Proclaiming the Triune God: The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Life of the Church

by Matthew Barrett, Ronni Kurtz, Samuel G. Parkison

The doctrine of the Trinity is not an optional add-on, nor is it a technical matter for those with specialized training. Pastors and everyday Christians alike should seek to profess the Trinity confidently, whether from the pulpit or in conversation.

Written by four pastor-theologians, Proclaiming the Triune The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Life of the Church declares that an orthodox doctrine of the Trinity is essential for the life of the whole church, not just for theologians and scholars.

Through adapted sermons, the authors demonstrate how pastors can preach this doctrine confidently and accessibly without compromising orthodoxy. The book begins with an introduction that inspires pastors and churchgoers alike to make the Trinity central in the church once again. The adapted sermons then explore various facets of the Trinity in an accessible way, while maintaining theological rigor.

Proclaiming the Triune God is an accessible, yet academically rich companion for pastors as they seek to proclaim the Triune God to their flocks.

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“This helpful overview of trinitarian theology began as sermons, and while the authors don’t hold back on doctrinal details, they give special attention to why theology matters for the spiritual lives of all believers. I can think of several books that vault up into the doctrine and expertly carry out maneuvers worth applauding, but very few that make sure to stick the landing. High points for this undertaking.
—Fred Sanders, professor of theology, Torrey Honors College, Biola University
 
 “Proclaiming the Triune God sets forth, with scriptural fidelity, theological clarity, and great beauty, a feast of the sublime truth that we worship one God in three persons. This book takes readers on a deep dive into doctrine but makes it accessible to the person in the pew without sacrificing truth. If you want to know and worship our triune God with greater knowledge, devotion, and love, this is the book to read.”
—J. V. Fesko, Harriet Barbour Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi

“The entirety of the Christian life can be summed up in communion with the triune God and his people. In Proclaiming the Triune God, these two truths are front and The only God who saves is the triune God. And it is the greatest delight of God’s people to not just be saved by him but to fellowship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I am praying more churches will experience a renewed vision of the God who saves and communes with his people.”
—J. T. English, pastor, Storyline Church, Denver, Colorado

Genres: Theology, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Matthew Barrett (MDiv, PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is associate professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the executive editor of Credo Magazine. He is the author of numerous books, including God's Word Alone, 40 Questions about Salvation, Reformation Theology, John Owen on the Christian Life, and Salvation by Grace. He is also the host of the Credo podcast where he talks with fellow theologians about the most important doctrines of the faith. He lives in Kansas City.

Reviews

[Jono Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful! I don’t think I’ve underlined and starred as many pages in any other book. This will be my new go-to book on the Trinity for recommending to fellow church members. Deeply theological, historically rooted, and doxological in orientation. I’m so thankful for these authors and the work they’re doing to proclaim the beauty of the Triune God for the health and strength of the local church.

[Adam Kareus · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 6 short chapters the doctrine of the Trinity is "rediscovered" and proclaimed. While hitting on some deepers issues within this topic, such as the simplicity of God, eternal generation of the Son and eternal spiration of the Spirit, as well as inseparable operations, this book makes very clear that christian faith is a triune faith. One of my favorite lines comes from chapter 1 "You are not asked, friends, to comprehend this. You are asked, rather, to confess it and revel in it." I love this line because so many people get caught up in the difficult nature of the doctrine in their minds and so push it aside, but the Scriptures reveal it and so we confess it.

[Lukas Merrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christians should read this book. More specifically, pastors should read this book.

It does two things really well: introduces classical trinitarianism and demonstrates how knowing God deeply is the most practical thing you can do. I think the latter is where the book shines.

“What we hope has become clear from the pages of this book is that the Trinity is not a doctrine to be somewhat applied to piety; rather, all things in the Christian life find their meaning and fulfillment in light of the Trinity.”

We desperately need to shrink the chasm between doxology and theology in the church, and this book is such a gift towards that end.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. It serves as an excellent introduction to the doctrine of the trinity.

The only reason I do not give 5 stars is that in being a book coauthored by 4 men it started to seem a little bit repetitive at points throughout the book.
Another reason is that it did not really stick to its goal throughout the book. The goal stated even in the subtitle is to help make the doctrine of the trinity accessible and practically applicable to the life of the church. It started trying to do this but towards the end it seems like this goal was abandoned.

Other than that though this book was encouraging and very formative with many notes taking us back through Church history. I would recommend this read to others.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. The authors gave lots of doctrine and explanation of the Trinity; however, it seems to me more like a book on the beauty of the Trinity, and how we worship Father, Son, and Holy Spirit based on the true beauty of the God head.

Highly recommend this book. It is entry level enough that a beginner into this doctrine can pick it up and be ok; yet it gives some nice additional detail on the doctrine, and can take you to a new level of understanding.

“Take Up and Read” - Saint Augustine

[Mresch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the size and marketing I read about this book I did not expect it to be as deep and complex as it was! There is a large focus on studying creeds and church fathers, an area I’m less well versed in. This was good and helpful and also at times difficult! The authors predict this and give a warning/encouragement at the start to do the hard work ahead. The best parts of this book were when they would draw specific applications from what they were teaching to life as a Christian now, I found myself wishing there was more of that!

[Isaac Norr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, very deep for my theological level. Painting a complex, beautiful, and practical meaning of the Triune God is a tall task. The authors acknowledge this, and yet bring a thorough explanation of how the Triune God does and should impact our daily lives in addition to our theological understanding. Ideally I will be revisiting this book again sometime when my theological intellect has grown so I can better appreciate its depth.

[H.W. Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were to put this in a category, I’d put it in the intermediate level for a lay theologian. It’s not overly complex, but still dives into the grammar and interconnected nature of doctrine. It’s certainly a 5/5 for quality and ability to articulate complex ideas in an understandable way.

[Sean Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and accessible book on the Trinity, explaining important but often neglected doctrines such as eternal generation and inseparable operations.