Does Oneness theology (Modalism) teach a "sock puppet" view of God's nature?

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Is the "sock puppet" analogy of Oneness theology a fair representation?

  • Yes

    Votes: 6 40.0%
  • No

    Votes: 7 46.7%
  • I don't know

    Votes: 2 13.3%

  • Total voters
    15
May 29, 2018
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Right..a Person has a mind and a will, and there are three Persons yet one Being (Essence).

We are not accustomed to using the word "being" like this.

Even a rock has a being, even though it has no personality. A rock's being is what a rock is made of. An individual rock is made of a lump of quartz, for example.

I am not implying God is "made of" anything, though...he is Spirit, and that is his being. He is not a created thing.
I would like to reiterate again, is that One Spirit has 3 minds? By the way, I am not asking you about one BEING has 3 or 1 mind/s
 

UnitedWithChrist

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Is there really no conflict? Why did Jesus say the Son does not know His second coming but only the Father? There's a time Jesus prayed three times to let this cup of calvary be not happened, but later he said let your will be done Father...
Like I said, Jesus is both God and man. The two natures did not always communicate with each other. So, as a man, he could certainly say that he did not know the time of the second coming. Regarding the will of Jesus, as a man he was totally dependent on the Father, and he had a will that wanted to avoid the pain of the Cross, while at the same time submitting himself to the Father. He desired pleasing the Father more than himself.

One must also think about the fact that Jesus was meant to be the "ideal man". He was the Second Adam, as Romans 5 says. He is the perfect role model for a holy man. So, there are some aspects of his deity that aren't going to be paraded out in front of men, because it wasn't his mission to exalt himself in this way at his first coming.
 

UnitedWithChrist

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I would like to reiterate again, is that One Spirit has 3 minds? By the way, I am not asking you about one BEING has 3 or 1 mind/s
Yes, the one Spirit (essence, being) has three minds, if you want to phrase it that way.

When I say "one Spirit" I am speaking distinctly about the Triune God, not just the Person of the Holy Spirit. That must be understood.
 

UnitedWithChrist

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I rather trust the Apostle's Creed than the later creeds.
Many Christians believe the first seven ecumenical councils and their creeds are sound.

I don't agree with every single comment regarding all seven ecumenical councils, but many Christians use these first seven as their standard.
 
May 29, 2018
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The Son had two different natures.

He was fully God and fully man. These two natures are "connected" via the hypostatic union.

As God, the Son was omniscient, but as man, he was not.

He was completely dependent upon the Father.

This is a rough analogy, but suppose I moved to another country and wanted to learn what it is like to be a person from this country. Suppose I could turn off my ability to understand my native language, and totally used the language of this country.

This would be a similar concept. I am not saying that Jesus never accessed his divine nature, but in essence, the idea is that he did not access the divine nature. The Father worked through Him, and he relied on the Father.

Jesus did not know the day of his return, although the Father did. This is because Jesus voluntarily limited himself during the Incarnation.

There are individuals who believe that he totally emptied himself of the divine nature, and was only a man during the Incarnation. This view is called the "kenotic Jesus". I do not hold this view. I don't believe that he totally emptied himself, but that he voluntarily limited himself with regards to his divine power.

Here's a verse the kenotic Jesus people would use:

Philippians 2:5-8 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
(ESV Strong's)

I do not think that they are correct on this, though. I believe he limited himself in terms of his divine nature. And this is the more orthodox view within evangelical Christianity.

Regarding my position, I would point to this verse:

John 5:17-18 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” 18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God. (ESV Strong's)

Jesus was claiming that he and the Father work continually on the Sabbath. What was he talking about? The Jews knew that God did not rest on the Sabbath, because they attributed the maintenance of the creation to God, including births and deaths. Embedded within Jesus' remark was that both he and the Father are continually working, and have always been working, all the time. This points to Jesus' identity as YHVH, the Triune God.

The Jews knew what he was saying. In essence, he was claiming to be the Triune God. That is why they were enraged.

I see other hints that Jesus did not become "only a man" as the kenotic Jesus claim indicates, but that he retained a dual nature from the Incarnation up to now. He is the unique God-man.
You only tell me that Jesus that he did not access the divine nature of the Father worked through Him, and he relied on the Father. Now, where is the divine nature of the "God the Son", cannot "God the Son" be relied on by Jesus to know everything and follow the will of Father immediately? So that Jesus will not attempt 3 times to refuse the cup of calvary.
 

UnitedWithChrist

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UnitedWithChrist what my analyzation regarding this above my quote passage, the distinction of the Son and the Father during the Incarnation, the Son is subordinate while the Father is superior as God. So we can see that there is no co-equal existence of both because the one is subordinate human and the other one superior deity Spirit. The one did not know and refused the cup calvary but later followed the will of the Father and while the other one knows everything and his will be followed. How's that UnitedWithChrist?
Subordination is in terms of role, not essence.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exhibit subordination of role, but there is only one Being or Essence.

Therefore, they are co-equal and co-essential.

There is a difference between subordination of role, and subordination of essence.

From behaviors within the Triune God as exhibited in Scripture, the Son and Spirit are subordinate to the Father, and the Spirit is subordinate to the Son.

So, no, I would not agree with your summary. The Son retained a dual nature, being both God and man. He was subordinate in terms of role, which was perfectly appropriate. This exhibits the order that is present within the Triune God. Subordination of role does not translate into subordination of essence.

For example, my father is superior to me in terms of role, but in terms of essence, we are the same: human. Same thing with my pastor. He is superior to me in terms of role, but in terms of essence, we are the same: human.

Additionally, the Son never lost his divine nature...he acquired an additional nature. He was both man and God.
 
May 29, 2018
577
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Yes, the one Spirit (essence, being) has three minds, if you want to phrase it that way.

When I say "one Spirit" I am speaking distinctly about the Triune God, not just the Person of the Holy Spirit. That must be understood.
It is not clear to me what you are saying about the HS, is the Spirit of the HS is distinct to the one Spirit of God triune? If the HS upon me, that it means it is not the One Spirit of God triune is in me?
 

UnitedWithChrist

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You only tell me that Jesus that he did not access the divine nature of the Father worked through Him, and he relied on the Father. Now, where is the divine nature of the "God the Son", cannot "God the Son" be relied on by Jesus to know everything and follow the will of Father immediately? So that Jesus will not attempt 3 times to refuse the cup of calvary.
He didn't attempt to refuse the cup. He asked whether there was another way.

It was the will of the Son to please the Father, and that was his ultimate will.

The exact nature of the Incarnation and the Triune God relating to this question is not something I can state with authority. It is very complex.

If one wants to claim Jesus was a mere man, though, that moves one into the category of heresy. There are explicit statements to the contrary.
 
May 29, 2018
577
19
18
Subordination is in terms of role, not essence.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exhibit subordination of role, but there is only one Being or Essence.

Therefore, they are co-equal and co-essential.

There is a difference between subordination of role, and subordination of essence.

From behaviors within the Triune God as exhibited in Scripture, the Son and Spirit are subordinate to the Father, and the Spirit is subordinate to the Son.

So, no, I would not agree with your summary. The Son retained a dual nature, being both God and man. He was subordinate in terms of role, which was perfectly appropriate. This exhibits the order that is present within the Triune God. Subordination of role does not translate into subordination of essence.

For example, my father is superior to me in terms of role, but in terms of essence, we are the same: human. Same thing with my pastor. He is superior to me in terms of role, but in terms of essence, we are the same: human.

Additionally, the Son never lost his divine nature...he acquired an additional nature. He was both man and God.
How about God that knows everything, is that part of the role of the 2nd of Trinity not to know his second coming? How can be God if he does not knows everything?
 

UnitedWithChrist

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It is not clear to me what you are saying about the HS, is the Spirit of the HS is distinct to the one Spirit of God triune? If the HS upon me, that it means it is not the One Spirit of God triune is in me?
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Persons. However, they are co-essential. They share the same essence.

Therefore, if the Holy Spirit dwells in a man, then in essence, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are indwelling this person through the mediation of the Holy Spirit.

This is why Galatians 2:20 refers to Christ being in the person. There are other Scriptures relating the same teaching about the Father.

One can also prove the Triune nature of God by Scriptures which state that the Father resurrected Christ, the Holy Spirit resurrected Christ, and Christ resurrected himself.
 

UnitedWithChrist

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How about God that knows everything, is that part of the role of the 2nd of Trinity not to know his second coming? How can be God if he does not knows everything?
I already told you he has two natures.

As God, he knew the time of his second coming.

As man, he did not know the time of his second coming.

I hope this is not rude, but I am wondering if you belong to an organization that denies the Trinity or the deity of Christ. I know that there are many such organizations in Philippines including Iglesia Ni Cristo.

If you belong to them, I suggest that you listen to the debate between James White and Joe Ventilacion. It is on Youtube. Dr. White soundly addressed his claims.

 

UnitedWithChrist

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It is not clear to me what you are saying about the HS, is the Spirit of the HS is distinct to the one Spirit of God triune? If the HS upon me, that it means it is not the One Spirit of God triune is in me?
I would distinguish between the Essence or Being of God, which is Spirit, and the person of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit of God shares the same essence or Being with the Father and Son, but the Spirit in the sense I am using it, as opposed to the Holy Spirit, is the essence or being of the Triune God.
 
May 29, 2018
577
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He didn't attempt to refuse the cup. He asked whether there was another way.

It was the will of the Son to please the Father, and that was his ultimate will.

The exact nature of the Incarnation and the Triune God relating to this question is not something I can state with authority. It is very complex.

If one wants to claim Jesus was a mere man, though, that moves one into the category of heresy. There are explicit statements to the contrary.
Let us see what is written...
  • Mark 14:36: And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (ESV)
  • Luke 22:42: "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
It is clear that Jesus asking to remove the cup of calvary, He is not asking for another way. It is the will of the Son to please, I can agree but it is not well of the Son the cup of calvary but the Father's? TRULY, JESUS NOT ONLY A MERE MAN, HE IS REALLY GOD, DO YOU KNOW WHY? Well, you did not answer yet where is God the Son that Jesus can rely on?
 
May 29, 2018
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I already told you he has two natures.

As God, he knew the time of his second coming.

As man, he did not know the time of his second coming.

I hope this is not rude, but I am wondering if you belong to an organization that denies the Trinity or the deity of Christ. I know that there are many such organizations in Philippines including Iglesia Ni Cristo.

If you belong to them, I suggest that you listen to the debate between James White and Joe Ventilacion. It is on Youtube. Dr. White soundly addressed his claims.

I am not INC, because I believe Jesus is truly God!
 

UnitedWithChrist

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How about God that knows everything, is that part of the role of the 2nd of Trinity not to know his second coming? How can be God if he does not knows everything?
I think you can understand what I have already presented if you want to.

Jesus has two natures: glorified man and God.

As man during the incarnation, he had to learn. He did not know everything. He was dependent upon the Father. He experienced humanity. Through experiencing humanity, he qualified as the high priest of believers, and provided a perfect example of what Adam should have been, which is what believers should be like, if they are being conformed to the image of Christ.

As God he was the Second Person of the Triune God. He continued to uphold all things through the power of his mighty hand, perh Hebrews 1. The Triune God did not change, nor can he change.

Exactly how those two truths work together is not precisely defined, but it is taught in Scripture. It is up to the real believer to acknowledge this.

If you want to tell me precisely what group you are representing, though, I'd be glad to provide a critique of it and its doctrinal problems.
 
May 29, 2018
577
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I would distinguish between the Essence or Being of God, which is Spirit, and the person of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit of God shares the same essence or Being with the Father and Son, but the Spirit in the sense I am using it, as opposed to the Holy Spirit, is the essence or being of the Triune God.
Confusing, pls further elaborate me the difference of Spirit as essence and Spirit as being?
 
May 29, 2018
577
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I think you can understand what I have already presented if you want to.

Jesus has two natures: glorified man and God.

As man during the incarnation, he had to learn. He did not know everything. He was dependent upon the Father. He experienced humanity. Through experiencing humanity, he qualified as the high priest of believers, and provided a perfect example of what Adam should have been, which is what believers should be like, if they are being conformed to the image of Christ.

As God he was the Second Person of the Triune God. He continued to uphold all things through the power of his mighty hand, perh Hebrews 1. The Triune God did not change, nor can he change.

Exactly how those two truths work together is not precisely defined, but it is taught in Scripture. It is up to the real believer to acknowledge this.

If you want to tell me precisely what group you are representing, though, I'd be glad to provide a critique of it and its doctrinal problems.
You tell that He is dependent God the Father, where is now the "God the Son" he can rely on?
 

UnitedWithChrist

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You tell that He is dependent God the Father, where is now the "God the Son" he can rely on?
I'm not sure what you are asking.

I believe the Son is eternally subordinate in terms of role. This does not translate to subordination of nature, though. The Father and Son share the same nature.