Family Friday Links 7.29.16 on Trinitarian Theology

Over the past month, there has been a less than gentle but revealing debate about the nature of the Trinity on social media. In one corner were those who believe in the submission of the Son to the Father in eternity past (Bruce Ware, Wayne Grudem, Denny Burk). And in the other corner those who don't and believe this idea is a new movement away from Christian orthodoxy (Liam Goligher, Carl Trueman, Scot McKnight).

While this may seem like a debate for nerds in the academy, the dispute is important for Christians to think about. It impacts what we believe about God and his gospel. Moreover, because 1 Corinthians 11:30 connects submission in human relationships to Christ's submission to God the Father, this debate has implications for what Christians should think and teach about gender.  

Here are some of the best resources I've come across: 

• "Eternal Submission in the Trinity? A Quick Guide to the Current Debate" by Andrew Wilson. This is your best guide to all the issues involved. 
• "Heresy and Humility: Lessons from a Current Controversy" by R. Albert Mohler. Dr. Mohler gives an overview of the church history behind this debate, tells us that charges of heresy are overblown, and most importantly encourages humility.
• "The Eternal Subordination of the Son (and Women)" by Hannah Anderson and Wendy Alsup. Anderson and Alsup make a distinction (important for the transgender debates) between the essence of our biological sex and the roles we play in covenant relationships. Fascinating read. 
• "Listen in as Four Theologians Discuss the Trinity Debate" In this interview, Fred Zaspel interviews Mike Ovey, Fred Sanders, Scott Swain, and Stephen Wellum about eternal submission of the Son. Their interaction is very helpful.
• "Complementarianism in Crisis?" by Andrew Wilson. Wilson tells us why this debate doesn't make him worry but gives him hope. If you can only read a couple of the articles, read the two by Wilson.