On Critiquing Social Trinitarianism: Problems with a Recent Attempt
Andrew Hollingsworth
Andrew Hollingsworth (PhD, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Theology and Christian Philosophy at Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia.
Abstract: In his recent book, Simply Trinity, Matthew Barrett argues that Christians need to retrieve the pro-Nicene doctrine of the Trinity, as articulated by the fathers in the patristic, medieval, and reformation periods of the church’s history. He also argues that social trinitarianism is beyond the boundaries of pro-Nicene orthodoxy, and that many Christians today who have accepted some version or another of social trinitarianism have accepted a false Trinity. In this paper, I object to Barrett’s characterization of social trinitarianism, arguing that he misrepresents the positions and agendas of several thinkers who identify as social trinitarians. I also argue that Barrett does not develop a clear argument demonstrating that social trinitarianism is unbiblical, nor does he develop a clear argument against the social-trinitarian views of those individuals that he lists and critiques. As a result, Barrett’s critiques of social trinitariansism in Simply Trinity ultimately fall flat. I conclude with some practical steps for moving the discussions surrounding social trinitarianism forward.
Key Words: Doctrine of the Trinity, Social Trinitarianism, Trinity Models, Matthew Barrett
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