What is Modalism and is it practiced today?

Answer 1

Modalism is the same as Sabellinism. "This is the nti-Trinitarian teaching of the ancient Sabellius, that the Father, Son, and Spirit do not exist at the same time as three Persons in one nature (as in Trinitarianism), but as three successive ways in which the uni-personal God has manifested himself historically: first as Father, then as the Son, then as the Holy Spirit. The view is called Modalism because the three are not persons, but three successive modes or fashions in which the uni-personal God has manifested himself. It is called Monarchianism when the stress is upon the oneness inGod which this antithreeness view of God makes possible." (p. 465, "Beacon Dictionary of Theology") In my 50+ years of working with and exposure to many religious groups around the country, I have found one informal group who worships this way, once.