God is knowable, but for many of us, the more we study God the more we realize how much we don't know. Today, we explore two concepts that show us how deep and mysterious God is.
Should you accept the filioque and the western model of the Trinity? We sit down with Dr Jeremy Wilkins, a Catholic professor and Aquinas expert, to learn the western perspective and push back with questions.
Should you reject the filioque and the western model of the Trinity? We sit down with Andrew Nichols, a PHD candidate under John Behr, to learn the eastern perspective and push back with questions.
What is the filioque and why is it so divisive? A brief discussion.
A brief overview of ancient Christian creeds.
Recommended resources to continue your study:
Ancient Creeds:
The Apostles Creed: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/apostles-creedThe Nicene Creed (Western): https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/nicene-creed
The Nicene Creed (Eastern): https://www.goarch.org/-/the-nicene-creed
The Athanasian Creed: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/athanasian-creed
Books to start with:
The Apostles' Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism: https://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Creed-Catechism-Christian-Essentials/dp/1683590880/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+apostles+creed+ben+myers&sr=8-1
The Trinity: An Introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Introduction-Studies-Systematic-Theology/dp/B08KTX3YYH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=scott+swain%2C+the+trinity+an+introduction&sr=8-1
Most Christians affirm the doctrine of the Trinity, but do we see it as important and relevant? In this episode, we share 5 ancient heresies that distort the way we view God and how the Trinity provides a more life view of both God and the world.
Ancient Creeds:
The Apostles Creed: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/apostles-creed
The Nicene Creed (Western): https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/nicene-creed The
Nicene Creed (Eastern): https://www.goarch.org/-/the-nicene-creed
The Athanasian Creed: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds/athanasian-creed
Book Recommendations:
The Apostles' Creed: A Guide to the Ancient Catechism: https://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Creed-Catechism-Christian-Essentials/dp/1683590880/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+apostles+creed+ben+myers&sr=8-1
The Trinity: An Introduction: https://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Introduction-Studies-Systematic-Theology/dp/B08KTX3YYH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=scott+swain%2C+the+trinity+an+introduction&sr=8-1
Do you think you know what it means to be pure of heart? Jesus promises that the pure in heart will see God (Matt. 5:8) but do we really want that? And if we do, how do we attain it? Join us in the final episode of this desert fathers series as we learn how to seek God in purity of heart. In this episode, I interview Andy Nichols on John Cassian's concept of "purity of heart." Andy is a father, preacher, teacher, and, in truth, a genuinely humble person. At the time of this recording, Andy is pursuing his doctorate at Aberdeen University where he is writing on John Cassian. We were blessed to have Andy on and ask that our viewers pray a quick blessing for his ministry and family. Further Reading: Institutes -- John Cassian https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Institutes-Boniface-Ramsey-ebook/dp/B086R3B83C Conferences -- John Cassian https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian-ebook/dp/B005UX65EC/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=john+cassian+conferences&s=digital-text&sr=1-3
In this episode I talk about the final two vices: vainglory and pride. Vainglory is the love of what others think of you while pride is the love of what you think of you. Additionally, we live in an age characterized by what scholars like Charles Taylor have called "expressive individualism." In this episode we break down what these last vices are, how they are expressed in modern American culture, and offer some wisdom from the desert fathers on how to confront them. We hope this episode may bless someone. Resources Used https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/prayer-antidote/ https://www.amazon.com/Inventing-Individual-Origins-Western-Liberalism-ebook/dp/B00P0RL278/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=inventing+the+individual&sr=8-1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX1WBmjP860&t=1318s https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/expressive-individualism-challenge-church/ https://www.amazon.com/Institutes-translated-annotated-Boniface-Ramsey/dp/0809105225/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=john+cassian+institutes&sr=8-1 Recommended Reading https://www.amazon.com/Institutes-translated-annotated-Boniface-Ramsey/dp/0809105225/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=john+cassian+institutes&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian/dp/0809104849/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=john+cassian+conferences&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
In this episode I discuss the vices of anger, sadness, and acedia/restlessness. We live in an age that is characterized by these vices. Whether one turns to social media, to statistics on depression and loneliness, or to the constant bustle of life in an information age, these vices confront us. How do we separate ourselves from anger in the face of apparent evil? Is sadness a sin? (Spoiler, yes and no, it isn't sin to be sad, but it is sin to let sadness control your actions.) Why do we often feel so distracted, what is wrong with that, and how do we learn to focus? These questions are at the heart of this episode and we hope this monologue is helpful. Recommended Reading https://www.amazon.com/Institutes-translated-annotated-Boniface-Ramsey/dp/0809105225/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian/dp/0809104849/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
In this episode Ian and I cover the vices of gluttony, fornication, and avarice. Respectively these are the love of food, the love of sensual pleasure, and the love of money. These vices are the root vices and deal primarily with overindulgence in excess and the desire for possessions. We hope our conversation will bless you. Recommended Reading
https://www.amazon.com/Institutes-translated-annotated-Boniface-Ramsey/dp/0809105225/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian/dp/0809104849/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
In this episode, we talk about the renunciation of the monks as John Cassian describes this in his Institutes. Renunciation means forsaking all possessions and ties with the world in order to serve Christ with whole hearted worship. It is a way of life that entails discernment and commitment. However it is a way of life with the payoff of drawing near to the truth source of life himself, Jesus Christ. Recommended Reading https://www.amazon.com/Institutes-translated-annotated-Boniface-Ramsey/dp/0809105225/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian/dp/0809104849/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=boniface+ramsay+john+cassian&sr=8-1&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
The desert fathers are the most influential spiritual masters in Christian history... Ok, that's an exaggeration, Jesus and the Apostles take first place, but the desert fathers are still important! These men (and women) inspired everything from renewal movements to mass evangelization down to the modern day. But who were they and why should anybody care? This episode introduces the desert fathers by summarizing St. Athanasius of Alexandria's Life of Anthony. This is part one of a seven-part series on the desert fathers. Sources/Recommended Reading: Life of Anthony by Athanasius of Alexandria -- https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2811.htm Balance of the Heart: Desert Spirituality for Twenty-First-Century Christians by Louis Farag -- https://www.amazon.com/Balance-Heart-Spirituality-Twenty-First-Century-Christians-ebook/dp/B00F8OKUNK Missionary Monks: An Introduction to the History and Theology of Missionary Monasticism by Edward L. Smither -- https://www.amazon.com/Missionary-Monks-Introduction-Theology-Monasticism-ebook/dp/B01N1ZC8SS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=missionary+monks&s=digital-text&sr=1-1
The Bible isn't like other books, at least, not if you are a confessing Christian. So, how do we go about reading it? This is the final installment of a seven-part series on the Bible and how we read it. Here, I interview scholar (and genuinely awesome guy) Daniel Trier. Dr. Trier is Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton Illinois. He is the author of numerous books, including Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice, which we discuss in this interview. Huge thanks to Dr. Trier for not only recording this with my dumb self once, but twice due to technical difficulties! Send prayers for his family and work at Wheaton. Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: https://www.amazon.com/Introducing-Theological-Interpretation-Scripture-Recovering/dp/0801031788 Other works by Daniel Trier: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Daniel-J.-Treier/author/B001IZ1JCE?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Upcoming Works: Keep your eyes peeled for Dr. Trier's upcoming works on theology and (if you're watching this five years after I published this video) technology!
The Bible reveals God and is full of his presence in a special way, but when we die and hopefully go to heaven, we won't spend our time worshipping the New Testament. Heaven heaven doesn't need a Bible because heaven is where God is. In this episode we talk about an ancient form of contemplation called the four senses, which was both a way of reading the Bible and a way of thinking about the world in order to see God's heavenly presence in it.
Alec's thesis: https://www.academia.edu/86755575/The_Four_Senses_%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%81%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B7_in_John_Cassian
John Cassian's The Institutes: https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Institutes-Boniface-Ramsey-ebook/dp/B086R3B83C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1SWIW8W8U9SGW&keywords=john+cassian+institutes+and+conferences&qid=1679690394&sprefix=john+cassian+institutes+%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-3
John Cassian's The Conferences: https://www.amazon.com/John-Cassian-Conferences-Ancient-Christian/dp/0809104849/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=john+cassian+institutes+and+conferences&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
In this episode we talk with theologian Brad East about what Scripture is, where it came from, and what it is for. While that might sound simple, for those of us who believe that the Church chose the books of the Bible that God co-authored through his many human authors for his mission to save the world through Jesus, things get deep fast. This is an episode well worth a second listen and we hope it blesses you.
Link to our new website: https://greattraditionpodc.wixsite.com/thegreattradition
Link to The Doctrine of Scripture: https://www.amazon.com/Doctrine-Scripture-Brad-East-ebook/dp/B09FYJ141P/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1UGGLQ2ZOUW51&keywords=brad+east+doctrine+of+scripture&qid=1678500472&sprefix=brad+east+the+%2Caps%2C302&sr=8-1
Modern readers often approach the Bible with a sort of "scientific method" approach, but the ancient church read it differently. On this episode we talk about the four ancient assumptions about the Bible that caused them to read it differently than us, as well as how to take advantage of ancient and modern methods of reading.
All Christians read the Bible when studying God, but that begs the question: why do we sometimes disagree? The reality is, we all use other sources of knowledge to understand God as well. In this episode we talk with author and professor Dr. Steven Cone about four categories we all use for understanding the Christian God: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.
For many Christians, "tradition" is a bad word. We disagree. In this episode, we talk about how tradition is Biblical, tradition is inevitable, and tradition helps us better understand God.