A regular reminder: If you want me to be confident about your interpretation of the past, start by leaving me confident about your interpretation of the present

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This is a quote in On Classical Trinitarianism edited by Matthew Barrett and Todd Billings.  “Consider, for instance, the predictably heretical perspective of many evangelicals concerning the Trinity. Evangelical understandings are improving, but a recent poll reported online in Christianity Today found 78 percent of evangelical respondents agreeing with Arius, though they had no idea… Continue reading A regular reminder: If you want me to be confident about your interpretation of the past, start by leaving me confident about your interpretation of the present

Classical Theism or Neo-Classical Theism?

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You may have noticed that I refer to Classical Theism as Neo-Classical Theism from time to time.  Now the term has been used in other contexts, in fact some of those seen as in disagreement with classical theism have been labeled as such. So why use the label in this context. Well I remember first… Continue reading Classical Theism or Neo-Classical Theism?

The problem with “classical theism”

Recent debates within Evangelicalism whether over if The Son submits to the Father, it is sinful to use empathy, the extent to which we can attribute emotions to God or temptation is a sin in itself have been marked by a dividing line between those who consider themselves to what is termed classical-theism and those… Continue reading The problem with “classical theism”

Theological debate is not always binary

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I’ve noticed a tendency in terms of contemporary hot potatoes to assume  that, or at least act as though,  the debate is binary. I’m thinking specifically of the complementarian/egalitarian, EFS and Concupiscence debates. What I mean is this.  Often a specific theological position is developed in response to a perceived error, this may not be… Continue reading Theological debate is not always binary

Make sure that you aren’t gagging God

I’ve joked that in my twenties, the most owned, least read book among my conservative evangelical contemporaries was “The Gagging of God” by Don Carson. It was Carson’s take on the problem with post-modernism/pluralism.  By denying the ability of anyone especially God to speak clearly, truthfully and finally, Carson argued that our world had sought… Continue reading Make sure that you aren’t gagging God

When to use the H word (on calling brothers and sisters heretics)

Accusations of heresy are thrown around quite liberally at times.  This has been seen most pertinently in recent times in the dispute about Eternal Functional Subordination.  Some of those on the EFS side have been quick to presume that their interlocuters were slipping into heterodoxy and falling for modalism. However, the louder accusations have come… Continue reading When to use the H word (on calling brothers and sisters heretics)

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority

Tom Underhill writes here about his concerns with Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology.”  I know those concerns are shared among a number of people and Wayne has been called a “Biblicist” for his methodology (where Biblicist is used pejoratively). I agree with Tom and others that there are some challenges both about Grudem’s methodology and specifically… Continue reading Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology: history, tradition and authority

On polemic and polemical theology

The other day, a friend asked for recommendations on The Trinity and I mentioned in my preferences that I would not recommend Matthew Barrett’s book “Simply Trinity.”  If you want to know why, you can read my review and additional comment article here.  This prompted some discussion about whether or not Barret’s book was intended… Continue reading On polemic and polemical theology

The incomprehensible God and Eternal Generation

 I want to flesh out some thoughts in response to a question that Ollie Lansdowne student minister at All Souls Langham Place raised on twitter. He raised the question as a statement which he then offered a poll for people to give their choice ranging from hard yes to hard no. Then he offered his… Continue reading The incomprehensible God and Eternal Generation

Perhaps we all could listen a little better – a response to Aimee Byrd

Aimee Byrd has written this article, essentially arguing that Complementarians need to listen to people including herself who have been challenging their theology and culture but essentially giving up on us (I identify as a Complementarian) arguing that we are beyond hope. We are simply unable to listen. When Aimee’s book first came out, I… Continue reading Perhaps we all could listen a little better – a response to Aimee Byrd