Dr. Frank Macchia and the Doctrine of the Trinity
Well, I’m now in my first semester in the Master of Divinity Program at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
I just wanted to write a blog about my latest and greatest class on the Doctrine of the Trinity with Dr. Frank Macchia at AGTS. Personally, it was a dream come true…not only were we studying one of my favorite topics in systematic theology (The Trinity!), but also having the opportunity of studying under one of the greatest living Pentecostal theologians in the world inspired great awe.
Here was our required reading:
David Bernard, The Oneness of God (Series in Pentecostal Theology, Vol. 1) (Word Aflame, 1986).
Gregory Boyd, Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity (Baker, 1992).
Stanley Grenz, Rediscovering the Triune God: The Trinity in Contemporary Theology (Augsburg/Fortress, 2004).
Robert Letham, The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology And Worship (P & R Pub., 2005).
We were also assigned to make a presentation on the Trinitarian thought of some theologian so I chose: Thomas Torrance, The Christian Doctrine of God, One Being Three Persons (T & T Clark, 2002).
Recommended text: Veli-Matti Karkkainen, The Trinity: Global Perspective (Westminster John Knox Press, 2007).
We covered the major topics relating to the Doctrine of the Trinity, with also a special look at Trinitarian/Oneness issues within Pentecostalism:
- Biblical Foundations for the Doctrine of the Trinity
- Historical development of the Doctrine of the Trinity
- The Trinity in Contemporary Theology
- Trinitarian and Oneness Pentecostalism
We also talked about the trinitarian relevance of:
- Church and Community
- Church and Worship
- Church, State, and Society
- The Mission of God
- Providence & Election
- Theology of Religions
- Justification
- Spirit Baptism
You’re right William. It was an incredible class and Dr. Macchia seems to be unmatched! He was amazing. What was your favorite part or discussion? I really enjoyed his approach (Barth’s approach) to the Calvin/Arminius debate.
Dr. Macchia was a professor at Southeastern University (then College) when I was there. I enjoyed his take on Church History and Theology- I even had the opportunity to sit down with him a “chew the fat” as he said. He has a great mind, and was respectful toward me even though I am a Southern Baptist. He never argued points, very gracious. Dr. Macchia’s style was difficult for me as far as grades go, but the surfaces the he scratched in class were very valuable.
I remember reading his book about Pietism for one of our classes and saying something about the author abandoning his Pentecostal convictions to please those reviewing his work for his doctorate. I was not totally serious, but- though he put a short defense toward that comment- he did not nail me to the wall for the immature comment.
Thanks for the article. I do wish I could attend another class with Dr. Macchia.
Thanks for the comment pregador27…in regards to Dr. Macchia’s thoroughly pentecostal convictions, I must direct you to his new book titled — Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology.
Thank you. I will look for it. I wish I still had his book on Pietism, I lent it to a friend and never received it back. Dr. Macchia even signed it for me.
I have read several of Dr. Macchia’s articles in Pneuma over the years. Though I graduated from Southeastern College and was once a solid Pentecostal, I have abandoned those roots in favor of the Reformed tradition, which I consider to more grounded in Scripture than in personal experience.
Your comments about the required reading for the class raises one of the issues that caused me to move on from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. There seems to be a growing “tolerance” of the heresy known as “oneness” Pentecostalism, or anti-trinitarianism.
I have read Gregory Boyd’s book on the issue and I noted that Boyd is a former oneness Pentecostal. While Boyd’s hyper-Arminianism has led to his development of yet another heresy, Open Theism, I have to say that I found his critique of the oneness theology enlightening and for the most part accurate. I especially noted that the anti-trinitarians have a completely inadequate understanding of the incarnation of Christ. I think it is practically impossible to explain the dual nature of Christ as both divine and human without a thoroughly trinitarian theology of the Godhead.
Though I never had the pleasure of studying under Dr. Macchia, I can see that it might have been a wonderful experience, if you will pardon the pun:)
May the peace of God be with you!
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for commenting! I’m interested in your shift from the Pentecostal tradition to the Reformed tradition (I’ll send you and email so we can discuss this further).
Concerning the required reading, I don’t see how this could raise any questions, unless you assume that the mere fact of having Bernard’s book as required reading is being “tolerant” of the Oneness position. I assure you, that Dr. Macchia and this class upheld the orthodox trinitarian position through and through (as you can see from the reading Grenz, Letham, Boyd, and others like T.F. Torrance).
Furthermore, as a Pentecostal educational institution, nobody would expect otherwise than to see the Oneness position addressed (which requires one to interact with Bernard’s book).
So, without trying to sound too defensive, Dr. Macchia, and AGTS is solid when it come to the doctrine of the Trinity! I look forward to our future conversations.
In Christ,
William
Well, in case you were not aware of it, the Society for Pentecostal Studies does not require adherence to the doctrine of the trinity for membership. In fact, I believe a oneness scholar was a past president of the Society. Also, several A/G scholars are calling for “tolerance” of the oneness position.
The charismatic/pentecostal movement in general is more concerned with miracles and gifts than with doctrinal purity or heresy. Sorry, but I don’t buy it.
Well, I’m really not writing about SPS. All I’m saying is that, as far as that class was concerned, AGTS, and Dr. Macchia, they are thoroughly trinitarian.
As for those “several A/G scholars” who are calling for tolerance of the Oneness position, I really don’t know what you mean by “tolerance.” Do you mean they are abandoning trinitarianism to accommodate unity with oneness Pentecostals? I just don’t see it.
Historically, the Oneness issue split the A/G in 1916, which was, what, like 92 years ago! Do you propose that we simply shun, and condemn Oneness Pentecostals at heretical, non-Christian, and unsaved, and leave it at that? Isn’t it at least appropriate that Pentecostals from both sides re-engage each other, listen to our current theological positions, rather than make judgments on past polemics and misunderstandings? Isn’t it time to re-explore our similarities and differences. In our context of the rise of educated scholars (on both sides), it just makes sense that such a dialog takes place.
I’m sorry to see that you fallaciously lay a general weakness of the P/C movement upon the backs of Pentecostal scholars and theologians, and judge them for it.
In the Spirit of Peace,
William