podcast 402 – Craig is right about eternal generation, BUT . . .

The Christian internet recently lost his mind when a short video went viral in which Dr. William Lane Craig points out that the New Testament does not teach that the Father “eternally generates” the Son. He also professes skepticism about that traditional, catholic doctrine. Does this make him a heretic?

In this episode I react to his follow-up video in which Craig assures those concerned about heresy that he’s merely asking questions and repeats that he’s agnostic about eternal generation. But as I explain, he is and long has been clearly committed to the falsity of that doctrine.

This incident helpfully highlights the questions of what we should do when later traditions clash with Scripture and whether a Protestant should view the “ecumenical” councils as authoritative. Along the way, we also look at early Christian theologies, Craig’s idiosyncratic and easily refuted Trinity theories, and silliness about the immanent Trinity vs. the economic Trinity.

Here’s the video version of this podcast, of course, without the customary Thinking Music (TM).

Here are some Old Testament passages in which “the Word of the LORD” is personified. Unaccountably, at one point in this video, Dr. Craig denies that there are any such passages.

“He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” Psalm 147:15

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.” Isaiah 55:11

Links for this episode: