OpenTheo

Q&A#33 Why are there so many 'Binitarian' Formulations in the NT?

Alastair Roberts

Q&A#33 Why are there so many 'Binitarian' Formulations in the NT?

August 29, 2018
Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts

Today's question: "Why are so many references to God in the NT binitarian (Father and Son) rather than trinitarian (Father, Son and Spirit)? I'm thinking of Paul's greetings, Stephen's vision, Jesus' speeches about unity with the Father, etc. Admittedly the Spirit grows more prominent after Pentecost, but I've wondered about this a lot. I've seen anti-trinitarians use this argument, but though I can explain it away, I'm not sure I can positively account for it. Thoughts?"

If you have any questions, you can leave them on my Curious Cat account: https://curiouscat.me/zugzwanged.

If you have enjoyed these videos, please tell your friends and consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zugzwanged.

My new Soundcloud account is here: https://soundcloud.com/alastairadversaria. You can also listen to the audio of these episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/alastairs-adversaria/id1416351035?mt=2.

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More on OpenTheo

A Fresh Look at Inerrancy: Part two
A Fresh Look at Inerrancy: Part two
Risen Jesus
September 3, 2024
What are compositional devices? How do they affect our view of inerrancy? What does the Bible say about inspiration and inerrancy? In this episode, Dr
Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Reading, Writing, and the Olympics with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
August 14, 2024
After a summer hiatus, the fellas are back together to kick off a new season of LBE. If you always look forward to the sports banter with these three,
Can I Be Acting on Godly Wisdom if My Choice Is Giving Me Deep Pain?
Can I Be Acting on Godly Wisdom if My Choice Is Giving Me Deep Pain?
#STRask
August 1, 2024
Questions about whether you can be acting on godly wisdom if your choice is giving you deep pain, how a combat vet who has difficulty going to church
Isn’t It Better to Do Good for Goodness’ Sake?
Isn’t It Better to Do Good for Goodness’ Sake?
#STRask
September 2, 2024
Questions about it being better to do good for goodness’ sake rather than to earn approval and avoid punishment and a good initial approach to take wi
Ancient Greco-Roman Story-Telling and the Gospels
Ancient Greco-Roman Story-Telling and the Gospels
Risen Jesus
July 29, 2024
Do apparent contradictions in the gospels mean we can’t trust them as reliable sources of information about the person and life of Christ? Dr. Mike Li
What Instruments in Church? w/ Will Drzycimski
What Instruments in Church? w/ Will Drzycimski
For The King
October 2, 2024
What instruments should the Church use on the Lord's day? Brother Will helps us think about this in a helpful way. This conversation was prompted from
When Does a Human Receive a Soul?
When Does a Human Receive a Soul?
#STRask
October 14, 2024
Questions about when a human receives a soul and how to respond to someone who rejects science, reason, philosophy, and objective morality in her effo
What Does Boasting in Our Weaknesses Look Like?
What Does Boasting in Our Weaknesses Look Like?
#STRask
July 22, 2024
Questions about what the Bible means by “boasting in our weaknesses” (2 Cor. 12:7–10), what it means to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (1 Pe
Relitigating the Deception of Isaac
Relitigating the Deception of Isaac
Alastair Roberts
September 18, 2024
The following is a reading from this post: https://argosy.substack.com/p/32-intellectual-salons-and-a-new. Follow our Substack, the Anchored Argosy a
Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn
Westminster Divines, Spiritual Warfare, and the Neglected Practice of Hospitality with Chad Van Dixhoorn
Life and Books and Everything
September 25, 2024
It’s not everyday you get to hear from the world’s expert on the Westminster Assembly (and who among us does not wish to know more about the Westminst
The Church and Politics (with Miles Smith IV)
The Church and Politics (with Miles Smith IV)
Alastair Roberts
October 15, 2024
Dr Miles Smith, Assistant Professor of History at Hillsdale College, joins me to discuss the complexities of the Church's relationship with politics.
Why Mordecai Did Not Bow
Why Mordecai Did Not Bow
Alastair Roberts
October 12, 2024
The following is a reading from this post: https://argosy.substack.com/p/breakfast-and-move-things. Follow our Substack, the Anchored Argosy at https
Does the Bible Explicitly Forbid Premarital Sex?
Does the Bible Explicitly Forbid Premarital Sex?
#STRask
September 30, 2024
Questions about whether the Bible explicitly forbids premarital sex and whether Song of Songs 2:4–6 promotes premarital sex.   * How should I respond
What if God Intended for My Child to Transition from a Girl to a Boy?
What if God Intended for My Child to Transition from a Girl to a Boy?
#STRask
October 10, 2024
Questions about how to respond to someone who says that maybe God intended for her daughter to transition from a girl to a boy and how kids in a small
Do We Always Need to Make the Case that Christian Morality Is the Best Way to Live?
Do We Always Need to Make the Case that Christian Morality Is the Best Way to Live?
#STRask
September 26, 2024
Questions about whether Christians can simply say that God’s moral requirements are a show of loyalty to him rather than argue they’re the best way to