Christian theological doctrine
Monarchianism
is a doctrine that emphasizes
God
as one indivisible being,
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
in direct contrast to
Trinitarianism
, which defines the
Godhead
as three coeternal,
consubstantial
,
co-immanent
, and equally divine
hypostases
.
History
[
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]
During the
patristic period
, Christian theologians attempted to clarify the relationship between the
Father
,
Son
and
Holy Spirit
.
Monarchianism developed in the 2nd century and persisted further into the 3rd century.
[1]
[2]
Monarchianism
(from the Greek
monarkhia
, meaning "ruling of one," and
-ismos
, meaning "practice or teaching") stresses the absolute, uncompromising unity of God in contrast to the doctrine of the Trinity,
[1]
[6]
which is often lambasted as veiled
tritheism
by
nontrinitarian
Christians and other monotheists.
[7]
Monarchians were opposed by
Logos
theologians (
Tertullian
,
Hippolytus
,
Clement of Alexandria
, and
Origen of Alexandria
). The Trinitarian view gained prominence and was adopted at the
First Council of Constantinople
in 381.
[8]
Monarchianism was considered a
heresy
after the 4th century.
[2]
Types
[
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]
Two types of monarchianism were propounded.
[2]
Adoptionism
(or
dynamic monarchianism
or
Dynamism
) holds that God is one being, above all else, wholly indivisible, and of one nature. It holds that the Son was not co-eternal with the Father, and that
Jesus Christ
was essentially granted godhood (adopted) for the plans of God and for his own perfect life and works. Different variations of Dynamism hold that Jesus was "adopted" either at the time of his
baptism
or his
ascension
. Notable adherents included
Artemon
,
Beryllus of Bostra
, a third-century bishop who debated with
Origen
,
Paul of Samosata
, a
bishop of Antioch
, and
Theodotus of Byzantium
.
[3]
Modalistic monarchianism
(or Modalism) considers God to be one while appearing and working through the different "modes" of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Following this view, all the Godhead is understood to dwell in the person of Jesus from the
incarnation
.
[9]
The terms "Father" and "Son" are then used to describe the distinction between the
transcendence
of God and the incarnation. Lastly, since God is understood as a Spirit in the context of the Gospel of John,
[10]
it is held that the
Holy Spirit
should not be understood as a separate entity but rather as a mere descriptor of God's action. Notable adherents included
Noetus
,
Praxeas
, and
Sabellius
, hence why the view is commonly called
Sabellianism
. Nevertheless, Sabellius's writings did not survive, so the little known about his beliefs is from secondary sources.
The name "Monarchian" properly does not strictly apply to the Adoptionists, or Dynamists, as they (the latter) "did not start from the monarchy of God, and their doctrine is strictly Christological".
[11]
See also
[
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]
References
[
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]
- ^
a
b
c
Gerber, Simon (2018). "Monarchianism". In Hunter, David G.; van Geest, Paul J. J.; Lietaert Peerbolte, Bert Jan (eds.).
Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity Online
.
Leiden
and
Boston
:
Brill Publishers
.
doi
:
10.1163/2589-7993_EECO_SIM_00002261
.
ISSN
2589-7993
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Encyclopædia Britannica:
Monarchianism
- ^
a
b
Monarchians
at Catholic Encyclopedia, newadvent.org
- ^
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005
ISBN
978-0-19-280290-3
):
Monarchianism
- ^
Tuggy, Dale (2020).
"Trinity"
.
The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University.
- ^
di Berardino, Angelo; Studer, B (2014).
Encyclopedia of ancient Christianity
. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
ISBN
9780830829439
.
- ^
The SCM Press A-Z of Patristic Theology
, entry
Monarchianism
,
p. 227
- ^
Kurian, George (2011).
The encyclopedia of Christian civilization
. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Ltd.
ISBN
9781405157629
.
- ^
"Bible Gateway passage: John 4:24 - King James Version"
.
Bible Gateway
.
- ^
Catholic Encyclopedia - Monarchians
Archived
2013-01-29 at the
Wayback Machine
Sources
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]
External links
[
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]