Homebrewed Christianity

Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Before There Was a Bible & the Messy Origins of Spirit Doctrine

May 29, 2025
Grace Ji-Sun Kim, a theology professor and author, explores the tumultuous history of early Christian doctrine regarding the Holy Spirit. She reveals why the term 'Trinity' isn't even found in the Bible and the complexities the early church faced without a canonized New Testament. Grace discusses how Roman imperial politics influenced these debates and the importance of historical context in theology. The conversation dives into distinguishing the Spirit's work from personal emotion and emphasizes a communal approach to understanding faith.
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INSIGHT

Early Church's Theological Wrestling

  • Early Christians wrestled to understand Jesus and the Spirit without the New Testament or creeds.
  • Their theology emerged from lived experiences rather than immediate, clear doctrine.
INSIGHT

Why Trinity Doctrine Took Time

  • It took centuries for the church to develop Trinity doctrine because Jesus and God had to be understood first.
  • The Spirit was central but recognized as distinct only later in relation to Jesus and God.
INSIGHT

Empire's Role in Doctrine

  • Roman imperial power shaped church doctrine by convening councils enforcing theological uniformity.
  • Empires use religion as control tools, influencing doctrinal outcomes to uphold order.
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