2007-10-27 13:42:04 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is disingenuous to pretend that Modalism is not merely a subset of Trinitarianism.
Jehovah's Witnesses are entirely prepared to discuss the bible truth that Jesus and Jehovah are two distinct persons, which refutes both philosophies in question.
Ironically, the shaky foundations of trinitarianism rest on dubious misapplications of perhaps ten bible verses. By contrast, entire passages and important bible concepts literally require Jesus the Son to be a separate person from God the Father. Who created Jesus? To whom did Jesus pray? Who resurrected Jesus? At whose right hand does Jesus sit?
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that their worship is a restoration of biblical Christianity, as practiced by the apostles and first century Christians. They recognize Christ himself (and the apostles to a much lesser extent) as the "foundation" of true Christian worship. Of course, the bible teaches that God Himself is the "builder".
(Isaiah 28:16) Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “Here I am laying as a foundation in Zion a stone, a tried stone, the precious corner of a sure foundation.
(Acts 4:10-11) Jesus Christ the Nazarene... This is ‘the stone that was treated by you builders as of no account that has become the head of the corner.’
(Revelation 21:14) The wall of the city also had twelve foundation stones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
(Hebrews 11:10) the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God.
Really, it is the bible rather than any human tradition, catechism, or post-biblical writing which can reveal the truth about Jesus Christ.
Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians; they teach that Christ was and is divine and of the same nature as God. What does the bible teach about Jesus?
Jehovah's Witnesses understand the bible to teach that no salvation occurs without Christ, that accepting Christ's sacrifice is a requirement for true worship, that every prayer must acknowledge Christ, that Christ is the King of God's Kingdom, that Christ is the head of the Christian congregation, that Christ is immortal and above every creature, even that Christ was the 'master worker' in creating the universe!
Jehovah's Witnesses love and respect and honor Christ. However, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the Scriptures quite plainly demonstrate that Jesus and the Almighty are separate distinct persons, and the Almighty created Jesus as His firstborn son.
(Colossians 1:15) the firstborn of all creation
(Mark 10:18) Jesus said to him: 'Why do you call me good? Nobody is good, except one, God.
(Revelation 3:14) the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God
(Philippians 2:5-6) Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God
(John 8:42) Neither have I come of my own initiative at all, but that One sent me forth
(John 12:49) I have not spoken out of my own impulse, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a commandment as to what to tell and what to speak
(John 14:28) I am going my way to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am
(1 Corinthians 15:28) But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him
(Matthew 20:23) this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father
(1 Corinthians 11:3) I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; ...in turn the head of the Christ is God
(John 20:17) I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.
(Deuteronomy 6:4) Jehovah our God is one Jehovah
(1 Corinthians 8:4-6) There is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called "gods," whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many "gods" and many "lords," there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him
Thanks again for an opportunity to share what the bible actually says about the distinct persons of Jesus Christ the Son and Jehovah God the Father!
Learn more!
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050422/
http://watchtower.org/e/20020515/
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
2007-10-28 08:58:36 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nope lol. I've never heard of Modalism doctrine.
Could you explain some more please?
Thanks.
Jimi- if it isn't a biblical teaching, why would we study it :PP
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah God is God Almighty and Jesus is his son while the holy spirit is God's active force.
You'd probably benefit more from asking people who believe in the beliefs you're asking about.
2007-10-27 20:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by Xyleisha 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Modalism denies the distinctiveness of the three persons in the Trinity even though it retains the divinity of Christ.
Both the Trinity and Modalism are unscriptural since no one has seen God. - Jhn 1:18
2007-10-28 18:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by keiichi 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The trinity is the teaching that the Father Son and Holy Spirit are one-co-eternal and co-equal.
Modalism is the doctrine that the Father and the Son are one, with the Holy spirit being God after Christ's ascension.
2007-10-27 20:50:03 · answer #4 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You don't need their explanation. How about Catholic Church HISTORY! In 200 A.D. Sabellius taught that the Father& Son ARE the same person (modalism),,,,.
2007-10-27 21:15:04 · answer #5 · answered by hamoh10 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
we dont believe in either one,
as neither is in the bible.
both are man's feeble attempt to
rationalize or humanize the creator.
good question, tho. many believe in a
modalistic pantheon without knowing it.
gramps
2007-10-27 23:42:41 · answer #6 · answered by grandpa 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Why are you asking them, I dont think they believe either. They think that god is jehovah, jesus is his son(who is a completely seperate individual), and the holy spirit is jehovahs power(not an individual, or something like that.).
Christianity is completely screwed up, but Jehovah's Witnesses take the cake.
2007-10-27 20:49:07 · answer #7 · answered by Psychedelic Pantheist 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋
That's a good question for them but they haven't studied that one yet in their Kingdom Ministry School yet, It might make sense to them?
2007-10-27 20:55:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋