We seem to be a little short on eyes…
SvigeLand: Evangelical Modalism
I agree with him, but he doesn’t answer this hard question: Why are evangelicals modalists? Is it because of, or despite mainstream trinitarian doctrine, as taught in evangelical seminaries? I suspect the former…
Technorati Tags: modalism, Sabellianism, modalist
Comments 4
I would assume it’s confusion from the incomprehensability of the doctrine and fear of committing the clear heresy of polytheism that leads people to retreat to modalism. “Which part of God are we talking about?” “I dunno, so we’d better just say God.”
If we’re talking about the average layperson, I doubt he’s read any apologetics texts. In addition, the Scriptural references to the actions or “duties” of each Person of the Godhead are rarely listed all in once place for easy study.
I’ve gone to the brink of both tritheism and materialism myself, in my theological explorations. I have a theory that I believe God gave me to answer my personal questions on the doctrine of the Trinity; as I am a curious science-minded individual, I dislike being told something is simply unknowable; that’s what my own blog is about. (I’ll refrain from detail here, but your post has inspired a response; I should be posting it later today.)
Posted 19 Apr 2009 at 5:57 pm ¶Hi BlueNight,
I think you’re right – when people are concerning to avoid polytheism, and uphold monotheism, they tend to go for modalism. Although many prefer obfuscation.
Many apologetics materials I’ve seen actually seem to imply modalism, in the form that the Three of the Trinity are all one God and one being, and since God is a person, one person as well. Many apologetics works *say* we should stay away from modalism, but (1) they usually mean only Sabellianism, and (2) saying it and doing it are two different things, and (3) intending to avoid something and actually avoiding it are two different things.
“God gave me to answer my personal questions on the doctrine of the Trinity” OK – I hope so. If I see this proposal, I’ll test it by the two light God’s given us: Scripture and reason.
Posted 20 Apr 2009 at 1:14 pm ¶Is this Onion article modalist?
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=199261370456&h=iTP3E&u=QzKOp&ref=mf
Posted 22 Apr 2009 at 7:08 pm ¶Hmm… read it, but I don’t see modalism. Just some really lame attempts at humor. And my standards on humor are low!
Posted 26 Apr 2009 at 5:23 am ¶Post a Comment