Wyatt Graham

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Trinity

Through Power (the Son), the Father’s activity produces works

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Didymus the Blind (AD 313–398) wrote: “For things of the same substance—ὁμοούσια—have the same activities, and things of a different substance—ἑτεροούσια—have discordant and distinct activities.”
 
This is a key basis for the doctrine of the Trinity.
 
Gregory of Nyssa refines the concept here by arguing that through Power, the Father’s activity produces works. Through the Son who is the Power of God, then, the Father and Son share the same activity and so works. See Contra Eunomium 3.4 or Michel Barnes.

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Episode 40: Matthew Barrett on the Trinity

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In this episode, Wyatt Graham and Matthew Barrett talk about the Trinity. To find Dr. Barrett’s new book “Simply Trinity,” see: https://amzn.to/3g7n7r9. Here is the review of the book. 

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts. Also, see the host page at Anchor and the Youtube page. And bookmark this page to see every episode. [Read more…] about Episode 40: Matthew Barrett on the Trinity

Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett

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In Simply Trinity, Matthew Barrett mixes an inviting writing style with theological depth. In this rare combination, he has produced a theological book for regular Christians without dumbing down the content.

Granted, he uses theological jargon; but then he explains the jargon. He cites sources and detailed arguments but summarizes and clarifies them. He uses handy block summaries for key arguments throughout. In short, despite the sometimes daunting task of understanding trinitarian theology, Barrett writes for the church.

I wish I wrote this book not just for the above reason but because of how well Barrett receives, interprets, and rebuffs recent evangelical approaches to the Trinity. While the book itself only dedicates one chapter to eternal functional subordination (EFS) or eternal relations of authority and submission (ERAS), the whole work itself shows the insufficiency of such an approach by its positive argument for a biblical and Nicene view of the Trinity. [Read more…] about Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett

Episode 1: Craig Carter on Classical Theism

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Heaven & Earth features conversations between myself and another person who knows something fascinating. In these conversations, I play the role of the listener and ask questions to learn more about a topic. 

In this episode, professor Craig Carter and I talk about interpreting Scripture with the great tradition, Christian Platonism, and classical theism. I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and/or Apple Podcasts. Also, see the host page at Anchor. And bookmark this page to see every episode. [Read more…] about Episode 1: Craig Carter on Classical Theism

“I am not leaving you. I am changing forms”—is this modalism?

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A well-known pastor created a bit of an uproar recently when he paraphrased Jesus in John 16:7. The pastor summarized Jesus as saying: “I am not leaving you. I am changing forms.” The language of “changing” forms sounded to a lot of people like he taught the ancient heresy of modalism. 

Did he teach modalism? Perhaps, but probably not because he explained himself just afterwards by paraphrasing Jesus again: “When I send my Spirit, I will be in you. So I am not leaving you. I am just changing locations.”

The point he is making, at least in this short clip, seems to be that the Spirit of Jesus makes Jesus present on earth even though he is located in heaven. In any case, it is worth reflecting on what Modalism is since—for better or worse—Christians are now discussing it.  [Read more…] about “I am not leaving you. I am changing forms”—is this modalism?