Brandon Smith - The Trinity in the Book of Revelation

Episode: Revelation is a mysterious book, shrouded in symbol and rich in Old Testament allusions. What does it mean for our present and future? And more importantly, what does it teach us about God and God's unfolding rule? Brandon Smith shows us that, surprisingly, Revelation has much to teach us about the Trinity. And once we discover the Trinity's mission, we are better equipped to read Revelation well and to find our own place in the story. Co-hosted by Matt Bates.

The Book: Brandon D. Smith, The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John's Apocalypse (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2022). How should we read the book of Revelation? Interpreting Scripture faithfully is a challenge with regard to any text and for any reader of the Bible. But perhaps no text confronts and confuses readers as much as the book of Revelation. With its vivid imagery and rich prophetic language, John's Apocalypse provokes and stirs our imaginations. Theologian and biblical scholar Brandon Smith brings clarity to this question by reading the book of Revelation primarily as John's vision of the triune God. In conversation with early church theologians, including Irenaeus, Origen, Athanasius, and the Cappadocians, as well as modern biblical scholarship, Smith shows how John's vision can help us worship the one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Publisher's description, abridged).

Guest: Brandon D. Smith is Assistant Professor of Theology and New Testament at Cedarville University, a Christian University in Ohio. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Theology from Ridley College (Melbourne), M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Criswell College, and a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Baptist University. Smith is the author of several books. He has also written The Biblical Trinity (Lexham) and has a forthcoming book on hermeneutics that I’ve already read and can recommend, Taught by God (B&H Academic). Brandon is also the founder and the co-host of the podcast Church Grammar.

OnScript's Review: Brandon Smith offers a robust description of how Revelation contributed to the early church's Trinitarian theology and how Revelation can be better understood in light of the doctrine of the Trinity. What emerges is a beautiful portrait of the one God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--as the one God works to make all things new. Highly recommended. -- Matthew W. Bates, author of The Birth of the Trinity; professor of theology, Quincy University

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