Into Theology

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss divine persons in Thomas Aquinas's Summa. They talk through why Thomas thinks the word person eminently applies to God, and how it is fitting to use of God, even if the Bible does not use that term. Here is a link to the article I wrote on God's processions, relations, and persons to clarify things from the last episode: https://wyattgraham.com/god-two-processions-four-relations-three-persons/.

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian stumble along trying to keep up with Thomas Aquinas as he explains how the Father, Son, and Spirit relate to one another while remaining the one God of Israel. The Bible tells us that the Father is the Father of the Son, and the Son of the Father. So they are distinct yet both remain the one God. How can we talk about this? Thomas summarizes the theological explanation of this reality through his discussion on relations in God. The key is that the word "generation" refers to the procession of the Son, while filiation and paternity describe the relation of Father and Son. But for the Spirit, there is no proper name for the relation. Both the procession and relation use a common word. So the pairing for the Spirit if spiration from the Father and Son and procession (the common term) of the Spirit from both.  Emery writes: "It gives us paternity (the relation of the Father to the Son), filiation (the relation of the Son to the Father), the spiration of the Holy Spirit (the relation of the Father and the Son in respect to the Holy Spirit), and the procession of the Holy Spirit (the relation of the Holy Spirit in respect to the Father and the Son)" (Aquinas, 99–100). He further explains: “Thomas comes back to the linguistic problem which we have in talking about the procession of the Holy Spirit: we must use a common name (‘procession') to designate both the origin proper to the Holy Spirit and the relations springing from this origin. Whereas, when we are speaking about the mutual reference of the Father and the Son, we can make a linguistic distinction between the procession (‘generation') and the relations which it founds, (‘paternity' and ‘filliation'), linguistic constraints compel us to designate the relations by the procession and the action themselves (‘procession' and ‘spiration')” (Aquinas 101). 

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt talk about the procession of the will in God, namely, that Love of God which we call the Holy Spirit.

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian discuss divine processions, which refer to the how the Father, Son, and Spirit relate to one another. This section of the Summa Theologiae prepares us to talk about the "relations of origin" in God as well as the persons of God: Father, Son, and Spirit.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss Providence and Predestination in Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae---Book 1, Questions 22 to 23. 

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian (who pretends to be Matthew Mcconaughey) talk about the Love and Mercy of God in Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae---Book I.Q20-21.

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian discuss Thomas Aquinas's view of truth and falseness.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss both how God knows and how we as creatures know anything. It's a bit technical, we hope to introduce you into the basic notions of how God and his creatures come to know truth which Thomas will discuss in ST I.16.

While the Bible describes God in all sorts of ways, it also tells us that heaven and highest heaven cannot contain him (1 King 8:27). It tells us that God is Spirit, invisible, and immortal. Given what God is, does our language really tell us anything about God? Thomas Aquinas says "yes" it does; and not only that, the biblical authors intend to tell us about God. How? Aquinas surveys the options and concludes we can talk about God in a number of ways, especially through analogical or proportional statements. If you want to learn how to talk about God in a biblical and true way, listen to this podcast as Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham attempt to summarize question 13 of Thomas's Summa Theologicae on the divine names.

While the Bible describes God in all sorts of ways, it also tells us that heaven and highest heaven cannot contain him (1 King 8:27). It tells us that God is Spirit, invisible, and immortal. Given what God is, does our language really tell us anything about God? Thomas Aquinas says "yes" it does; and not only that, the biblical authors intend to tell us about God. How? Aquinas surveys the options and concludes we can talk about God in a number of ways, especially through analogical or proportional statements. If you want to learn how to talk about God in a biblical and true way, listen to this podcast as Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham attempt to summarize question 13 of Thomas's Summa Theologicae on the divine names.

In this episode, Drs. Graham and Clary discuss whether or not we can see God's essence directly in heaven. In a surprising turn, Thomas Aquinas says we can see God's essence in heaven. Why does he affirm this when he has already argued we cannot know God's essence (in our life here below)? Because the Bible affirms it: "we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2).

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian discuss Thomas's view of God's immutability and eternity. They show how each of Thomas's affirmations of God fit together in a coherent way in accord with Scriptural teaching.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss how Thomas articulates God's infinity and how this Infinite God nevertheless is in all things (ST I.Q7-8). Join us to learn more about the living God!

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt return from their hiatus to discuss divine simplicity in Thomas Aquinas (ST I.Q3). While divine simplicity can be tough to understand, it's an important teaching for us to grasp as we seek to know the living God. Join us to learn more!

In this episode, we take a break from our reading of Thomas Aquinas's Summa and instead discuss Thomas Aquinas with Ryan Hurd. We discuss Thomas Aquinas's view of the doctrine of God and talk through some of his basic approaches to theology. If you have been reading Thomas with us, this episode will help you appreciate his intellectual context better to help you read and understand his works. If you want to learn from Ryan, consider registering for his class at the Davenant Hall (online): https://davenanthall.com/product/compendium-of-theology-readings-in-thomas-aquinas/

After affirming God's existence since God himself says he exists (Exod 3:14), Thomas shares five ways that show God's existence. In the context of the Summa, Thomas here aims to establish the existence of his object of study, which in this case is God. Here he follows a standard procedure in pre-modern scientific study to first establish the existence of a subject before characterizing how it exists or its essence. Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discussed the First Way in some detail in their last episode as well.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discussion Thomas's second question in the Summa. In Thomas's age, asking whether something exists was the first part of someone's study. Thomas obviously believes God does exist. In an almost comical line, Thomas answers the question "Whether God Exists" by saying "yes" because God says he does in Exodus 3:14, "I am who I am!" If God says it, then he must exist. Now, the Bible also says some people mentally believe God does not exist (Ps 53:1). So, while God does exist and it is self-evident, we can reason from God's created effects back to the existence of God, which Thomas believes we should and can do because Paul tells us to do so in Romans 1:20. Drs. Clary and Graham also discuss the first of the five ways of God's existence. They push back against the notion that God is somehow immobile since he is the first mover. That, they show, is not what Thomas has in mind.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham continue discussing Thomas Aquinas's view of Holy Scripture. They discuss his view of the four senses of Scripture: literal, allegorical, tropological, and anagogical. Thomas makes a (perhaps surprisingly) clear argument for the importance of the literal sense, and a way of grasping the spiritual sense of Scripture that neither negates nor destroys the literal sense.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss how Thomas Aquinas is a teacher of common sense. As well, they discuss how Thomas Aquinas held to the authority and inspiration of Scripture for sacred doctrine.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham introduce Thomas Aquinas in preparation for reading Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham finish their reading of Proverbs 1-9. They talk about wisdom and seduction and how living a wise life means you live a life of flourishing and more besides.

Join Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham as they discuss the theology of Proverbs. The Into Theology podcast reads through great books of theology, including biblical books.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt invite Dr. Matthew Hoskin on to the podcast to discuss the Late Antique world of Augustine. They discuss the various names and people that live around Augustine's time, the nature of the Polis, Pope Leo and his famous letter on Christology. In a short episode, they basically cover the period between 350 and 450 in the Mediterranean world. Do register for one or both of Dr. Hoskins classes, which are both offered online. Here is the link for class on the Nicene era at Davenant Hall: https://davenanthall.com/product/theological-world-nicene-controversy/. Here is the link for his course at Ryle Seminary on God and creation (Theology I): https://www.ryleseminary.ca/programs-courses. Both can be taken by anyone and done entirely online. 

Wyatt Graham, Ian Clary, and Gavin Ortlund

Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham finish their read through of Augustine's Confessions. In this episode then, they discuss chapter 13---the final chapter of the Confessions. Here, Augustine's argument comes to rest as he finds his rest in God, and God rests in him. This chapter is a contemplation of Augustine's relationship to God (and so ours). It is a chapter worth reading and re-reading, as Augustine shows how his restless heart finds its rest in God.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Book XII of Augustine's Confessions. In this book, Augustine seeks to understand the meaning of Genesis 1. On the basis of other Scripture that talks about creation (like Colossians 1 and Psalm 115), he sees that Genesis 1:1 must talk also about the invisible creation of thrones and powers and other non-visible creatures. At the same time, Genesis 1:8 must talk about the heavens that we see since God here names the firmament "heaven." As he contemplates the meaning of the passage, Augustine also takes umbrage with those who are "know it alls" and think they can know the mind of Moses. Well, we do our best. And the good news is that God made the Bible available to the cobbler and scholar alike. According to each's capability, they can know what the text means by what it says, even if they have a different way of putting it. God is much wiser than we are. And in so far as Augustine gets Genesis 1 and biblical interpretation right, he is often much wiser than we are too!

In this short episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham talk about Dr. Coleman Ford's new book on Augustine and friendship called,"A Bond between Souls." Dr. Ford was a guest on the podcast earlier this year, and we could not be happier for him to publish this new book with Lexham Press.   Here is the link to Dr. Ford's book: https://lexhampress.com/product/224279/a-bond-between-souls-friendship-in-the-letters-of-augustine Also, here is a link to Dr. Clary's work on Augustine, "God Crowns His Own gifts": https://hesedandemet.com/product/god-crowns-his-own-gifts-augustine-grace-and-the-monks-of-hadrumetum/

Ian and Wyatt invited Dr. Caleb Cohoe to help guide us (and you) through some of the trickier philosophical contexts in the Confessions. We talk about Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Neoplatonism (and more) to help make sense of the world Augustine lived in. As well, we tackle the question of why Book 10-13 differ from Book 1-9 in the Confessions. See Dr. Cohoe's website at: http://www.ccohoe.com/.

Ian and Wyatt briefly discuss and recommend Scott Swain's new book, The Trinity: An Introduction. 

Ian and Wyatt briefly discuss and recommend Dietrich Bonhoeffer's work Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible.

In this episode, we discuss book XI of Augustine's Confessions in which explores time and God's eternity.

In Book X of Augustine's Confessions, Augustine spends a considerable amount of time trying to understand his memory and how God can be in the memory when God is not an object of our experience. We don't see or taste God like we do food. He is not an emotion. He is not something normal in our experience. Yet we can know him. How? The answer involves God being nowhere in particular but everywhere present.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Book Ten of Augustine's Confessions. They provide an introduction to the idea of memory in this lengthy chapter. In short, Augustine reflects on memory and the mind to explain how he came to know God and how others might do the same.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Book 9 of Augustine's Confessions. Here, Augustine finally receives the waters of Baptism. But on the way to Africa, tragedy hits. His mother Monica dies.

Under the fig free in Milan, God answers Augustine's prayer. Finally, as Augustine turns to Scripture, he can find rest for his weary soul in the unchanging God of the Bible. In today's episode, we discuss Book 8 of Augustine's Confessions.

Ian and Wyatt do their first in-person episode of Into Theology in this episode! And we plan to start up regular recording starting next week. We cover Book 7 of Augustine's Confessions, discussing Augustine's view of God and the origin of evil.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt cover book 6 of Augustine's Confessions. In this book, Augustine speaks about how temptations and enticements to honour and sex enslaved him. But in Milan, he hears Ambrose preach. And he begins to know God as he ought to know him.

We asked Dr. Coleman Ford to talk to us for a special episode on Augustine and friendship. While we dip our feet into the Confessions, we primarily talk about what friendship is like and how Augustine understood it. This episode is for anyone but especially those who yearn for deeper and better friendships.

In this episode, Drs. Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham continue their discussion of Augustine's Confessions. They talk through Book 5 of the Confessions in this episode. They speak of the limits of what we can know apart from the Bible, the nature of evil, and more! In the Book of the Confessions, Augustine goes to teach in Carthage and then Rome before getting to Milan. On the way to Rome, he abandoned his mother, but was with her again in Milan where he started attending services under the great Ambrose, bishop of the city. The book ends with him becoming a catechumen again. There's some interesting contrast between pride/ignorance, and the need for humility. Also rhetorical ideas about style over substance, with a nod to the Sophists in the Athens of Socrates' time.

In this episode, we talk about Augustine's view of friendship as well as how God illumines our minds. The episode focuses on Book IV of the Confessions.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss Augustine's understanding of God through his engagement with philosophy and Manichaeism. He came to learn how to follow the signs of God in his created order to come to know God who is, as Jesus said, Spirit (John 4:24). This episode covers Book 3 of Augustine's Confessions.

In this episode, Ian and Wyatt discuss Augustine's view of love (and more!) from Book II of Augustine's Confessions. We all come from God and return to him. But due to our sin and ignorance, we miss the mark. We turn what should be good into evil, our love is disordered. 

Augustine famously tells us that the human heart is restless until it finds rest in God. Doctors Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss this important reality and how we can find rest in God by their study of the first book of Augustine's Confessions. They also introduce the whole work.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Calvin's view of the civil government and the church. We contrast Calvin's view, often called the two-kingdom view, with Theonomy, Roman Catholicism, and Anabaptism. We also discuss whether or not Christians should submit to unjust or even wicked rulers. Possibly, this might be one of the most practical episodes that we have recorded, given our current context (pandemic, restrictions, etc.). We think there is deep wisdom in looking to the past, to the great thinkers of Christianity like John Calvin. It protects us from creating a theology merely in response to present-day concerns. It allows us to avoid the temptation to create a theology that fits our desires rather than the truth of God. Calvin's doctrine of two-kingdoms, actually two-governments, ensures that we proclaim Christ as king of the whole universe while understanding our obligations to both God and to our neighbours. To learn more about two-kingdom theology from the reformation, see Brad Littlejohn's article here: https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/two-kingdoms-the-riches-of-reformational-political-thought/

Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham give an introduction to the life of Augustine of Hippo, as well as a discussion about his great work of theology—the Confessions. Join us as we spend the next weeks studying Augustine's Confessions.

In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss John Calvin's view of Baptism and the Lord's Supper from his Institutes 4.15.

In this episode, we discuss John Calvin's view of the sacraments. Calvin follows Augustine's view of sign and thing signified when it comes to the sacraments, namely, the Lord's Supper and baptism.

In this episode, Wyatt and Ian discuss John Calvin's view of the conscience. In sum, Calvin argues that governments cannot bind our consciences because they do not require us to believe things that would prevent our salvation. On the other hand, religious tyranny can bind our consciences by adding requirements to the free Gospel. Calvin here balances Christian freedom, conscience, and tyranny within Scriptural teaching. Religious tyranny binds the conscience by preventing or impeding salvation through its law. Christian freedom, however, means that despite what happens in our life, we remain free. We can be in prison and free. Governments simply do not have the tools to bind our consciences, but they only bind us to external works. To learn more, read Calvin himself and listen to this podcast! We cover Book 4 and Chapter 10 of Calvin's Institutes.

In this episode, we talk about John Calvin's view of Sola Scriptura and church councils from his Institutes of Christian Religion.