Developing a Trinitarian Perspective

As one who grew up within the evangelical tribe of Southern Baptists I readily admit that we are guilty of not thinking often enough or deeply enough about the doctrine of the Trinity. One of my Ph.D. professors, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, and his wife Karen have posted a five-part response to the recent debate among evangelicals on the Trinity (see below for links to each). For those following or interested in following that debate, these posts are both economically (after all they are free =) and immanently helpful for understanding its basic contours and for the analysis of the positions taken.

While those outside the theological ranks will likely find their discussion too academic, their concluding paragraphs offer a presentation of the gospel that demonstrates the relevance of the doctrine of the Trinity to our faith and practice:

So, here is the main thing to see: The eternal Father sent his only begotten Son into this world in order to unite with our humanity. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross for our sins and rose from the dead for our justification. The Father and the Son sent the eternally proceeding Holy Spirit into the world in order to convict us of sin and judgment and the righteousness available through faith in the Son. And through regeneration, the Spirit unites us with the Son of God, allowing us to approach the Father in the service of worship.
    And that is what we, his redeemed slaves, will be doing for eternity: Worshiping the one enthroned Lord God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons yet one in essence, eternally sharing the divine perfections in the beautiful order of relations without division, without diminution, without composition.

As one who grew up within the evangelical tribe of Southern Baptists I readily admit that we are guilty of not thinking often enough or deeply enough about the doctrine of the Trinity. My prayer is that this recent debate and its produce will awaken us to this rich and beautiful doctrine, a doctrine central to our confession and the baptism we administer on the basis of personal faith. After all, to receive baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt 28:19) is to join the church throughout the ages in its Trinitarian faith. Hopefully this recent debate will lead to a greater appreciation and development of a Trinitarian perspective among evangelicals of every stripe.

Here are the links to each of their posts:

• Post 1
• Post 2
• Post 3
• Post 4
• Post 5