Many apologists offer simple deductive arguments purporting to show that the Bible rather obviously implies a creedal Trinity doctrine.Are those arguments sound?
This episode is my presentation on April 13, 2019 at the 28th Theological Conference. Because the talk is easier to follow with my slides, I recommend the YouTube version below.
First, I show that this influential argument by Reformed theologian B.B. Warfield is invalid (that is, the conclusion doesn’t follow from the premises).
- There is only one God.
- The Father and the Son and the Spirit are each God.
- The Father and the Son and the Spirit are different persons.
- Therefore, the doctrine of the Trinity is true.
Unfortunately, this argument is unthinkingly recycled by countless later trinitarian apologists! Next, I show why this argument from trinitarian apologist Dr. Robert M. Bowman Jr. is valid but unsound.
- All the elements of the doctrine are taught in Scripture.
- The New Testament presents a consistent triad of Father, Son, Holy Spirit (God, Christ, Spirit).
- Therefore, the Bible does teach the Trinity.
Finally, despite these failures I explain how, in principle, a trinitarian apologist might actually show that the Bible is trinitarian. It involves far more work than is usually assumed. To help, I lay out six points which should be acknowledged.
Links for this episode:
- 28th Theological Conference
- Dr. Fred Sanders’s Study of Edition of Warfield’s “Trinity”
- Dr. Bowman’s “The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity”
- This week’s thinking music is “Kalte Ohren” by Alex.