podcast 262 – The Trinity before Nicea?

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Were the earliest Christians trinitarian? This episode is pastor Sean Finnegan’s presentation “The Trinity before Nicea” recorded at the Theological Conference in April of 2019.

Pastor Finnegan began with a Google search, which led him to this piece by evangelical apologist Matt Slick. Slick asserts that

The following quotes show that the doctrine of the Trinity was indeed alive-and-well before the Council of Nicea.

Do they show that? Pastor Finnegan, who has an a Masters in Theological Studies from Boston University’s School of Theology, carefully works through these quotes attributed to Polycarp, Justin, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen, using Mr. Slick’s own definition of “the Trinity.”

My reaction after hearing this presentation? Finnegan: 6. Slick: 0. Game Finnegan. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Links for this episode:

• You can see Pastor Finnegan’s video version and download the pdf of his whole paper at Restitutio.
• Restitutio podcast episodes
• If you’re in the Albany, NY area be sure to visit Pastor Finnegan’s church Living Hope Community Church
• CARM – Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
• Slick, “What is Trinitarianism?“
• Slick, “Early Trinitarian Quotes“
• trinitarian or unitarian?
• Tuggy, “The Lost Early History of Unitarian Christian Theology “
• Finnegan, “Five Major Problems with the Trinity“
• Information on my upcoming debate with Chris Date is here at the organizer’s website.
• This week’s thinking music is “reCreation” by airtone.