In this episode of Remnant Radio, Joshua Lewis and Michael Rowntree welcome Dr. Gerald Bray to discuss the Trinity and the Fatherhood of God, drawing from Dr. Bray’s extensive work in church history and systematic theology. The conversation begins by establishing the Old Testament roots of God’s fatherhood, contrasting it with the more personal and direct revelation of the Father through Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Dr. Bray elucidates how Jesus, by calling God “Father” and declaring unity with Him, both revealed and redefined the concept of divine fatherhood, a notion that was considered blasphemous by some Jewish leaders.

‍

The discussion addresses the apparent paradox of Jesus, as the Son, calling God Father while also teaching believers to do the same. Dr. Bray explains this through the theological distinction between the nature and personhood of God, emphasizing that while humans are created in God’s image as persons, they do not share His divine nature. This distinction is crucial for understanding the Trinity and avoiding the heresy of patripassianism, the belief that the Father suffered on the cross.

‍

Dr. Bray further explains how the early church fathers understood adoption as the pinnacle of salvation, highlighting the transformative nature of being brought into God’s family. He contrasts this with the Old Testament concept of Israel as God’s chosen people, emphasizing that while Israel often failed to live up to its calling, God remained faithful to His covenant. The conversation also explores the economic and ontological aspects of the Trinity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the distinctions between the Father, Son, and Spirit for the integrity of the gospel message. Dr. Bray stresses that if we remove the distinctions between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we lose the essence of the Gospel itself.

‍