Modalism
Modalism
is a term applied to the heretical views regarding the Trinity first espoused by Sabellius, a presbyter of Ptolemais, who flourished about the middle of the 3d century. Adopting the notions of the earlier Monarchians, he maintained, in opposition to the doctrine propounded by Origen and his school, that the appellations of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost were only so many different manifestations and names of one and the same divine being. He thus converted the objective and real distinction of persons (a trinity of essence) into a merely subjective and modalistic view (the trinity of manifestation). SEE MONARCHIANS; SEE SABELLIANISM. Compare also the articles SEE HYPOSTASIS and SEE TRINITY.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Modalism
(Lat. modus, mode) A theological doctrine, of the second and third centuries A.D., affirming the unity of substance and personality in God. The Son and the Holy Ghost are but “modes” of God the Father. Also known as Monarchism; adherents of this position were Patripassians or Sabellians. — V.J.B.