Credo

In this episode of the Credo Podcast, Sam Parkison joins with Matthew Barrett (Professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), Ronni Kurtz (Assistant Professor of Theology at Cedarville University), and Joseph Lanier (Pastor of discipleship and administration at Fairview Baptist Church) to discuss the book that they coauthored, Proclaiming the Triune God. In this book, the four authors came up with seven sermons on the doctrine of Trinity to show how to preach the Trinity from a classical understanding of the Trinity. Many pastors know that they have to teach their congregation about the Triune God. However, they are often intimidated by the task. The book is intended to show that the classical doctrine of the Trinity can be preached. A classical understanding of the Trinity, such as inseparable operation, eternal generation, and eternal procession not only works well in an academic setting, but also has rich implications for the Christian faith and the Christian life. Join Matthew Barrett, Sam Parkison, Ronni Kurtz, and Joseph Lanier as they retrieve the classical doctrine of Trinity for the message of the church today.

Oftentimes, theologians will approach the doctrine of Christology in an isolated way, rarely bringing the doctrine of the Trinity into the discussion. As a result, we have succumbed to many Christological heresies across the centuries and more recently entertained Kenotic Christology. The collateral damage has been severe. For example, in the past generation it became acceptable for modern theologians to say that the incarnation introduces a change in God himself.

However, this has not been the way theologians across the Great Tradition have approached Christology. Following the lead of the holy scriptures, the Great Tradition approached Christology through a Trinitarian lens because they considered the incarnation an inseparable work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Following scripture, the Great Tradition could use its theological imagination to find the connection between the divine missions and the processions of the Trinity, for example. This theological approach was a major contribution of the angelic doctor, Thomas Aquinas. Could a retrieval of Thomistic Christology help us today avoid the major mistakes of modern Christology? If so, then we must understand why the incarnation is not a change in God.

In this episode of the Credo podcast, Sam Parkison and Ronni Kurtz continue their mini-series on classical theology. In this episode in particular, they discuss the classical doctrine of divine immutability. Divine immutability is a doctrine in the Christian tradition that tells us God does not change, and it is also impossible for Him to change. God is perfect and He cannot change for the better or the worse. Divine immutability is affirmed by Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not,” and James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Divine immutability is a doctrine that gives us comfort and stability in the ever-changing world. It is a doctrine that has implications for our salvation and Christian life. Join Parkison and Kurtz in their quest to retrieve the ancient doctrine of divine immutability for the church today.

In this episode of the Credo podcast, Dr. Sam Parkison and Dr. Ronni Kurtz continue their mini-series on classical theology. In this episode in particular, they discuss the classical doctrine of divine simplicity. Divine simplicity is an essential Christian doctrine that tells us our God is one, affirming the Shema and Deuteronomy 6:4. Divine simplicity tells us how this one God is the ultimate goodness, how He is love, beauty, and wisdom at the same time. Divine simplicity is the doctrine that holds all these attributes of God together. Although divine simplicity does not stand out in theology books published within a couple hundred of years, it is an important doctrine that is held onto for the better part of 2,000 years of the Christian history. Sam Parkison and Ronni Kurtz tell us not only the intellectual ground for the doctrine of divine simplicity, but also how it enriches our Christian life. Join Dr. Parkison and Dr. Kurtz in their quest to retrieve the ancient doctrine of divine simplicity for the church today.

Why is classical theology meaningful for the Christian life? Classical doctrines like divine simplicity, divine satiety, or divine immutability can feel somewhat detached from our everyday life. However, they actually find their way into the Christian life and make it meaningful. They give beauty and stability to our day-to-day life. In this episode of the Credo Podcast, Dr. Ronni Kurtz and Dr. Sam Parkison discuss classical theism and the Christian life. For those who engage in classical theology, there is more to it than just intellectual fulfillment. There is something about a classical understanding of who God is and what He is doing in the world that impacts our love of God. Classical theology impacts the way we worship. It impacts the way we read the Bible. It impacts the way we pray. It impacts the way we engage in the Christian life. Join Dr. Ronni Kurtz and Dr. Sam Parkison as they share how classical theology can enrich our Christian life.

In this episode of the Credo Podcast, Dr. Ronni Kurtz and Dr. Sam Parkison interview Dr. Matthew Barrett about the Systematic Theology book he is currently working on. While they discuss a number of issues such as why write a systematic theology book now when there are other systematic theology texts available. The primary question in this episode is ways in which Dr. Barrett’s new systematic theological will be unique—especially as it aims to recover afaith seeking understanding model of Christian theology in retrieving classical theology for a modern Church. The three talk about some defining features of the new systematic texts such as what makes a book truly systematic, how Biblical and theological reasoning permeate the volume, what faith seeking understanding looks like methodologically, how retrieval ought to serve renewal, and how theology can be both theoretical and practical.

Theological convictions abound in matters of eschatology. But rather than focusing on secondary and often popular matters such as the rapture or the millennium, this episode of the Credo Alliance introduces listeners to the pinnacle of the Christian life: the blessed hope of the beatific vision.

The doctrine of the beatific vision is often brushed away as an addendum to Roman Catholicism, but seeing God is the biblical hope that spans the Scriptures. It's also an integral aspect to historic Protestant theology, informing everything from the doctrine of God to the Christian life. In this episode, Credo Fellows seek to encourage listeners to pursue contemplation of God as the fulfillment of human happiness in the vision of God.

Welcome back to the Credo Colloquy, where leading theologians delve into the pressing issues of theology in today’s church. In this ongoing series, Credo Editor-in-Chief Matthew Barrett sits down with with Dr. Robert W. Yarbrough, exploring the vital relationship between biblical interpretation and theology.

In their conversation, Barrett and Yarbrough discuss the essential need for Christians to be thoughtful disciples, intertwining their Bible reading with theological contemplation. They assert that the greatest biblical interpreters throughout history have also been formidable theologians, demonstrating that the practice of theology and scriptural study should be inseparable.

Yarbrough highlights how creeds and confessions can profoundly shape our understanding of Scripture. He warns against the arrogance of dismissing the wisdom of the church’s historical tradition and urges a humble approach that learns from the theological insights developed across centuries and cultures. By this Great Tradition, Christians can deepen their grasp of the Christian faith without reinventing the wheel, thereby participating in the ongoing theological journey of the church.

They also touch on the unique challenges posed by modern biblical scholarship, particularly the historical-critical method, which often excludes divine transcendence from its interpretation. Yarbrough critiques methodological atheism, reminding us of God’s providential oversight of the human authors and his divine authorial intent in the text itself, all of which is crucial to properly interpreting Scripture.

Barrett and Yarbrough conclude by affirming the value of classical Christian theology, especially as articulated in the creeds and confessions, for grounding believers in a robust, doctrinally sound faith. They encourage Christians to reclaim these doxological treasures as they seek to faithfully interpret Scripture in light of the whole counsel of God.

"Begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father."

With these words, the Nicene Creed sets the standard of Christian orthodoxy for pastors and church members. As Christians confess the creed today, they link arms with brothers and sisters throughout the ages in affirming their belief in the eternal generation of the Son.

In this episode, Credo Fellows Scott Swain, Fred Sanders, J.V. Fesko, and Matthew Barrett discuss why they believe in eternal generation. Through affirming doctrines such as eternal relations of origin and denying ideas such as eternal functional subordination, this episode of the Credo Alliance seeks to discuss and demonstrate that Christian unity is measured more by doctrinal and biblical fidelity than personal sincerity.

Christians believe the Bible is the Word of God. Naturally, when we read the Bible, we try to find not only the literal meaning, but also the spiritual meaning of the text. Why? The spiritual meaning will lead us to Jesus Christ himself. Whether Christians today know it or not, they are practicing a divine reading of Scripture practiced by medieval monks called lectio divina. It includes four steps: reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation. Like Jacob's ladder, each step is to take us higher up and higher in, drawing us closer to God through Jesus Christ. In lectio divina, a divine reading of Scripture, the medieval monks prayed and meditated on the text, and the ultimate goal was to contemplate God himself.

Lectio divina is called a divine reading of scripture for a reason. In medieval times, theology and practice were not divorced from each other. Theology was for the spiritual life, making us more and more like Christ. If scripture is the means God has given us to that end, then the Bible is not just a book. It’s a book that is inspired by God, so that his divine authorial intent goes beyond any single human author, ensuring the unity of the whole Bible and its telos in Christ. In this episode, Matthew Barrett talks with Greg Peters, professor at Torrey Honors College, Biola University, as well as research professor of monastic studies and ascetical theology at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. Join Matthew Barrett and Greg Peters as they read Scripture through each step of lectio divina, all for the sake of contemplating the God of the Bible.