Modern Christians lack clarity on the fundamental doctrine of their faith: the Trinity. But why is this the case? Dr. Scott Swain suggests the problem lies in the desire for a Christ who fulfills our expectations. We want Jesus to give a solution to the practical problems in out lives.

The doctrine of the Trinity seems abstract and detached from our marriages, careers, and mental health. But what if the doctrine of the Trinity exceeds our expectations? What if we desire too little? 

Getting the Trinity right does more than provide a proper theological answer -- it strikes at the heart of the identity of the God we worship. We believe in one God eternally existent in three equally divine persons. From this central belief flow all other doctrines.

A failure to grasp this basic theology leads to many modern errors: social trinitarianism, eternal subordination of the Son, and various forms of modalism. Each of these distortions trickles down into our understanding of gender, human nature, and the meaning of authority. 

The Trinity reveals to us a God who from eternity past lives in a triune relation of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We must gain Trinitarian fluency in order to speak rightly about him because his glory demands precision and careful meditation.

The church fathers defended the Trinity because they saw in this vital doctrine the essence of the Christian faith and the revelation of God in Christ. But this doctrine belongs not only to the theologians of the past, but the everyday faithful Christian in the present who desires to know his or her Lord in a deeper way.

Check out this episode with Dr. Scott Swain, one of the foremost Trinitarian theologians in the world, and dive in to the mystery and the glory of the doctrine of the Trinity.

Show Notes

Dr. Swain's blog Reformed Blogmatics

Dr. Swain's Trinity Lectures at the Theology in Practice Conference

Joe Minich joins us again to talk about the nature of work and how Christianity gives meaning to the mundane.

Show Notes

"Protestant Social Teaching" by the Davenant Institute 

Bryan and Paul talk about why feminists, "Me Too" advocates, and secularists should reject hook-up culture. Also, Paul plans to create a cult. 

Andrew Lazo joins us with a fascinating look at the underlying message of C.S. Lewis's masterpiece Till We Have Faces and unravels the mystery of how the book ends.

Show Notes

Check out Andrew on the Pints with Jack Podcast

We talk about the merits of homesteading and raising kids in the community while we ourselves have no kids nor do we homestead. But that won't stop us from discussing Ryan Anderson's article on how homesteading changed his perspective on parenting. Also, Paul gives an update on his life as he squats in a stranger's home.

Show Notes

"Mama Shot the Deer" by Ryan Anderson 

Dr. Matt LaPine joins us to discuss how the Christian tradition provides a framework for understanding how our emotions interact with our faith and the surprising emotional depth of Scripture.

Show Notes:

Want to receive counseling, but don't know the next steps? Visit matthewalapine.com for help

"The Logic of the Body" by Dr. Matt LaPine

We talk about the importance of creeds and how the help us gain confidence in our faith in this throwback episode. 

Christians, like teenagers, go through phases. We come to Christ through a powerful experience, then understand that experience through doctrine. Then that doctrine takes on new life through liturgy which depends our experience. Dr. Scott Redd joins us with insights on why this happens and how our Christians "phases" work together to grow our love for God.

Show Notes

"Three Modes of Christian Formation: Experience, Doctrine, and Liturgy" by Dr. Scott Redd

Much of the anxiety we experience in life stems from misplaced hope. Dr. Michael Allen helps re-establish the historic and biblical concept of "heavenly-mindedness" without neglecting love for neighbor. He also provides practical ways in which Christians can cultivate heavenly-mindedness in a culture that emphasizes the here and now.

Show Notes

"Grounded in Heaven: Re-centering Christian Hope and Life on God" by Michael Allen

Anxiety fills our social media and creeps into our lives. How do we cultivate a sound mind in the midst of the chaos and polarization? Rev. Ben Miller joins us with practical insights on cultivating a sound mind in a chaotic world.

Show Notes

Conversations in Crisis Series with Alastair Roberts and Ben Miller