The podcast explores different views on the Trinity, including a Unitarian perspective. It delves into the modern understanding of identity and discusses disagreements among scholars regarding Jesus. The role of the Holy Spirit in preserving truth and unity is also examined.
The podcast discusses different perspectives on the Trinity, including Unitarianism and biblical doctrine of the Trinity with Trinitarian processions and Nicene Trinitarianism with divine simplicity.
The Unitarian view, considering Jesus as a mortal man, is seen as heretical and a radical revision of the Trinity, while the biblical doctrine of the Trinity asserts one God and three fully divine persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Deep dives
Upcoming Books on Numbers, Historical Atom, and the Trinity
Bill and Peter van Inwagen have written a debate book titled 'Do Numbers Exist?' where they discuss the existence of abstract objects like numbers and sets. Another book on the historical atom features four authors presenting different views on the existence and recency/universality of Adam and Eve. Finally, a book titled 'One God, Three Persons, Four Views' explores different perspectives on the Trinity, including a Unitarian view, a biblical doctrine of the Trinity, a Trinitarian view with processions, and a full-blown Nicene Trinitarianism defended by an Eastern Orthodox theologian.
The Unitarian View and the Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity
The Unitarian view, presented by Dale Tuggie, argues that Jesus of Nazareth is a mortal human being exalted by God. In contrast, the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, defended by the speaker, asserts that there is one God and three persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - each of whom is fully God. Another perspective, offered by Bill Hasker, adds Trinitarian processions to the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. Lastly, Bob Ranson, an Eastern Orthodox theologian, presents an elaborate Nicene Trinitarianism with the doctrine of divine simplicity.
Debating the Deity of Christ and Divine Providence
The New Testament scholars unanimously affirm the deity of Christ in the pages of the New Testament. However, the Unitarian view, which considers Jesus as a mere man, is considered heretical and a radical revision of the doctrine of the Trinity. Regarding divine providence, Tuggie argues that the mainstream Christian tradition preserves the essentials of the gospel even though some theological points, such as monotheism and the unity of God, may have been compromised over time.