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http://trinities.org/blog/archives/6575 Professor Richard Swinburne holds that by reason alone, we can show that it’s reasonable to believe that God exists. This is, historically, a popular view, and one which many educated Christians hold today. As he mentioned in our previous episode, it only went out of fashion when the philosopher Immanuel Kant’s opinions (but not his arguments for them!) became educated peoples’ assumptions. (He held that all the arguments were unconvincing, and that in principle no successful argument for God’s existence could be made.)

But professor Swinburne has argued that also, we can argue from reason alone that the one God is a Trinity. This, historically, is a small minority view. I’m only aware of similar arguments being accepted by Richard of St. Victor, Stephen T. Davis, and William Hasker. With Swinburne included, that makes one theologian from the high middle ages, and three in the 20th-21st centuries. (Although there are a few suggestive thoughts along these lines in Augustine.)

As he explains in this episode, such an argument depends on a particular way of thinking about the Trinity. In his view, the Trinty consists of three perfect selves, each one omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. He argues, roughly, that if there is one such, then there must be exactly three such. One alone would not, he argues, be perfect. And together, they are the one God, collectively, the underived source of all else.

Is this really the right way to understand the “Persons” of the creedal statements? How can there be more than one omnipotent self? How can this count as monotheism? And does this fit divine revelation, particularly in the Hebrew scriptures? If his view is correct, why shouldn’t Christians confess belief in three gods? Professor Swinburne expounds his views and answers these objections in this episode of the trinities podcast.

Weekly podcast exploring views about the Trinity, and more generally about God and Jesus in Christian theology and philosophy. Debates, interviews, and historical and contemporary perspectives. Hosted by philosopher of religion / analytic theologian Dr. Dale Tuggy.