What is Patripassianism?

Answer

Many of the heresies that arose in the early church resulted from individuals either overemphasizing or underemphasizing various aspects of the Godhead. One false view regarding the Trinity was Patripassianism, which believed that God the Father suffered and died on the cross alongside God the Son, or more accurately, that the Father suffered as the Son. The term Patripassianism literally translates to “Father’s suffering.”

Patripassianism is closely associated with Modalistic Monarchianism and Sabellianism, as they all reject the distinct personhood of the Father, Son, and Spirit, instead teaching that God is one Person who reveals Himself in three different modes. Essentially, Patripassianism asserts that God the Father, in the act of the Incarnation, became His own Son.

Around AD 153, Justin Martyr wrote against those “who assert that the Son is the Father,” clearly addressing Patripassianism (First Apology, ch. 63). Other early Christian leaders who opposed the heresy of Patripassianism include Tertullian, Origen, Athanasius, and Chrysostom.

Patripassianism continues to surface today. The popular novel (and movie) The Shack promotes the error of Patripassianism, among other false teachings. At one point, the protagonist, Mack, accuses Papa (the Father God figure, depicted as a woman) of being indifferent to people’s suffering. In response, Papa rolls up her sleeves and reveals to Mack the nail marks on her wrists from her crucifixion. According to The Shack, the Father understands suffering because he (or she?) endured it alongside the Son. This is Patripassianism.

Patripassianism presents an unscriptural interpretation of the relationship among the Persons of the Trinity, effectively denying the distinct Persons (plural) and asserting only one Person within the Godhead. The Bible teaches the individual personhood of all three co-eternal, co-equal Members of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Spirit. The very title Son of God implies a Father who is distinct from the Son.S distinct from the Son see Hebrews 1:8. Second Corinthians 5:19–21 leaves no room for Patripassianism: “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. . . . God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” On the cross, Jesus prayed to the Father «Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots. », (Luke 23:34). Was He talking to Himself? No. The Patripassianist is wrong.