Thread by @codygbarnhart

People are tweeting about the Trinity debate and EFS/ERAS again.

To many, it’s faux-controversy or theologically unimportant.

I recently came to realize that it radically altered the course of my life, to be quite honest.

At the time, I pretty fiercely defended EFS. Not because I knew what I was talking about. Just because I only ever knew Grudem, and I was a 20yo theology student.

Through several conversations, I was taught a valuable lesson: do the hard work of studying your persuasions.

I was encouraged to read Athanasius, Gregory, Cyril, Maximus. I read Ayres’ Nicaea and its Legacy to dip my toes in Nicene waters.
I began to read more and more about the development of Christian doctrine.
And, as a result of that valuable lesson, I’m a PhD student in patristics.

I have lots of opinions on the conversation. I think EFS is a threat to orthodoxy, especially because Grudem’s ST was used widely in theological education for so long.

But, for now, I want to aspire to the hard work of studying my persuasions—to understand how/why we got here.

I guess there isn’t much of a “point” to this thread, other than this:
- Do hard and quiet work of learning why you have your opinions.
- Chase the questions that interest you because you have no idea where they will take you.
- Read the church fathers. 😉