podcast 336 – Chris Date’s Search for a Viable Trinity Theory – Part 1

Some object to “the doctrine of the Trinity” that it is incoherent – that is, that it implies one or more contradictions. This is the sort of objection which apologists tend to focus on.

But it’s never been clear quite what that doctrine is, as tradition has bequeathed words in need of interpretation without also giving the interpretations. Given this, it’s hard to make the case that “the doctrine” is incoherent. And some trinitarians think that there are a number of different doctrines, each of which should count as “the doctrine of the Trinity.”

In this episode, you’ll hear apologist Chris Date expound what he claims are criteria for a Trinity theory to be orthodox, i.e. in line with (at least the first four) catholic creeds. These are the seven statements shown here. He then starts to expound what he claims is a Trinity doctrine which is both orthodox and coherent. If he’s right, then there is at least one orthodox Trinity-theology which is coherent, and the aforementioned critics are mistaken.

In this episode I join in on his exploration of these topics, commenting on his seven criteria for an orthodox theory, and on how he starts to develop his views on how the “divine Persons” relate to the one God. In the next episode, we’ll hear the rest of his development of these ideas, and my critical comments on them.

If you are looking for a way of understanding “the Trinity” which is coherent, you should enjoy these explorations.

Links for this episode:

podcast 337 – Chris Date’s Search for a Viable Trinity Theory – Part 2

Theopologetics 028: Can an Orthodox Doctrine of the Trinity Be Logically Coherent?

December 4, 2021 debate: Does the Trinity Make Sense? A Debate Between Chris Date vs Muslim Metaphysician

Debate – “Is Jesus Human and not Divine?” – Dr. Dale Tuggy vs. Chris Date

Tuggy and Date, Is Jesus Human and Not Divine?

Tuggy, “Trinity,” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

How Trinity theories conflict with the New Testament

podcast 248 – How Trinity theories conflict with the Bible

podcast 232 – Trinity Club Orientation

Tuggy, What is the Trinity?