Nicaea vs. the Spirit-Fighters: “The Lord and Giver of Life”

Series: Nicaea Today

The Trinity

Nicaea vs. the Spirit-Fighters: “The Lord and Giver of Life”

39 min

Series: Nicaea Today

The Trinity

Nicaea vs. the Spirit-Fighters: “The Lord and Giver of Life”

39 min

The Holy Spirit isn’t a vague force or junior member of the Trinity. Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb explore how the church came to affirm the Spirit’s full divinity and how missteps today can distort worship, the gospel, and Christian life.


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Bob Hiller is the Senior Pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido/San Marcos, California. He is the author of Finding Christ in the Straw and the content editor for The Craft of Preaching (1517).

Justin S. Holcomb, PhD, is an Episcopal minister and professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has authored, coauthored, or edited more than twenty books on numerous topics, including abuse, biblical studies, and theology. Justin and his wife, Lindsey, coauthored the award-winning children’s book God Made All of Me, God Made Me in His Image, and God Made Babies. You can read more from Justin at justinholcomb.com and connect with him on Twitter @JustinHolcomb.

Michael Horton (Ph.D., Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and Coventry University) is the J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California and Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Sola Media.

Walter R. Strickland II (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is teaching pastor at Imago Dei Church. He is Associate Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he cofounded Aptree Learning. He and his wife live in the Raleigh area in North Carolina, and they have two daughters and a son, and a daughter named Hope who is waiting to meet them in glory.

Series • 5 Episodes

Nicaea Today

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antique drawing of nicaea council

The Story Behind the Council of Nicaea

Was the Nicene Creed a political power grab—or a faithful summary of Scripture? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb explore how the creed’s first article counters gnostic myths, affirms the goodness of creation, and shows why Christians still need a rule of faith today.

Nicaea vs. Subordinationism: "Consubstantial with the Father

Nicaea vs. Subordinationism: “Consubstantial with the Father

Was Jesus a divine agent who was created? Arius said and fellow subordinationists say, “yes.” Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb break down why “of one substance with the Father” is essential for the gospel—and how some modern evangelical views seem to be on a slippery slope in critiquing the Nicene view. […]

Nicaea vs. the Pietists: "One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church"

Nicaea vs. the Pietists: “One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church”

What does it mean for Protestants to believe in “one holy catholic church”? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb unpack how the Reformers saw themselves as truly catholic—distinct from Roman claims and from modern liberal and evangelical distortions. CHECK OUT THIS MONTH’S OFFERS: Become a Sola Partner to support the work of White […]

Nicaea and Modern Heresies: Oneness Pentecostalism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness

Nicaea and Modern Heresies: Oneness Pentecostalism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witness

What makes someone a Christian? Michael Horton, Bob Hiller, Walter Strickland, and Justin Holcomb show how the Nicene Creed draws a clear line between true faith and false gospels—then and now. From ancient heresies to modern distortions, the creed remains a vital confession that preserves the heart of Christianity: the triune God who saves.

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