podcast 42 – Dr. Stephen R. Holmes on his The Quest for the Trinity

In this episode I talk with Dr. Stephen R. Holmes about his 2012 book The Quest for the Trinity: The Doctrine of God in Scripture, History and Modernity (UK title: The Holy Trinity).

In this book Dr. Holmes argues that the much celebrated recent “revival of trinitarian theology” is no such thing. In his view, recent theology has deviated from the course set by the 4th centuries “fathers” (“pro-Nicene” theology) and one should agree with this historical claim whatever one’s position on the Trinity is.

Here we discuss his change of heart about the “revival,” his summary of that late 4th century understanding of the Trinity, whether contemporary evangelicals understand that doctrine, the contrary idea that God is a perfect community of selves, scripture and tradition, the practical adequacy of traditional language about Father, Son, and Spirit, and whether or not one can deduce a traditional Trinity doctrine from the Bible.

You can also listen to this episode on youtube.

Next week, we’ll have more conversation with Dr. Holmes.