Knowing Faith

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss and define the incommunicable attributes of God.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is an incommunicable attribute?How are God’s attributes related to God’s nature? Are they something God possesses or words to describe what/who God is?What are some examples of incommunicable attributes?Does this make God unknowable? If he is so “other,” is it possible for us to truly know him?How do the incommunicable attributes shape the way we view God, the world, ourselves?Are the incommunicable attributes true of all the persons of the Godhead?Helpful Definitions:Attribute: Something that is true about God, who he is.Incommunicable Attribute: Things that are true about God, that are only true of God and are not true of anyone else.Omnipresent: Everywhere fully present.Omniscient: All things are known effortlessly and instantly.Omnipotent: All powerful.Infinite: No limit of any kind.Sovereign: He has the authority to use His power.Incomprehensible: Not able to be fully understood.Eternal: Not bound by time.Transcendent: He is other (by an infinite extent).Imminent: God is near to his creation.Divine Hiddenness: In God’s infinitude we cannot fully grasp all that He is. There is part of the divine life of God that is hidden from our view. Self-Existent: The origin of all things.Self-Sufficient: He needs nothing.Immutable: God is always the same.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Isaiah 6“None Like Him” by Jen Wilkin“The Wonderful Works of God” by Herman BavinckAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Kyle Worley is joined by Dr. Jason DeRouchie to answer the question, what does the revelation of God’s name in the Old Testament tell us about the nature and character of God?Questions Covered in This Episode:What does the revelation of God’s name in the Old Testament tell us about the nature and character of God?Yahweh as a name is capturing both God as creator and God as redeemer. Is that accurate?Helpful Definitions:Yahweh: He causes to be everything that follows. He is the only uncaused one.Azariah: Yahweh is my help.Elijah: My God is Yahweh.Zechariah: Yahweh remembers.Guest Bio: Dr. Jason DeRouchie is the Research Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author or contributing editor to many books including but not limited to; 40 Questions about Biblical Theology, A Modern Grammar for Biblical Hebrew, and What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus’ Bible. He also serves as content developer and global trainer with Hands to the Plow Ministries.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Exodus 3, Romans 11:36, Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 40:26, Ecclesiastes 7:13, Isaiah 45:7, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 104:30, Ecclesiastes 11:5, Hebrews 1:3, Isaiah 4:5, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:4, Philippians 2:12-13“Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. LewisAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley are joined by Dr. Gregg Allison to continue their discussion on the doctrine of God by discussing God the Spirit.Questions Covered in This Episode:When we refer to God the Spirit, we refer to him as the third person of the Godhead, does this mean he is in third place?From where and when has God the Spirit come?Who created God the Spirit?What does it mean to say that God the Spirit is eternally proceeding?Why was it significant in the early church to clarify that the Spirit proceeded from the Father and the Son?What are common questions when it comes to the Holy Spirit?Should we pray to the Holy Spirit?What do we do with the language, Holy Spirit come fill this room or come be with us?Helpful Definitions:Trinitarianism: God eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each of which is fully God, yet there is One God.Monotheism: The belief and worship of only one God, as opposed to multiple gods. The Triune God is one in essence, with one nature, one will, and one power without subordination among the Persons of the Godhead.Eternally Begotten: The Son’s unique attribute in relation to the Father and the Spirit: the Son is sourced in the Father, but there was never a time when the Son began. All things are from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.Eternal Procession: The Holy Spirit’s unique attribute in relation to the Father and Son: He has always come from the Father and the Son and will continue to do so forever. All things are from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.Spiration: BreatheResources Mentioned in This Episode:John 15:26-27, John 13-16“The Holy Spirit” by Dr. Gregg Allison“God, Gift, and Guide” by Dr. Gregg AllisonKnowing Faith Episode #4 – Are Catholics and Protestants One Big Family?Knowing Faith Episode #77 – The Holy Spirit“Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael ReevesAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Kyle Worley is joined by Dr. Jason Allen to answer the question, how does a big view of God shape the way we preach and teach God’s word?Questions Covered in This Episode:How does a big view of God shape the way we preach and teach God’s word?What text would you pick to preach a big view of God?Helpful Definitions:Sovereign: God rules and reigns over all, from Genesis to Revelation, from eternity past to eternity future, from before we are born until after we are gone.Guest Bio: Dr. Jason Allen is the president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to his role as president, he also serves as a professor for preaching and pastoral ministry. He is the author of a number of books including; Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles and Practices That Made It Happen. He posts essays on his website, jasonkallen.com, and hosts a weekly podcast, “Preaching & Preachers.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Romans 8Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley continue their discussion on the doctrine of God by talking about God the Son.Questions Covered in This Episode:When we refer to God the Son, we refer to him as the second person of the Godhead, does this mean he is in second place?From where and when has God the Son come? Who created God the Son?What does it mean to say that God the Son is eternally begotten?How does this shape the way we talk about God the Son?Does Jesus have one will or two?What relationship does God the Son have to the Father?What is the definition of Open Theism?What is the error in Open Theism and Eternal Function Subordination?What is the distinction between the Son and the Holy Spirit when they are both sent?Why is this view of the Son of God better?Is it possible to talk too much about God the Son, or emphasize him too much over the Father or the Holy Spirit?Helpful Definitions:Trinitarianism: God eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each of which is fully God, yet there is One God.Eternally Begotten: The Son’s unique attribute in relation to the Father and the Spirit: the Son is sourced in the Father, but there was never a time when the Son began. All things are from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit. Homoousios: Same essenceHomoiousios: Like essenceGod Ad Extra / Economic Trinity: What God Does.A view of the Trinity focused on God in the history of redemption, or the functional acts (economies) of the Godhead in the creation and salvation of the world; this perspective is distinguished from that of the immanent Trinity.God Ad Intra / Immanent Trinity: Who God is.The view that centers on the Trinity in and of Himself, or the internal relations between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as present (immanent) only to Himself (c.f. Jn 1:1-2,18); this perspective is distinguished from that of the economic Trinity.Inseparable Operations: That which any person of the Godhead does, is rightly attributed to God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.Monothelitism: Jesus has one will. This was denied.Dyothelitism: Jesus has two wills; the divine will and the human will. One person with two natures.Tritheism: Views the three persons of the Trinity as three distinct gods.Eternal Functional Subordination of the Son: A position that subordinates the Son’s divine will to the Father’s divine will.Social Trinitarianism: The view that God is only his activity in the world.Open Theism: The view that God is subject to some of the creaturely limitations or some of the operations of the world in ways that we are subject to.Christocentric Trinitarianism: The very persons of Father, Son, and Spirit are to highlight God the Son; He is the image of the invisible God and the one that the Spirit is supposed to show us.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Chick-fil-AJohn 5:26, Colossians 1:15-20, Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:30-32, Hebrews 1:1-4, Philippians 2:1-11“On the Incarnation” by Saint AthanasiusAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley continue their discussion on the doctrine of God by talking about God the Father.Questions Covered in This Episode:Continuing the discussion from our last episode, let’s talk about the economic trinity and immanent trinity.When we refer to God the Father, we refer to him as the first person of the Godhead: What does that mean?Who created God the Father?From where and when has God the Father come?What does it mean to say that God is eternally unbegotten?How is God the Father related to God the Son and God the Spirit?Helpful Definitions:God Ad Extra / Economic Trinity: What God Does.A view of the Trinity focused on God in the history of redemption, or the functional acts (economies) of the Godhead in the creation and salvation of the world; this perspective is distinguished from that of the immanent Trinity.God Ad Intra / Immanent Trinity: Who God is.The view that centers on the Trinity in and of Himself, or the internal relations between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as present (immanent) only to Himself (c.f. Jn 1:1-2,18); this perspective is distinguished from that of the economic Trinity. Eternally Unbegotten: The Father’s unique attribute in relation to the Son and the Spirit: The Father is the first origin of all things and without origin himself. All things are from the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit.Perichoresis (περιχώρησις): The mutual relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Resources Mentioned in This Episode:“Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael ReevesRomans 8:15, Hebrews 12:6Amazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss what it means that God is one and why it is essential to our faith. Questions Covered in This Episode:What is doctrine? What is the doctrine of God?Why does the doctrine of God matter?What does it mean to say that God is one?What drives the polytheistic impulse in the human heart? Why is it better that God is one?Is the oneness of God crucial? Why?What is different from being unitarian and monotheistic?How does oneness relate to the doctrine of divine simplicity?What pitfalls do we need to steer clear of here?Helpful Definitions:Doctrine: A belief, a creed, or a commonly held belief by a group of people.Doctrine of God: The basic belief about who God is, what He is like, what He is doing and acting in the world, so that we can appropriately know Him.Trinitarianism: God eternally exists as one essence and three distinct persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, each of which is fully God, yet there is One God.Divine Simplicity: God doesn’t have attributes, God is attributes. He is not made up of parts, every attribute he has (love, justice, holiness) is God.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Deuteronomy 6:4-9Nicene Creed“Delighting in the Trinity” by Michael ReevesAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley kick off Season 9 talking about what doctrine is and why the doctrine of God matters.Questions Covered in This Episode:Why does the doctrine of God matter?What is a doctrine? When we say the “doctrine of ______,” what are we saying?How do we come to doctrine? (Bible, history, experience, etc.)What role does community play in doctrine?What are some of the crucial issues in considering the doctrine of God?Helpful Definitions:Doctrine: A belief, a creed, or a commonly held belief by a group of people.Revelation/Apocalypse: Disclosing or a veil being opened.Doctrine of God: The basic belief about who God is, what He is like, what He is doing and acting in the world, so that we can appropriately know Him.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Matthew 5:1-12, Romans 9-11, 1 Timothy 1:13, Romans 1:20“Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John CalvinKnowing Faith Season 8“The Knowledge of the Holy” by A.W. TozerAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Discover how Midwestern Seminary can equip you to more faithfully serve your church through formal theological education or FREE For the Church resources we provide: mbts.edu/KnowingFaithOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron: patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Season 9 of the Knowing Faith podcast begins on August 25! In this episode, Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley give you a preview of what is to come in Season 9 as they cover the doctrine of God!Questions Covered in This Episode:So what are we talking about this season?Why is the doctrine of God so crucial?What are some topics we might cover?Resources Mentioned in This Episode:“None Like Him” by Jen Wilkin“In His Image” by Jen WilkinAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley answer questions submitted from their patron supporters! To learn more and become a patron visit patreon.com/trainingthechurch.Questions Covered in This Episode:We’ve heard (and subsequently forgotten) the title of JT’s dissertation. Jen and Kyle, if you had to write a dissertation, what would it be on?My new pastor has grown a lot from his UPC roots, but isn’t quite where I’m at in regards to the trinity. I appreciate that He is looking to the Word and growing, but this is still my biggest concern. He says if NT Wright is a trinitarian, then so is he. I don’t have context to interpret that well. He’s also leery of the word “persons” when speaking of the trinity, but does affirm distinction and oneness. He agrees that Father is not Son, etc, but all three are one God. Can you speak a bit about what I am losing if I agree to disagree here? Is there a major loss in saying ‘three beings, one God’ instead?Our pastor views keeping a Sabbath as wise and beneficial, but doesn’t believe it’s necessarily a command we have to keep. Is this true?For Kyle, would you be willing to talk about your relationship with foster care? I’d love to hear about your theology surrounding foster care, and how your faith informs how you’ve participated in caring for foster children and/or their families.What habits have you guys found to be the most beneficial for your spiritual life and family life?How do you, in your personal lives find the balance between Christian liberty and holiness, particularly as it pertains to your Christian witness?What is Phoebe’s role in the delivery of Romans?When you were in elementary school, what would we have found you usually doing during recess....tetherball? Trading baseball cards? Bullying kids for their lunch money?Were Adam and Eve indwelt by the Spirit? Did they lose him? And is the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of believers now a restoring of what was broken in the garden?Can you speak pastorally and practically about transitioning out of ministry in a small church that’s not in the best of health? Have any of you had any experience with graciously handing over your sheep in a church you have deep concerns about?Can y’all talk about alcohol?... And cannabis too. Let’s assume for discussion purposes that it’s legal for both medical and recreational use, at the state and federal levels. Should it be lumped in with how we view alcohol use?All of you seem to like reading and read a lot. Is it innate or an acquired skill? Do you have tips to be a better reader? How can I not dislike reading so much?How do you have gospel-centered conversations with close people in your life who are not believers?Manuscript or outline when giving a message?@Kyle Worley, I believe you’ve said plant and animal death is amoral (i.e., plant and animal death could occur before the fall because their life and death doesn’t go against God’s created order and will as human death does). Recently, a family member got upset by my choice to eliminate mice from my home via execution instead of relocation. This brought about the discussion of whether plants and animals have souls. I’m curious to hear y’all’s evidence on morality surrounding plants and animals.Jen, if you could talk to your 30 year old self, what advice would you give her specifically related to teaching the Bible?What do we mean when we say we’re evangelical? Meaning-evangelical as opposed to what?Helpful Definitions: Evangelical: From the Greek term euangelion.Bebbington's Quadrilateral:Belief in the Bible. This is God’s word, it’s authoritative for our life, it’s the story of the world, and we submit ourselves to it.The cross. The most definitive event in human history, this is where we find our redemption, our reconciliation to God, atonement, justification.The concept of being born again. The cross and the giving of the Holy Spirit is something that needs to happen. The cross isn’t s concept that is meaningful for you until you have realized I am a sinner in need of redemption, reconciliation, and ultimately regeneration.Activism. We want to be engaged in our world in biblically meaningful ways to extend God’s cultural mandate or the great commission to the ends of the earth.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:The Family Discipleship Podcast“Ten Words to Live By” by Jen Wilkin“Cannabis and the Christian” by Todd Miles“Food Trucks in Babylon” Podcast“Confessions” by Augustine“A Non-Anxious Presence” by Mark SayersAmazon affiliate links are used where appropriate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, thank you for supporting Knowing Faith.Sponsors:Explore the Southern Seminary degree programs designed to equip you to be more effective in full-time ministry or as a lay leader: SBTS.EDU/EXPLOREFollow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast | Confronting ChristianitySupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurch Follow Us:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteOur Sister Podcasts:The Family Discipleship Podcast  | Tiny TheologiansSupport Training the Church and Become a Patron:patreon.com/trainingthechurchYou can now receive your first seminary class for FREE from Midwestern Seminary after completing Lifeway’s Deep Discipleship curriculum, featuring JT, Jen and Kyle. Learn more at mbts.edu/deepdiscipleship.To learn more about our sponsors please visit our sponsor page.Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.