modaalist

Modaalist is a term that may refer to a person who adheres to modalism, a theological position regarding the nature of the Godhead. It is most often encountered in discussions about early Christian doctrinal controversies. The more common spelling in English is modalist, and modaalist is regarded as a less common variant or a misspelling.

In theological usage, modalism holds that God presents or manifests in different modes or aspects—traditionally identified as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—rather than existing as three distinct persons within the Godhead. This view contrasts with the doctrine of the Trinity, which affirm three coequal persons in one divine essence. Throughout church history, modalism has been debated and largely rejected by mainstream Christian traditions, which emphasize both the oneness of God and the distinct personal relations among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Scholarly discussions of modalism often focus on historical sources, such as early patristic writings and the concerns of church councils, to understand why the doctrine was deemed heretical by orthodox formulations.

Outside of historical theology, the term is infrequently used and can appear as a misspelling or variant in texts discussing theology, philosophy of religion, or doctrinal surveys. There is no widely recognized movement, discipline, or field known as “modaalism” distinct from modalism. When encountered, the intended meaning is usually clarified by context or by consulting the spelling modalist.