Faith of Our Fathers – Episode Summary

The Trinity by John Stott

Date: February 16, 2026
Speaker: John Stott
Podcast Host: WDAC Radio Company

Overview

This episode features renowned 20th-century preacher and theologian John Stott offering a clear, foundational teaching on the doctrine of the Trinity. Stott addresses common misunderstandings and explains why the concept, though complex and sometimes mystifying, is central to Christian faith. He unpacks the historical emergence, theological nuance, and practical significance of the Trinity, blending personal anecdote, historical reflection, and scriptural insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Barriers and Misunderstandings

• Many, including Stott himself as a youth, find the Trinity “difficult to understand,” even calling it an “outmoded superstition.”
• Stott humorously references Alice Through the Looking Glass and Thomas Jefferson’s skepticism, illustrating how intelligent people have struggled with the doctrine.
  • Quote:
    "Nobody believes in the Trinity nowadays." – John Stott (recalling his 15-year-old self, 01:58)
  • Quote:
    “When we shall have done away with the incomprehensible jargon of trinitarian arithmetic, that three are one and one is three…we shall then be truly his disciples. But Jefferson was wrong. The Christian faith is essentially a trinitarian faith…” – John Stott (04:07)

2. Biblical Foundations

• While conceding the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, Stott highlights its pervasive presence in the New Testament:

  • Jesus’ Baptism: The Father’s voice, the Spirit descending, the Son being baptized (06:01).
  • The Great Commission: Baptizing “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (07:03).
  • 1 Peter’s Salutation: Mentions all three persons explicitly (07:40).
  • Paul’s Benediction: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit…” (2 Corinthians, 07:57).

• Quote:
  “The Christian faith is a trinitarian faith. You cannot escape it.” – John Stott (08:26)

3. Approaches to the Trinity

Stott organizes the doctrine’s justification around three complementary approaches:

• a. History (09:17):

  • The doctrine “arose from the facts of history”—from real experiences of the first Christians, all of whom were fiercely monotheistic Jews challenged by the reality of Jesus and the promised Spirit.
  • The historical encounter with Jesus (divine yet distinct from the Father) and the coming of the Holy Spirit compelled belief in the Trinity.

• b. Theology (12:11):

  • Early church heresies resulted from attempts to resolve the “problem” by overemphasizing either unity or distinction:
    • Sabellianism: Taught God was one Person manifesting in different forms—rejected for denying real distinction (13:44).
    • Arianism: Taught Jesus was not fully divine—condemned for denying Christ’s divinity (15:49).
  • Leonard Hodgson’s insight: The problem lay in assuming unity could only be mathematical rather than “organic.”
    • The Trinity is not a simple, indivisible unity, but a “highly complex organic unity.”
  • Quote:
    “God’s unity is not a simple mathematical unity. It is a highly complex organic unity…” – John Stott (19:53)

• c. Experience (21:00):

  • Everyday Christian life is Trinitarian—exemplified in worship and prayer.
  • Prayer:
    • “We have access to the Father, through the Son, by the one Spirit.” (ref. Ephesians 2:18, 21:21)
    • The Lord’s Prayer, intentionally or not, is Trinitarian:
      • Daily bread (the Father)
      • Forgiveness (the Son)
      • Deliverance (the Holy Spirit)
  • Quote:
    “Every Christian who prays is a Trinitarian Christian. You can’t pray without being a Trinitarian Christian.” – John Stott (21:57)

4. Practical and Personal Application

• The Trinity is not unpractical; it addresses human needs:

  • Material: Daily bread (from the Father)
  • Spiritual: Forgiveness (through the Son)
  • Moral: Deliverance from evil (by the Spirit)

• Stott recommends beginning the day with praise to each Person of the Trinity and praying specifically to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (26:30).

• Quote:
  “To be a trinitarian Christian, to live dependence on the Trinity, and to live to the praise and the glory. I’ve often thought that the whole of the Christian life can be summed up in those very simple words: ‘From him, grace; to him, glory.’” – John Stott (27:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On personal experience and growth:
  “I began rather personally with an anecdote from an omniscient 15-year-old. I want to end…with somebody who has long ago given up believing that omniscience is possible to anybody but God.” (26:33)
• On prayer:
  “Prayer at the very foundation…is the experience of the Trinity.” (22:01)
• On the continuing relevance of the Trinity:
  “Let no one say that the Trinity is an unpractical or irrelevant doctrine. On the contrary, our three basic needs are supplied…by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” (25:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Stott’s Anecdote: 00:51 – 06:01
• Biblical Foundations: 06:01 – 08:26
• Historical Approach: 09:17 – 12:11
• Theological Debates: 12:11 – 19:53
• Organic Unity & The Trinity: 19:53 – 21:00
• Experiential Approach: 21:00 – 26:30
• Daily Practice of Trinitarian Faith: 26:30 – 29:15
• Closing Doxology & Prayer: 29:15 – 29:53

Structure and Flow

John Stott’s message is warm, deeply informed, humble, and personal. Using anecdotes, scripture, and church history, he makes a doctrine often seen as abstract feel practical and vital to everyday faith. He gently challenges his listeners to move from intellectual hesitance to experiential joy, inviting them into daily fellowship with Father, Son, and Spirit.

Summary compiled for listeners seeking a deep yet accessible introduction to one of Christianity’s central mysteries, as taught by Rev. John Stott.