Customer Reviews

Jesus Only Churches

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

As the author of the book, I would like to respond briefly to several criticisms in other reviews found here. (By the way, I chose 3 stars as neutral so as not to stand as judge in my own cause.) (1) One review claims that I never respond to the criticism that certain terms of Trinitarian theology are not found in the Bible. Wrong. I do so on p. 38 at outline point b; had the reviewer read carefully, he would have known this. (2) Another review claims that I rarely refer to Scripture. Wrong. There are literally hundreds of Scripture citations, and scores of careful exegetical analyses of Scripture, in the book. Only someone either dishonest or incredibly careless could have made the claim. (3) A reviewer claims that all I do is call my opponents by names and not interact with their arguments. Readers can judge for themselves whether this is true. The book is structured with my opponents' arguments presented first, in their own words, my rebuttals presented next in the same outline structure, and my own arguments for orthodox Trinitarianism presented last.

As a former oneness church member (UPCI), I can honestly say that Beisner does a fabulous job of exposing a heresy that has its roots in ancient modalism/sabellianism. This work does not seek to tackle all of the oneness literature that has ever been published, rather it directly confronts much of the work of the ordained "hero" of the United Pentecostal Church International, David K. Bernard. Even though the oneness doctrine has changed over the years (I was a 3rd generation oneness believer)in order to "duck" attention by cult researchers, Beisner's book offers evidence from the scriptures and from scholarship which has NEVER been legitimately refuted by Bernard or anyone else! It has been a valuable witnessing tool to a movement that relies on extra-biblical revelation rather than the Word of God.

Unlike many of the comments posted concerning this book, I found it to be a well organized, fair, informing representation of Oneness Pentecostal theology. While unusual and somewhat technical in format, this book provides the reader with a strong overview of this particular theological system, sound Biblical arguments against it, and a preparation for interaction with people who believe these doctrines. While some of the reviewers commented that E. Calvin Beisner was unfair, unsound, and condescending in this book, I did not find that to be the case. His representation of Oneness theology is accurate and fair, taken from its main writings; his arguments are logically and Bibically sound and well-articulated; and his tone was one of care rather than one of harshness. I recommend this book to anyone in the Oneness Pentacostal system who wants to see how its arguments stand against Scripture, or anyone who wants to familiarize themselves with this movement and how it relates to God's Word.

For those that are new to the Jesus Only issue this book offers a well written and concise over view of the beliefs of the largest "Oneness" group, the United Pentecostal Church (UPCI). This work is not meant to be an exhaustive rebuttal against every doctrine in the movement. While not agreeing with everything the author writes, there is enough information here to inform the average reader about this movement. It appears that many of the negative reviews are from those in the movement that are responding emotionally to some one who opposes their doctrine.

For a more in-depth treatment of the topic please see Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity by Gregory A. Boyd or A Definitive Look at Oneness Theology: Defending the Tri-Unity of God by Edward L. Dalcour. Dalcour's book is the best I have read on the subject.

Read church history, read theology, pray and seek God and the error of Oneness becomes plain.

Inconsistency is the symptom of a larger disease... heresy.

Grace,
John

This booklet is short, but organized fairly well and could be helpful to those who encounter "Jesus Only" (Oneness Pentecostal) proselytizers. I was somewhat surprised that there was no index of scriptures. In my opinion, an index addition would've made the book much easier to navigate. While the author does deal with most of the favored Oneness proof-texts and organizes them by general topic, you're still forced to scan through his main text to find a particular scripture that's thrown at you. This is time-consuming and makes things needlessly difficult for any would-be Trinitarian apologist. To be fair to Beisner, this format is probably Zondervan's choosing as the format is fairly uniform in their series.

The Statistics research was sloppy and flat wrong at points. Beisner grossly underestimates the numbers of Oneness believers world-wide, bases his numbers on old sources and even mis-reads one of his own sources for statistics. He claims Barrett (Dictionary of Pentecostal & Charismatic Movements) estimates there were 1.4 million Oneness worldwide back in 1988 and projects a little more in 1990. Beisner completely misses the fact that Barrett also lists on the same page a separate category of "Indigenous Oneness" believers, numbering around 4 million at the same time. Thus in reality, Barrett estimates over 5 million total not 1.4 (5 million is the same number Greg Boyd tentatively put forth in his book published several years earlier). Granted this section is probably of limited relevance to most readers but I think it does reflect poorly on Beisner's research skills. It should also be noted that Barrett is by now quite outdated for stats and very incomplete. Studies available to Beisner before "Jesus Only" was published put the total number of OP closer to 18 million worldwide. There's more to be said about this but I'm limited in space here.

Beisner also notes that he depended heavily upon Greg Boyd for insight into witnessing to Oneness Pentecostals. There's nothing wrong with this of course, but it does add to the overall feeling that Beisner hasn't put all that much effort into his work and doesn't really care that much about Oneness Pentecostals.

On the other hand, I should say Beisner does present a good (if cursory) critique of Oneness scripture twisting and gives solid evangelical theological views on the topics (which is his strength). I think this book could be helpful to conservative evangelicals completely unaware of the Oneness movement. It could be a decent, if limited, witnessing tool.

However, those interested in more accurate scholarship and deeper insight into "Jesus Only" theology would be better served by Gregory Boyd's "Oneness Pentecostals & the Trinity" or any of David A. Reed's works (see Reed's articles on Oneness in the "Dictionary of Pentecostal & Charismatic Movements" and "Aspects of Pentecostal Origins" [ed. V. Synan]).

Seems to be from a biased subject ,Mr. Calvin Beisner does not know well the Oneness Pentecostal position. Calvin has been one who has debated with Oneness leaders in the past be it in an unfair debate format on the John Ankerberg show, I say unfair for he an his partner and the moderator Mr. Ankerberg were given 2/3 rds the time slot. I feel Calvin looks at the Oneness position with Trifocals/Trinity view and trys to get the reader to think the Trinity doctrine is true just because he says it is or states it to be . He has no explanation for why he can't find such words in the Bible to support his doctrine e.g persons, 3 persons, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit,Triune,even the word TRINITY, amazingly Beisner believes in the eternal son yet cannot find that word or backing in the scripture, and when he had a debate against a oneness opponet his own partner did not believe in it. So if you want a straw man knocked down then Calvin is your man, if you want to here what the Oneness Pentecostals believe then get thier books or call them at one of there Church's . "A person with a predisposed view is one who will always remain blind in both eyes,deaf in both ears and never tells all the truth or shall we say talks out of both sides of his mouth". by R.J.CAPLINGER THANKS Bob James

Well written, but not well researched. Inaccuratly portrays the Oneness churches. Mistates the Oneness doctrine, and unjustly labels Oneness and a cult

This book was mainly a deceptive one. It's main point was to condemn others, while failing to use Scriptural methods to justify these critical attacks. Instead they relied on traditions (much like they accuse the Catholics of) instead of truth, especially in the baptism issues. It's recycled rhetoric and not much else. Not recommended at all.

Throw in disrepectful as well. I say disrepectful because Beisner has a picture of Christ on the front of his book with the title "Jesus Only Churches" right above the head of Jesus. Why would Beisner use a picture of Christ on the cover of his book while denouncing those he calls 'cultists'? The contents of this book is even more confusing than the cover. Next to the points that Beisner makes, there is a picture of the Bible. Next to the points that those who hold an opposing view, he has a picture of three faces with one face smiling, another face frowning and the third face as really sad and confused. Cheap propaganda from a man who obviously can't prove his points. No where in this book does Beisner answer the question of why there are no such terms like 'second person of the trinity' or 'third person of the trinity' or even the word 'trinity' in the Scripture. Mr. Beisner just brushes those questions aside and reverts to name calling. Poorly, shamelessly and ignorantly written is the best way I can describe this book.

E. Calvin Beisner has written a well-researched, Biblically sound refutation of the Oneness Pentecostal heresy. It seems that only those who are in this movement can fail to see the truth about God's triune nature. They are so predisposed to reject the doctrine of the Trinity with cries of "paganism" and "tritheism" that they are unable to consider Beisner's arguements without bias. I highly recommend this book to others who are attempting to "rescue" loved ones from the heresy of modalism. Of special help in this task, is the "Witnessing Tips" section of the book. I would like to add that I did find the section of the necessity of baptism for salvation somewhat weak. Though I as a mainline Protestant found Beisner's arguements valid and substantiated, I am unsure that such arguements are sufficient to refute the uncompromising view of baptism adhered to in Oneness churches. Rather than setting up a "straw man" on Oneness theology to tear down, Beisner directly quotes Oneness writers and then directly demolishes their theology Biblically. Hopefully, works such as this will contiune to preserve the "faith once delivered to the saints."