The Trinity Debates is a series of discussions on challenging issues related to the church, theology, and the Christian life. These conversations include presentations by experts followed by a time of open discussion. This debate series is intended to be a community resource which fosters deeper reflection and dialogue on difficult topics. All Trinity Debates will be free and open to the public.
October 9, 2008 - 7:00pm | Do relations of authority and submission exist eternally among the Persons of the Godhead?

Location | TEDS Chapel (TEDS)

Participants | Bruce Ware (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and Wayne Grudem (Phoenix Seminary) versus Drs. Tom McCall (TEDS) and Keith Yandell (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

This debate follows current argumentation in the academic sphere between the two sides. Though a theological exchange between expert scholars, this event will prove beneficial for Christians of all backgrounds. The doctrine of the Trinity is at the heart of the Christian faith and takes into account questions of scriptural interpretation, theological synthesis, and philosophical reasoning. Determining the identities and roles of the persons of the Godhead is thus of great importance not only to the academician, but to the pastor, the layperson, the student and all who would seek to probe and comprehend the beautiful complexity of orthodox Christianity.

The Center anticipates that the debate will be lively, informative, charitable, enjoyable, and, we trust, helpful to a wide variety of Christians and even non-Christians who wish to better understand one of the central realities of the faith. All should consider themselves invited and welcome to this free evening of debate and dialogue over theological issues that matter.



April 10, 2008 - 7:00 pm | Can a Christian be a Religious Pluralist?

Location | Kantzer Lecture Hall (TEDS)

John 3:16 is undoubtedly among the most famous Bible passages of all time: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." But what happens to those who do not believe in Jesus? Is belief in the person and work of Jesus the only way to please God and thereby gain everlasting life? Or might Christians allow for the possibility that other pathways can lead to gaining God's favor as well? What happens to people who haven't heard the Gospel of Christ, who haven't understood it, or who, for whatever reason, have chosen to pursue God from one of the many other (explicitly non-Christian) religious alternatives?

Drs. Harold Netland and Paul Knitter will take part in the annual Trinity Debates by probing these and other questions. Formally, the evening will be a debate over the question, "Can a Christian be a Religious Pluralist?" This will be a passionate and engaging dialogue between two of Christendom's most notable thinkers on the right relationship of Christianity to other religions. Paul Knitter is the Paul Tillich Chair of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary, and author of numerous books, including No Other Name? (NY: Orbis Books, 1985; now on its 11th printing). He will be arguing the "yes" part of the debate-a Christian can be religious pluralist. Harold Netland is Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies and Naomi A. Fausch Chair of Missions at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of Encountering Religious Pluralism (Downers Grove: IVP, 2001) and will be arguing the "no" side of the debate-a Christian cannot be a religious pluralist.

This event is open to the public and seating is free on first come, first serve basis.