Experto Creed

The Polytheistic Heathens Strike Again

On July 29, 2007, Anthony Mangun, Senior Pastor of The Pentecostals of Alexandria in Alexandria, LA, preached a sermon entitled "Miracles are Still Happening." Despite the fact he preaches a name-it-and-claim-it gospel of health and wealth (which I will save for a later post), he briefly touches on Oneness Theology toward the end of his sermon and references a myth Oneness preachers love to promulgate among their congregation: anyone who denies Oneness beliefs believes in three gods. Loosely building on James 2:19 which states, "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe - and shudder," here is a transcript of his remarks:

Anthony Mangun: "Everybody ready? Finish this scripture: 'The Devil believes in...'"
Audience: "One God"
AM: "How many?"
Audience: "One!"
AM: "One God, and what?"
Audience: "Trembles."
AM: "Where did the Devil come from?"
Audience: "Heaven."
AM: "Heaven. Good. Don't you think if there's three up there he'd a told ya he trembles over three? He said but, 'over that one God, I tremble.'"
AM: "How many devils do y'all think there are? One. Well I don't think it takes three gods to whip one devil. I think Jesus is the name that can handle ever demon and devil that there is."

By condemning those who disagree with their particular brand of "Jesus-only" doctrine as polytheistic, preachers like Anthony Mangun teach that all who believe in the trinity believe in three gods. Clearly, if Jesus is his own father and spirit, then those who believe otherwise are no better than the polytheistic, heathen idol worshippers the Israelites were constantly beating off the walls of their cities. In this way, the battle lines become distinctly drawn - the "us versus them" mentality becomes ingrained, and those who adhere to it believe they are being beseiged by the polytheistic, trinitarian, mainstream churches of their communities. Thus, all who disagree with Oneness Theology become ripe for proselyting and evangelizing.

At best, Mangun should admit there are scriptures that do not align with his theology. Under his rationale, Jesus himself was polytheistic (see my post below on John 5). And Mangun's own doctrinally-laden Acts 2 speaks of Jesus being "exalted at the right hand of God" (vs. 33). Hebrews 12:2 reinforces this, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and IS seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Again, Romans 8:34b, "Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who IS at the right hand of God, who indeed IS interceding for us."

Perhaps Anthony Mangun and all who cling to Oneness theology should consider these verses, particularly Romans 8. Jesus WAS raised, IS at the right hand of the Father (how could he possibly be at his own right hand?), and IS interceding for his bride - the church. If Jesus were his own Father, to whom would he be interceding?

If belief in the three personalities of the trinity makes me polytheistic, so be it. Biblical congruence is the most important thing - not a hardsell, dogmatic doctrine.