Author: billb

Do you agree with a modalistic view of the Trinity?

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“Modalism is heretical, a misguided and unscriptural attempt by the finite human mind to understand and systematize the mysterious divine Trinity.”

Certainly not! Modalism is heretical, a misguided and unscriptural attempt by the finite human mind to understand and systematize the mysterious divine Trinity. Modalism teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are merely three temporary modes or forms of activity through which God manifests Himself in time. The most common form of modalism claims that the Father’s existence ended with the Son’s coming and that the Son ceased to exist when the Spirit came. Thus, according to modalistic thought, the Father, Son, and Spirit do not exist simultaneously and eternally. This view, of course, is contrary to the pure biblical revelation of the Triune God.

Like many others throughout church history who have sought to know and teach the truth concerning the Trinity, we have been the target of unfair and unwarranted criticism. We have always endeavored to faithfully represent both aspects of God’s triune (three-one) existence as presented in Scripture: He is revealed to be both eternally three and eternally one. However, statements emphasizing either aspect, taken in isolation, can easily be misrepresented, as some have done regarding our teaching.

…the local churches, unlike modalists, believe in the eternal coexistence and coinherence of the Three of the Godhead.
“Even in God’s move to carry out man’s salvation and fulfill His eternal purpose, the Three of the Godhead are distinct in function yet never separate in Their being.”

We reiterate, clearly and emphatically, that the local churches, unlike modalists, believe in the eternal coexistence and coinherence of the three of the Godhead; that is, we believe that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all coexist from eternity past to eternity future, and all mutually coinhere, or indwell one another. Even in God’s move to carry out man’s salvation and fulfill His eternal purpose, the Three of the Godhead are distinct in function yet never separate in Their being. This means that in every step of God’s work of creation, salvation, and consummation of His purpose, the Three of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are fully involved.

In summary, our orthodoxy concerning the Triune God must be determined by measuring our teaching against the pure Word of God. When our writings are considered fairly and objectively in the light of Scripture, it is evident that we do not hold a modalistic view of the Trinity, but a view that is altogether according to the balanced, twofold revelation of the pure Word of God.

For more information, please see:

Is your view of the Trinity scriptural?

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The teachings of the local churches regarding the Trinity are based solely upon the pure revelation of the Word of God. We believe that:

In summary, we believe in the Triune God. More specifically, we believe that He is both one and three; that each of the Three is fully God and is eternal; that the Three of the Godhead coexist simultaneously and eternally and coinhere inseparably; and that the Three, each distinct though never separate, exist as one unique God.

In affirming these basic characterizations regarding the Trinity, we realize that we can be at best only minimally descriptive. The trinity of God is profoundly mysterious, and as Martin Luther once remarked, “If reason disturbs you here and questions arise…: Are there, then, two gods? Answer: There is only one God, and still there is the Father and the Son. How is this possible? Respond with humility: I do not know….”

“Our understanding of the Trinity must be determined not by the inclinations of our natural curiosities, but by simply and absolutely embracing the manner in which the Trinity is revealed in the New Testament.”

Our understanding of the Trinity must be determined not by the inclinations of our natural curiosities, but by simply and absolutely embracing the manner in which the Trinity is revealed in the New Testament. The Bible declines to explain to us exactly how it is that God can be three and yet one. In fact, while references to the Trinity permeate the writings of the New Testament authors, they were never so systematic in their presentation. To the apostles, the Trinity was not a subject of unimpassioned study. The Triune God to them was real and living, richly and vibrantly pervading their thought, their consciousness, their writings, and no doubt, their Christian life and church life.

It is in this same spirit that we wish to consider and present the subject of the Trinity. The Triune God is not merely to be studied, but even the more, to be experienced, enjoyed, and extolled. The Triune God is the source, the means, and indeed the very content of the believers’ experience of salvation. In the New Testament age, God operates in His Trinity—not to become an object of analysis or contemplation, but to graciously reach sinful man in Christ, regenerating and transforming him as the Spirit that man may experience God in His Trinity as his full salvation. Paul’s final blessing to the Corinthian believers unveils God’s marvelous and mysterious threefold visitation to man in His Trinity: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Cor. 13:14).

For more information concerning our view of the Trinity, please visit these websites:

Welcome

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Are you seeking information about the “local churches”? This website provides brief answers to some of the most common questions asked regarding the local churches. Additional questions and answers will be provided in the future.

For other websites providing more information about the local churches, see the “To Learn More” page. Questions, comments, and fellowship are welcomed from any who desire sincere dialogue or inquiry regarding the teachings and practices of the local churches. You are invited to contact us at contact@localchurchesfaq.org