Can We Have Communion with the Trinity? Kelly Kapic and Matthew Barrett
This is a series of conversations between major theologians and Matthew Barrett on the doctrine of the Trinity based on his new book, Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit (Baker, 2021).
In this video, Kelly Kapic and Matthew Barrett invite Puritan John Owen to help listeners better understand the implications behind inseparable operations. Kapic and Barrett ground the work of the Trinity in the doctrine of divine simplicity. This is not a strictly academic connection, however, as both of these doctrines have immense practical benefits and are essential if believers are to “cultivate a healthy communion with God.” Ultimately, it is proper worship that fuels the desire for proper theology. There is no God other than the divine persons, so a proper relationship with God entails a proper relationship with the Father, with the Son, and with the Spirit.
Furthermore, Kapic and Barrett explore the Great Tradition and explain how a proper understanding of the Trinity became distorted over time. In so doing, they demonstrate how crucial it is to properly understand how God is three and how God is one.
For more information, consult chapter 10 of Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit.
Kelly M. Kapic is Professor of Theological Studies at Covenant College. He is the author of numerous books including Embodied Hope: A Theological Meditation on Pain and Suffering, The Devoted Life: An Invitation to the Puritan Classics, and Sanctification: Explorations in Theology and Practice.
Matthew Barrett is the author of Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Baker). He is the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine and host of the Credo podcast. He is associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.