In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Michael Haykin to discuss his article: “‘The brilliance of the rainbow’: Athanasius of Alexandria, the Cappodocian Fathers, and the defence of the doctrine of the Trinity”. What is the Scriptural basis, as well as historical development and defense of the Doctrine of the Trinity? Is this development primarily a philosophical enterprise, or is it rooted in the Bible? What was the Arian Controversy, and why the need for the Council of Nicaea in AD 325? Who was Athanasius of Alexandria (“the black dwarf”) – and what was at stake in calling Jesus “god” while not affirming him as of “the same substance” (homoousios) with the Father? Is this an essential issue for true and faithful Christianity? Moreover, Dr. Haykin takes us into some of the changes made between the (325) Creed of Nicaea and the (381) “Nicene Creed”, which is more technically called the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. Moreover, we hear about some of the major aspects of the Pneumatomachian Controversy, and the need for more clarity when it comes to the total affirmation of the Holy Spirit as God. Who was Basil of Caesarea, and what was at stake in subordinating the Holy Spirit to anything less than “Lord and Giver of Life”? Listen in as Dr. Haykin takes us into the essential nature of the Christian commitment to the Trinity, and he gives us some of his thoughts about the importance of the Nicene Creed today.
Article: “‘The brilliance of the rainbow’: Athanasius of Alexandria, the Cappodocian Fathers, and the defence of the doctrine of the Trinity”
Other resources by Dr. Haykin:
- Patrick of Ireland: His Life and Impact (hear interview here)
- Rediscovering the Church Fathers
- The Spirit of God:The Exegesis of 1 and 2 Corinthians in the Pneumatomachian Controversy of the Fourth Century
- Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands: Recovering Sacrament in the Baptist Traditions
- The Missionary Fellowship of William Carey
- The God Who Draws Near: An Introduction to Biblical Spirituality
Other resources:
Ligonier State of Theology Survey;
Among the shocking and tragic r esults regarding American Evangelicals:
- 53% agree that “Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature.”
- 53% think that “The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being.”
- 47% believe “God accepts the worship of all religions…”
The Essential Trinity edited by Brandon Crowe and Carl Trueman
Father, Son, and Spirit in Romans 8 by Ron Fay
Christianity at the Crossroads by Michael Kruger
The Story of Creeds and Confessions by Donald Fairbairn and Ryan Reeves
The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity by Edmon Gallagher and John Meade
The Early Christian Fathers edited and translated by Henry Bettenson
- On the Incarnation by Athanasius
- On the Holy Spirit by Basil the Great
Athanasius of Alexandria by Peter Barnes
Athanasius by Alvyn Petersen
Basil of Caesarea by Marvin Jones
Basil of Caesarea by Philip Rousseau
Christianity and Classical Culture by Jaroslav Pelikan
Early Arianism: A View of Salvation by Robert Gregg and Dennis Groh
What Every Christian Needs to Know about the Qur’an by James White
Audio clips from Scourby YouBible Channel:
- Book of Matthew
- Book of 2 Corinthians
- Book of Philippians
- Book of 1 Peter
Some LDS Resources:
Gospel Topics Essay: “Are ‘Mormons’ Christian?”; “Becoming Like God”; “Mother in Heaven”
Q15 Statement: “The Father and the Son”; Mosiah15 (also here); Ether 3 (also here); 3 Nephi 11:36
- Notice also Joseph Smith Translation (JST) Luke 10:22: “No man knoweth that the Son is the Father, and the Father is the Son, but him to whom the Son will reveal it.” (also here)
The Great Apostasy by Elder James Talmage (also here)
“Strange Creeds of Christendom” by Elder LeGrand Richards
“The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou Hast Sent” by Elder Jeffrey Holland
“The Light of Christ” by Elder Boyd K. Packer (also here; here; here)
“Rereading the Council of Nicaea and Its Creed” by Lincoln Blumell, found in Standing Apart: Mormon Historical Consciousness and the Concept of Apostasy, edited by Miranda Wilcox and John Young
The God Who Weeps; Wrestling the Angel by Terryl Givens
INTRO CLIPS:
1) Founding Prophet, Joseph Smith: JSH-1 (also here)
2) Elder LeGrand Richards: "Strange Creeds of Christendom"
3) Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "The Mystery of Godliness"
4) Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "Our Relationship with the Lord"
5) President/Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley: "We Look to Christ"
6) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent"
