What is the Trinity? (feat. Timothy Ateek)

Watermark Equipping Podcast

In this episode, hosts Oren Martin and Caitlin Van Wagoner are joined by Timothy "TA" Ateek to discuss the doctrine of the Trinity: what it is, how to explain it, and its' implications for our daily lives.

Part I: 01:30-06:59

What is Trinity?

1. The Trinity: the word that describes the conviction that God exists as three co-equal, co-eternal persons that are distinct yet are one in essence.
2. Trinitarian Heresies
3. Scott Swain, The Trinity: An Introduction
4. 1 Minute Videos on the Trinity

Part II: 07:00-10:20

How can I explain the Trinity in a simple way?

1. Use an illustration, knowing it ultimately breaks down
2. Catechesis: teaching in the form of questions
3. The New City Catechism
4. Brandon Smith, The Biblical Trinity: Encountering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Scripture

Part III: 10:20-15:30

Why is the Trinity important in our everyday lives?

1. To love God rightly, you have to know God rightly
2. The Trinity helps us understand God more fully, ourselves more fully, and the Gospel more fully.

Scripture Mentioned: Deuteronomy 29:29, Galatians 4:4-7

Part IV: 15:30-19:40

Where do we see the Trinity in the Bible?

1. “The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lit...” – B.B. Warfield
2. Progressive Revelation
3. Tertullian: Early Church father who coined the term Trinity to describe who God is
4. Scott Swain, The Trinity & the Bible: On Theological Interpretation
5. The Nicene Creed
6. Tertullian’s View of the Trinity

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 3:13-17, Genesis 1:1-2, 26, Colossians 1:15-23

Part V: 19:40-22:46

Is the Trinity unique in comparison to other religions?

1. While Jews and Muslims believe that only one God exists, they reject the Christian belief in a Triune God.
2. Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God?
3. 5 Reasons the Trinity Matters So Much

Part VI: 22:46-26:50

Common questions on the Trinity

1. Is there a person of the Trinity that you favor?
2. “…When I think of anyone of the three, I think of him as the whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking escapes me. I cannot grasp the greatness of that one so as to attribute a greater greatness to the rest. When I contemplate the three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the undivided light.” – Gregory Nazianzen
3. Who do we pray to? We pray to the Father, by the Son, and through the Holy Spirit.

Scripture Mentioned: Matthew 6:5-15, Acts 7:59

Recommended Resources:

1. Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity

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