Scholars frequently refer to figures from the second century as “modalists” or “monarchians”.

 

The term modalist was coined by Adolphe Harnack in History of Dogma Volume III in reference to the "Monarchians".

Therefore, when someone is presented with this historical fact, it is not only improper to use this word, as a "trade-off" for the ancient and correct term "Monarchian" but is also intelectually dishonnest.  

 

For example, American writer, Campbell Bonner called Melito of Sardis’ theology “naïve modalism". This loose labeling by modern theologians like Campbell is eerily similar to Tertullian's slander in his treatise "Against Praxeas" concerning the "Monarchians" of being "simple minded" and "the majority of the faithful" who when presented with a "hard distinction" between the term Father and Son in relation to GOD, would reply "two or three gods are preached" by the logos party and boldly proclaimed the rule of faith based on Deuteronomy 6:4 : " We Hold To The Monarchy (of GOD) or We hold to the principle of ONE Ruler (Monarkhia)"