Theopologetics

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Michael Burgos, creator of the Grassroots Apologetics blog, discussing Oneness Pentecostals and how to witness to them.

Music

• Phillips, Craig and Dean, In Christ Alone, from the Let the Worshipers Arise album, 2004

Promoted Resources

• The Preterist Podcast, with Dee Dee Warren.
  • Check out the episode I guest-hosted, "Kicking Some Left Behind Pt. 5--Jesus, the Not-So Master Communicator."
  • I am also a guest author Dee Dee's The Preterist Blog, and she has a ton of eschatological study material available at The Preterist Site.
• Michael's Grassroots Apologetics blog
  • Michael's article, "An Examination and Refutation of Modal Communication"
• TheologyWeb for online Christian debate
  • Michael's TheologyWeb nickname: MichaelB
  • My TheologyWeb nickname: Chris D
• Dr. James White's Alpha and Omega Ministries
  • "The Trinity, the Definition of Chalcedon, and Oneness Theology" by Dr. White
• Let Us Reason Ministries
  • List of Oneness Pentecostal articles
• A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology, by Edward Dalcour

Terminology

• Oneness Pentecostalism: a grouping of denominations and believers within Pentecostal Christianity, deriving its name from the teaching that there is one God, a singular spirit who manifests himself in many different ways, including as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rather than one God existing as three separate, eternal and coequal persons or identities.
• Sabellianism: also known as modalism, an ancient heresy similar to Oneness theology which taught that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or aspects of one God, as perceived by the believer, rather than three distinct persons in God Himself.
• Chalcedonian Christology: the orthodox view pronounced at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451 which holds that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, an entirely human nature and an entirely divine nature.
• Nestorian Christology: the heretical view advanced by Nestorius but condemned at Chalcedon, holding that within Jesus are two distinct persons, one divine, one human, rather than a single human with both a divine nature and a human nature.
• Unitarianism: the belief that God is one and only one, both in being and in person; in contrast with Trinitarianism which teaches that God is one being in three eternal, co-equal persons.
• Tritheism: a belief in three gods, which is a mischaracterization of Triniarianism

Strategy

• Red Flags to Watch For
  • One who claims to be an "Apostolic" Christian, or who claims his church is an "Apostolic" church
  • One who explains that the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit are "manifestations" or "modes" of God
• Questions to Ask
  • "What kind of Christian are you?" or "What denomination of church do you attend?"
  • "Who is God?"
  • "What must I do to be saved?"
  • "Are you living up to the standards of holiness and the Law of God?" (tug at their conscience)

Biblical References

• John 1:1-2
• John 17:5
• Philippians 2:5-11
• Colossians 1:16-17

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