Monarchians in History

[BobDylan]

Originally Posted by Believer

Lets take one at a time. Of course I already know what you're going to say. You will disagree with what I post and you will present a reason that is invalid.

The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians.

Chap. VI. — Preserve Harmony.

Since therefore I have, in the persons before mentioned, beheld the whole multitude of you in faith and love, I exhort you to study to do all things with a divine harmony,13 while your bishop presides in the place of God, and your presbyters in the place of the assembly of the apostles, along with your deacons, who are most dear to me, and are entrusted with the ministry of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the beginning of time, and in the end was revealed.

According to Ignatius, Jesus Christ was with the Father before the beginning of time, and the end was revealed.


The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians.

Chap. XII. — Exhortation to Various Graces.
For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted.17 It is declared then in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry, and sin not,” (Psa_4:5) and, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Eph_4:26) Happy is he who remembers18 this, which I believe to be the case with you. But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God, and our everlasting High Priest, build you up in faith and truth, and in all meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, forbearance, and purity; and may He bestow on you a lot and portion among His saints, and on us with you, and on all that are under heaven, who shall believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Father, who “raised Him from the dead. (Gal_1:1) Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings, (Comp. 1Ti_2:2) and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, (Mat_5:44) and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in Him.


But may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Son of God.

I don't have a problem with any of the wording here from Ignatius or Polycarp. Both writers emulate the style of writing of the NT writiners. The "Word" was "with" God... and the Word WAS God. The problem here for you is that these early Christians understood the distinction between the humanity of Christ, and the omnipresent spirit that filled the universe. And oneness today believe that distinction. Many of us could easily write similar phrases as you see Polycarp and Ignatius writing, distinguishing between the humanity of Christ, and the omniresent YHWH, but we refrain becuase of the common language and misunderstanding of trinitarian. The key thing to note here in both of the selections you cite, is that niether of them present a "trinity" doctrine, simply a distinction between "father" and "son" (which we understand and agree with).