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Christians didn't start using the word "Trinity" until the end of the 2nd century. But does that mean they weren't trinitarians until then? In this video, I look at the writings of three Church Fathers from the 2nd century, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Justin Martyr, and St. Irenaeus of Lyons, and ask whether their theology can be considered trinitarian.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Recommended Resources:  The Way to Nicaea: https://link.amazon/B0ev1jUuw Dissertation on Irenaeus: https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/109/ Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching: https://link.amazon/B02ircF6e 00:00 Introduction 01:22 St. Ignatius of Antioch 06:37 St. Justin Martyr 14:02 St. Irenaeus of Lyons 17:56 Conclusion Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by A. A. Kostas, a tremendously talented writer I've gotten to know through Substack. Earlier this year, Alex and I discovered that we had both written debut novels centered around pilgrimage which were set to be released around the same time. So, we thought it would be fun to chat about our novels, what inspires us to write, the state of Christian fiction, and more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: A. A. Kostas is a Canadian-Australian poet, writer, and lawyer, currently based in Singapore. He is the author of the poetry chapbook, Luminox, and his debut novel, The Pilgrims, comes out with Victorious Hermit Press in 2027. He writes the Substack newsletter Waymarkers. He is the poetry editor for Magazine Non Grata. His essays and reviews have been published in Mere Orthodoxy, Inkwell, Impact Magazine, The Republic of Letters, New Verse Review, Cordite Poetry Review, among others. Follow Alex on Substack: https://substack.com/@aakostas *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

I believe the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is true. But is that the same as saying it's a "salvation issue?" In Evangelical parlance, "salvation issues" are essentially those things you have to believe to be saved. They're similar to "dogmas" in other traditions. In this video, I explore the question of whether or not the doctrine of the trinity fits this description. Part of exploring this question involves exploring the nature of faith, the function of dogmas, and how the doctrine of the trinity relates to salvation. Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Recommended Resources: The Christian Doctrine of God by T. F. Torrance: https://link.amazon/B0cE7mEdd Justification and the Churches by Gerald Hiestand: https://link.amazon/B0ewCemPD On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius: https://link.amazon/B0hjn2O1X Letters to Serapion by St. Athanasius: https://link.amazon/B09Cj6O90 Veritatis Splendor by Pope St. John Paul II: https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor.html 00:00 Salvation Issues 02:37 The Nature of Faith 05:06 Trust and Assent 06:16 Understanding Dogma 10:59 Trinity and Salvation 17:21 Are Only Trinitarians Saved? Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

People often ask if the Bible teaches the doctrine of the Trinity OR is it a later development. But what if it's both? In this video, I lay out a basic case for how we can find the component parts of trinitarian doctrine in Scripture while also arguing that a fully mature trinitarian theology requires development. And that's ok! Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Books Mentioned: Putting Jesus in His Place: https://link.amazon/B00yx12Zb Works on the Spirit: https://link.amazon/B00MDyyMe 00:00 Framework 03:22 Monotheism 04:55 The Father is God 06:48 The Son is God 17:05 The Spirit is God 22:46 Distinction of Persons 25:35 Development of Doctrine  Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Matthew Bates to discuss his work on Justification, specifically the idea of salvation by allegiance alone and its implications for Protestant-Catholic debates. Books Discussed: Salvation by Allegiance Alone: https://link.amazon/B01RY8dSH Beyond the Salvation Wars: https://link.amazon/B08Xp3Wu2 Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Matthew W. Bates (PhD, Notre Dame) is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary with expertise on the gospel and salvation. His book Why the Gospel? (Eerdmans, 2024) won the Christianity Today award in popular theology and was Outreach magazine’s “Resource of the Year” in theology and Bible. His acclaimed academic titles include Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Baker Academic, 2017) and The Birth of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2015). He also co-founded and co-hosts the popular OnScript podcast. 00:00 Salvation by Allegiance 04:53 What Is Faith? 14:41 Christ as King 20:48 Embodied Allegiance 28:06 Ecumenical Implications 38:23 Where Catholics Go Wrong 49:45 Baptism and Allegiance 55:41 Where Protestants Go Wrong 01:00:47 Going Deeper *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Catholic apologist and repeat guest, Suan Sonna, to discuss Mary's role in the Early Church. Specifically, we're looking at some sources that I didn't bring up in my own video on the historical record for Marian doctrine and devotion in the early church. These sources include the Odes of Solomon, the Sibylline Oracles, and more. Along the way, we also talk at length about historical methodology and how history and theology intersect. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com 00:00 The Backstory 01:54 Ascension of Isaiah 06:08 History vs. Dogma 16:30 Odes of Solomon 26:00 "Gnosticism"? 35:13 Irenaeus 45:52 Sibylline Oracles 01:05:48 Gregory Thaumaturgus? *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver and the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings to discuss their book, Turning Points in Prayer Book History which traces the development of the Book of Common Prayer over the centuries.  Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Read the Book: https://link.amazon/B025gMLW8 00:00 What Would Cranmer Think? 10:14 Elizabethan Compromise 16:03 Via Media Theology 22:46 The Importance of Rubrics 32:54 Optionality in Liturgy 44:57 English vs. Scottish BCP 56:00 What's Next? *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by two repeat guests, Dr. Matthew Thomas and Dr. Barnabas Aspray. I've had the pleasure of getting to know both of these men over the last few years, and for almost the entirety of that time, they've insisted that I read one book: The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism by Fr. Louis Bouyer. Finally, after much delay, I've read the book, and the three of us sat down to discuss not only this book, but also two main ideas: 1. Nominalism is at the root of the negative aspects of the Reformation. 2. All the positive aspects of the Reformation can be found within the Catholic Church. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Read the Book: https://link.amazon/B09FL1iyu Guest Links: Barney's Podcast:  @FaithattheFrontiers  About Barney: https://stmarys.edu/staff/dr-barnabas-aspray/ About Matt: https://dspt.edu/matthew-thomas/ 00:00 The Backstory 11:50 Bouyer's Main Idea 19:47 Reformation Nominalism? 31:25 Still Nominalist? 39:26 What is Nominalism? 46:27 Anglican Exception? 01:07:29 My Reservations *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Michael Niebauer to discuss his new book, From Word to Worship, which is all about learning to read the Bible in accord with the lectionary, noticing the way it connects Scripture and presents it as a unified story with Christ at the center. Over the course of the conversation, we cover things like hermeneutics, preaching advice, the history of the lectionary, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book: https://link.amazon/B0j1PA3cV Substack: https://substack.com/@michaelniebauer 00:00 What is a Lectionary? 08:59 How are Readings Selected? 14:34 The Church Calendar 21:01 Three Year vs. One Year 26:50 Don't Just Preach the Gospel Text 30:20 Doctrine and Exegesis 36:41 The Church's Book 45:50 Examples 50:45 Living the Text 58:30 Preaching Advice *Links in the Description may include Affiliate Links, from which I receive a small commission at no extra price for you. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Bonnie Kristian to discuss her new book, In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to its Cultured Despisers. Over the course of the interview, we discuss what makes Evangelicalism unique, why its become a punching bag in American discourse, its entanglement with politics, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book:https://amzn.to/3VfDtEw Find Bonnie on Substack: https://substack.com/@bonniekristian 00:00 Why Now? 03:30 What is Evangelicalism? 18:43 Cultural Criticism of Evangelicals 24:14 Evangelical Self-Criticism 27:27 Evangelical Egalitarians 33:30 Tackiness 40:49 Global vs. American Evangelicalism 45:00 Evangelical Politics 51:29 One Thing to Know about Evangelicals Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Plant to discuss his new book, King Oswald's Heirs, which is a meditation on the 1662 BCP Catechism applied to the questions of re-enchantment and Christianity in a modern/post-modern world. It's a fascinating combination and well-worth reading. In this discussion, Fr. Thomas discusses the importance of embracing the traditions we've been given, whether the Reformation caused secularism, and much more. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Guest Links: Read the book: https://amzn.to/4x16Esi 00:00 The Reformation and Modernity 11:00 Post-Christianity 22:00 The Saints 27:00 Particular and Universal 47:30 Identity Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Brendan Case to discuss his new book, Doubting Thomas (UND Press), which covers a host of debates between St. Thomas Aquinas and his Franciscan counterparts, especially St. Bonaventure. In this discussion, Dr. Case shares a few instances where he thinks Bonaventure got the better of Thomas. Moreover, he shares why these debates matter and how they might better help us understand the place of Thomas in modern theology. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Brendan W. Case, Th.D., serves as the Associate Director for Research at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program. A Christian theologian by training, Case’s work brings theology and philosophy into conversation with the empirical social sciences to understand the nature, distribution, and determinants of a good life. Dr. Case is the author or co-author of five books: The Gentleness of Wisdom: A Christian Ethics of Charity, Anger, and Enmity (Routledge, 2026); Doubting Thomas: Early Franciscan Disputes with Aquinas (University of Notre Dame Press, 2026); The Justification of the Sinless: Supralapsarian Christology and the Goodness of the Incarnation (Baker Academic, 2026); The Accountable Animal: Justice, Justification, and Judgment (T&T Clark, 2021), and (with William Glass) Least of the Apostles: Paul and His Legacies in Earliest Christianity (Pickwick Press, 2022). Guest Links: Read the book: https://amzn.to/3UnrxQQ The Justification of the Sinless: https://amzn.to/4ccbZFP Learn more: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/team/brendan-case Chapters 00:00 The Place of St. Thomas in Theology 04:46 St. Bonaventure's Approach 10:01 Reception of Thomas in his time 20:04 The Trinity and divine relations 25:12 The Ontological Argument 30:07 Implications of different theological emphases 35:05 Bonaventure today 39:55 Beyond the Summa 45:13 Mystical theology in Bonaventure 49:48 Historical and contemporary views on Thomas and Bonaventure 54:57 The future of theological study Support the show

What did the earliest Christians believe about the Virgin Mary? That's what I'll cover in this video, looking at both orthodox and heterodox groups, as well as written and material evidence. This is the longest and most detailed video yet in my ongoing series on the history of Marian doctrine and devotion.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com Videos Referenced:  Protevangelium: https://youtu.be/rgHV-leh6P8?si=cseP3b3EpdPoSqCk Dormition/Assumption: https://youtu.be/0ylKNQmE1oE?si=DSHGJLl_yXO75-4J Rejecting Mary? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCZ-ZK8e17c&list=PLPYmFzsNDDO-WMGWwl6gTofsw_J-k_Bcd&index=4 Recommended Secondary Sources:  Yale Dura Europos Website: https://duraeuropos.artgallery.yale.edu/ Stephen Shoemaker, Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion Miri Rubin, Mother of God 0:00 Introduction 012:28 Ascension of Isaiah 06:03 St. Ignatius of Antioch 07:38 St. Justin Martyr 09:52 Protevangelium of James 13:52 St. Irenaeus of Lyons 20:23 Gnostics on Mary 24:44 Tertullian 26:35 St. Clement of Alexandria 27:48 Origen of Alexandria 30:53 Third Century Summary 31:23 Sub Tuum Praesidium 36:37 Mary in Early Christian Art 40:49 The Book of Mary's Repose 43:19 Concluding Thoughts Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

Since its definition as a dogma in 1950, Mary's Bodily Assumption has been a point of tension between Protestants and Catholics. For some, it's the beautiful telos of the other Marian dogmas. For others, it's a bewildering act of dogmatizing something that seems unnecessary.  This video isn't about who's right. Instead, this video is a look at the historical development of Christian belief in Mary's Bodily Assumption through three sources: St. Epiphanius of Salamis, apocryphal Dormition/Assumption narratives, and liturgical history.  This video is deeply indebted to the work of Dr. Stephen Shoemaker. You can find the links for his work in the resources section below.  Join Me on the Camino!: https://www.gospelsimplicity.com/pilgrimage Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity  Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com References: Stephen Shoemaker, Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary's Dormition and Assumption: https://academic.oup.com/book/27239 Stephen Shoemaker, Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion: https://amzn.to/4zotIUo Matthew Levering, Mary's Bodily Assumption: https://amzn.to/4bLfP8E 0:00 Background 05:53 St. Epiphanius, 4th c. 13:32 Dormition/Assumption Apocrypha 29:19 Liturgy 31:55 Conclusion Disclaimer: Links in the description may contain affiliate links, from which I receive a small percentage of the purchase. Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Zachary Wagner, author of Men of Virtue, to discuss the crises men are facing, the problematic solutions being offered, and why embracing a Christian vision of virtue is the answer. Pre-order my novel, The Long Road to Holy Island: https://amzn.to/4sISAC9 Get access to my book club, one-on-one office hours, show notes, and more:  https://patreon.com/gospelsimplicity Make a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/gospelsimplicity Book a meeting: https://calendly.com/gospelsimplicity/meet-with-austin Read my writings: https://austinsuggs.substack.com About the Guest: Zachary Wagner is an author, ordained minister, and New Testament scholar. He earned a DPhil from Oxford in 2025. He published his first book, Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality, in 2023 with InterVarsity Press. His second book, Men of Virtue: How the Fruit of the Spirit Forms Male Character in the Modern World, will release from Brazos Press in May 2026. He is currently pursuing publication for his DPhil thesis, as well as a further writing and research projects on Christianity and Stoicism. Guest Links: Book: https://amzn.to/3TBoAfg Substack: https://substack.com/@zacharywagner Website: https://www.zacharycwagner.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zacharycwagner Support the show