Modalism/Oneness

Sabellianism (Modalism) / Oneness:

Sabellianism, also known as Modalism or Oneness theology, is a belief system within early Christian thought that rejects the traditional doctrine of the Trinity. Instead, it teaches that the Alahym is a singular, unified being who reveals Himself in different modes or forms throughout history, rather than existing as three distinct persons. According to this view, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not separate persons but are simply different manifestations or modes of the same Alahym. In this understanding, the same divine being appears in different roles or modes, depending on the context.

The core of Sabellianism/Modalism is the belief in the absolute oneness of Alahym, with the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being seen as temporary or functional manifestations of the one divine essence. For example, the Father is seen as the mode in the Old Testament, the Son as the mode during the life and ministry of the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit as the mode after the resurrection and ascension of the Messiah.

This view contrasts sharply with the traditional Trinitarian doctrine, which holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who share the same divine essence. Sabellianism/Modalism rejects the idea of eternal distinctions within the Godhead, instead emphasizing the unity of Alahym as a singular, indivisible being.

Origins and Development:

Sabellianism originated in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, primarily through the teachings of Sabellius, a Christian theologian from the Roman province of Africa. Sabellius' teachings were seen as a response to what he perceived as the overcomplication of the doctrine of the Trinity, which he believed undermined the unity of Alahym. His ideas were considered heretical by many early Christian leaders and were rejected by the major ecumenical councils, particularly the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.

Despite being labeled heretical by mainstream Christianity, Sabellianism/Modalism continued to have influence in various Christian groups, especially within the Oneness Pentecostal movement, which arose in the early 20th century. Oneness Pentecostals adhere to the belief that Alahym is one singular being who manifests in different roles rather than existing as three distinct persons. They emphasize the oneness of Alahym and reject the traditional doctrine of the Trinity.

Key Beliefs:

1. Oneness of Alahym: Sabellianism teaches that Alahym is a single, indivisible being who manifests in different modes. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separate persons but are different manifestations of the same divine essence.
   
   

2. No Eternal Distinctions: Unlike Trinitarianism, which holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-eternal and distinct persons, Sabellianism denies eternal distinctions within the Godhead. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are seen as temporary roles or modes that the one Alahym assumes at different times.
   
   

3. Rejection of the Trinity: Sabellianism rejects the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who share the same divine essence. Instead, it emphasizes the absolute oneness of Alahym.
   
   

4. Oneness Pentecostalism: Modern Oneness Pentecostalism is a direct descendant of Sabellianism, maintaining the belief in the oneness of Alahym and rejecting the traditional Trinitarian view. Oneness Pentecostals believe that the Messiah (Yahusha) is the full manifestation of the one Alahym, and that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are simply different titles or roles that Alahym assumes.
   
   

Criticism and Controversy:

Sabellianism/Modalism has been widely rejected by mainstream Christian denominations, particularly those that adhere to the doctrine of the Trinity. Critics argue that Sabellianism undermines the biblical understanding of the distinct persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed in Scripture. The doctrine has been condemned as heretical by early church fathers, including Tertullian and Hippolytus, who defended the Trinitarian understanding of God.

Despite this, Sabellianism/Modalism has continued to influence certain Christian groups, especially within the Oneness Pentecostal tradition. These groups maintain that their understanding of Alahym’s oneness is more biblically faithful and protects the unity of God, while rejecting the complexities and perceived contradictions of the traditional Trinitarian doctrine.

To argue that Oneness theology (also known as Modalism) shares elements with Gnosticism and Neoplatonism, we can examine the following points:

1. The Concept of God’s Unity and Emanation:

• Neoplatonism: In Neoplatonism, the concept of a single, transcendent source called "The One" is central. From The One, all other forms of existence emanate in a hierarchical manner. This idea emphasizes a singular, ultimate source from which all things flow.

• Oneness (Modalism): Oneness theology also emphasizes the absolute unity of God, teaching that God is one singular being who manifests in different modes (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). This view can be seen as similar to Neoplatonic emanation, as God is viewed as being both singular and manifesting in different forms or "modes" at different times.

2. The Immanence of God:

• Neoplatonism: In Neoplatonism, the divine is immanent within the world, though it transcends it. The emanations of The One are seen as expressions of the divine that are always connected to the ultimate source.

• Oneness (Modalism): Oneness theology similarly teaches that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not separate persons but different manifestations of the same singular God. This idea of God being immanent in various forms can be compared to Neoplatonic ideas of divine emanations.

3. The Role of Knowledge and Revelation:

• Gnosticism: Gnosticism emphasizes the acquisition of secret or hidden knowledge (gnosis) as the means of salvation. The Gnostics believed that through this hidden knowledge, they could transcend the material world and achieve unity with the divine.

• Oneness (Modalism): While Oneness theology does not explicitly focus on secret knowledge, the idea of understanding God’s singular nature and the revelation of God through the different "modes" (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) can be seen as a form of esoteric understanding. The deeper comprehension of God’s nature and His revelation in different forms could be considered a parallel to Gnostic knowledge.

4. The Nature of God and Divine Manifestation:

• Neoplatonism: In Neoplatonism, divine reality is expressed through a hierarchy of beings or emanations, starting with The One and extending to lower forms of reality. The emanations are not separate entities but expressions of the same underlying divine essence.

• Oneness (Modalism): Oneness theology teaches that God is one being who expresses Himself in three modes: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These modes are not separate persons but are manifestations of the same divine essence. This concept aligns with Neoplatonic thought, where the divine is expressed in different forms but remains one in essence.

5. The Emphasis on a Singular Divine Essence:

• Neoplatonism: The Neoplatonists emphasized the singular nature of the divine, with all emanations ultimately returning to the One. There is a focus on the oneness of the divine essence.

• Oneness (Modalism): Oneness theology also emphasizes the singularity of God’s essence. God is one being who manifests in different modes or forms, and these manifestations are not separate from one another but share the same divine essence.

6. The Relationship Between God and Creation:

• Gnosticism: Gnosticism teaches that the material world is often viewed as a flawed or lower creation, with the ultimate goal being to transcend the material world and return to the divine source.

• Oneness (Modalism): While Oneness theology does not necessarily have a negative view of the material world, it does emphasize the direct involvement of the one God in creation through His manifestations. The focus is on the unity of God in creation, which can be seen as an attempt to reconcile the divine with the material world.

Conclusion:

Oneness theology (Modalism) shares several theological concepts with Gnosticism and Neoplatonism, particularly in the way it views the nature of God as a singular essence that manifests in different forms. While Oneness theology does not fully align with all aspects of Gnosticism or Neoplatonism, its emphasis on the unity of God, divine emanations (in the form of modes), and the immanence of the divine in the world bears resemblance to both philosophical traditions.