The Trinity is a central component of Christian theology, and certainly Franciscanism as well, as seen in the mystical theology of St. Bonaventure and other Franciscan theologians. But there’s a problem: The Trinity often feels un-relatable, esoteric, or just downright goofy and strange. Why does the Trinity matter? Is it mere theological jargon for academics and religious? Does Trinitarian theology actually have a practical impact on our lives and walks of faith? This episode’s guest, William Paul Young, is an author who has used story to help make the mystery and beauty of the Trinity accessible to millions around the world.
Paul is the author of the novel The Shack, a New York Times bestseller that has sold 25 million copies worldwide and was turned into a movie in 2017 starring Octavia Spencer, Sam Worthington, and Tim McGraw. He is also the author of Eve, Cross Roads, and Lies We Believe About God. He has a wonderful new podcast called “The Paul Young Podcast,” which features short 10-20 minute spiritual reflections 2-3 times a week. In this episode, Paul discusses our participation within the Trinity in our day-to-day lives, our living into our own inherent union with Christ, and how to distance ourselves from the lie that we are separate from God.
Show Notes
– Consider meditating upon these Scripture passages about union with Christ: John 17, John 14:15-21, John 15:1-17, Galatians 2:20, and Colossians 1:15-20.
– Read about the Orthodox teaching of divinization, or theosis, and its prevalence in the Early Church. As Pope John Paul II wrote in Orientale Lumen (The Light of the East), the theology of divinization and union is one of the great contributions of the Eastern Fathers but has been largely ignored in the West.
– In the West, the incarnation is often explained as a response to humanity being separate from God. As Father John Quigley, OFM, explains, Blessed John Duns Scotus and Franciscans hold a different theological explanation. In this video, Richard Rohr explains the “cosmic optimism” prevalent in Franciscan theology and how this cultivates a connection to the sacred that is in every one and every thing.
– Enjoy watching Wm. Paul Young’s appearance on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday or his three-part lecture on the “Nature of God” (view Part I, Part II, and Part III here).
– Listen to The Paul Young Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Order The Shack, Cross Roads, Eve, or Lies We Believe About God.
– Stream The Shack on Netflix until July 31.
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🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts