Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Throwing out critical-thinking skills to be a Trinitarian

I recently came across an article by Michael Patton entitled, "The Trinity is like 3-in-1 Shampoo" . . . And other Stupid Statements. Previously on this blog, I discussed Patton's blatant abuse of the early Church Fathers (via an uncritical [and unacknowledged] use of Keith Mathison work on the issue from the book, The Shape of Sola Scriptura [2001]) here and here.

The article cautions against the analogies one often finds to help demonstrate the Trinity, similar to the following popular youtube video:




What really grabbed my attention was this comment about the Trinity, the central doctrine of so-called "Orthodoxy" (emphasis added):

One more thing. I often tell my students that if they say, “I get it!” or “Now I understand!” that they are more than likely celebrating the fact that they are a heretic! When you understand the biblical principles and let the tensions remain without rebuttal, then you are orthodox. When you solve the tension, you have most certainly entered into one of the errors that we seek to avoid.

Confused? Good! That is just where you need to be.

Patton, a Trinitarian apologist, urges his Christian students to confess a faith that is incomprehensible, ignoring any difficulties ("tensions") one encounters (whether from the Bible, logic, or history), and labels such a benchmark of "Orthodoxy" (contrast this with the words of Jesus John 4:22: ". . . we know what we worship . . . [if Patton were consistent, Jesus was close to “[entering] into one of the errors [Trinitarians] seek to avoid”]) The "chuck your brain at the door"-mentality is amazing. Furthermore, imagine if such a sentiment was held by a non-Trinitarian--Patton et al. would use this as "proof" of the "cultic" nature of their opponent's faith-group, but when it comes to preserving belief in the Trinity, consistency is thrown out the window (alongside one's critical-reasoning skills).