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Are these differences in belief enough to qualify Oneness Pentecostals as a cult or sect? For most orthodox Christians, the Oneness movement occupies a kind of cloudy no man's land between orthodox Christianity and the various groups that, because of their beliefs and practices, are decidedly not orthodox (e.g., Mormons, Christian Scientists). Unfortunately, it's likely that most Christian laypeople, if they were presented with the orthodox view and the Oneness churches' view, would either shrug off the differences as extremely minor or would not even be able to grasp them. For the leading conservative ecumenical groups, however, the differences are not cloudy at all: the National Association of Evangelicals, Pentecostal World Fellowship, and Pentecostal Fellowship of North America rightly find Oneness Pentecostals too far removed from classical orthodoxy to include in their ranks.

J. Stephen Lang is a full-time writer and the author of several books, including 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Holy Spirit.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

The Spring 1998 issue of Christianity Today sister publication Christian History focused on "The Rise of Pentecostalism." The issue included an article by Kenneth Gill titled, "Dividing over Oneness." Issue 58 can be ordered here.

Christianity Today and its sister publication Christian History have both recently reviewed Heaven Below: Early Pentecostalism and American Culture. An excerpt from the book is available on our site.

Other related Christianity Today articles include:

My Views on the GodheadJakes responds to Christianity Today article, "Apologetics Journal Criticizes Jakes." (Feb. 21, 2000)

T. D. Jakes Feels Your PainThough critics question his theology, this fiery preacher packs arenas with a message of emotional healing. (Feb. 7, 2000)

Apologetics Journal Criticizes T.D. JakesChristian Research Institute publication questions preacher's view of Trinity. (Feb. 7, 2000)

J. Stephen Lang's 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Holy Spirit is available at Christianbook.com.

Earlier Good Question columns include:

Do a man and a woman become married after having sex or after exchanging vows?

How Do You Know That You Have Truly Forgiven Someone?

Who Are We to Judge?

Should We File Lawsuits?

Can We Expect God to Forgive Unbelievers Who 'Don't Know What They're Doing'?

Is the Stock Market Good Stewardship?

Is Satan Omnipresent?

Is Suicide Unforgivable?

Was Slavery God's Will?

A Little Wine for the Soul?

Should We All Speak in Tongues?

Did Jesus Really Descend to Hell?

Take, Eat—But How Often?

Is Christmas Pagan?

Are Christians Required to Tithe?

Is Revelation Prophecy or History?

You're Divorced—Can You Remarry?

If Grace Is Irresistible, Why Evangelize?

Does the 'Bible Code' Really Exist?

What's the Unforgivable Sin?

What Bible Version Did Jesus Read?

Did God Die on the Cross?

You Must Be Born Again—But at What Age?

Was the Revolutionary War Justified?

Can the Dead Be Converted?

What Is the Significance of the Shroud of Turin?

Is Hell Forever?

Why Are There Denominations?

Did Paul Baptize for the Dead?

Do Demons Have Zip Codes?

What Is the Gospel of Thomas?

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April 1 2002, Vol. 46, No. 4