic, wrongly. Often they don't understand why they're wrong. While it isn't an excuse, it almost completely falls on us as leaders. When was the last time you heard a good message on the Trinity.

    I read, recently I think, a quote that pointed out that as we try to better talk through and understand the doctrine of the Trinity we often fall into more and more heresy...something like that.
     
  13. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Many Pentecostals are not oneness believers. The Church of God and Assembly of God do not adhere to this false doctrine. If I am not mistaken T.D. Jakes is oneness as is Phillips, Craig and Dean. So, there are some big names who adhere to this doctrine but, non-the-less, are popular among many evangelicals.
     
  14. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    The only time I've ever heard of it was here on the BB. I don't think I've ever met anyone who beleived it, even some pentecostal friends we used to ahve.
     
  15. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    Same here, I haven't seen it either, and I've been a Baptist for nearly 47 years.
     
  16. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

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    I assumed the OP was talking about Oneness Pentecostals, but maybe not.

    I totally agree with Sag38 above. The popularity of T D Jakes among some Christians really bothers me.

    Philips, Craig, and Dean are or have been ministers in Oneness churches. Personally, I would not want to listen to their music, much less buy it.
     
  17. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    This is exactly what I have seen.

    My wife was raised as a functional modalist. Not our of rebellion against true trinitarianism, she was just taught an improper view of it.


    To anyone who is interested in this subject, I would suggest the book the forgotten trinity It really helped me out a lot.
     
  18. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    One thing to note is that I don't know of any baptists that claim to be modalists but many are.
    many think they are trinitarians but are actually modalists out of ignorance.
     
  19. robycop3

    robycop3 Well-Known Member
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    I'd say that's the case with the ones I've been corresponding with. Several of them claimed to be fundies several years back, all the while trying to defend the KJVO myth. However, when I, and a few others began denouncing a modalist who refuses to admit his modalism, some of the others came outta their closets to defend that false doctrine.

    I am amazed that those folx could be KJVO & modalist at the same time! The KJV clearly shows that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each a separate, distinct Personage, while at the same time being Members of the one Godhead. How can they so passionately defend a book they don't fully believe?

    But I've always said that having one false doctrine keeps a "foot in the door" of the mind to allow other false dox easy entry, so I see that coming to pass in these folx.

    But we might be surprised if we query other Baptists to discover how many DO believe in modalism to some degree! I hope this isn't true, but with the wave of hooey from Satan always in the air, I'm afraid it's quite possible.
     
  20. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    Roby, and the irony is that 1 John 5:7 is one of the biggies they claim to show KJV superiority.

    There used to be a KJVO here that was a modalist that claimed the first commandment only was talking about the Father and not Jesus.
    He denied being a modalist but he was just ignorant, and even more arrogant.
     
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