In Our Time ·Oct 8, 2026 ·45 min

Archive: Trinity

Evaluation and Summary

8.1/10

This In Our Time archive episode, originally broadcast in March 2014, examines the Christian doctrine of the Trinity—the concept that God exists as a single entity in three distinct forms: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Host Misha Glenny leads a discussion with three expert guests: Janet Soskice (Professor of Philosophical Theology at Cambridge), Martin Palmer (Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education, and Culture), and Reverend Graham Ward (Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford). The episode traces the Trinity's development from early Christian belief through its formalization at the Council of Nicaea in the late 4th century, which resolved early controversies surrounding the doctrine. The discussion explores how later medieval and early modern theologians—particularly St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas—grappled with profound theological questions the Trinity raises: whether the three persons always act in concert, whether they possess equal status, and how to reconcile monotheism with tripartite divinity. The episode acknowledges that different Christian traditions interpret the Trinity in varying ways and examines its considerable influence on Christian thought and practice. The reading list provided is substantial and academically rigorous, including primary sources (Julian of Norwich, George Herbert, Teilhard de Chardin) and scholarly handbooks on early Christian theology, trinitarian doctrine, and related philosophical questions. The breadth of sources suggests the episode likely covers historical development, theological nuance, and contemporary interpretations across Christian denominations.

Verdict: A well-researched, substantive exploration of a complex theological doctrine with expert guests and serious academic grounding, though the archive format and limited source material prevent full assessment of storytelling and pacing.

History rubric

Research depth 4/5 31%

The reading list is extensive and academically serious, spanning primary theological texts, Oxford handbooks, and specialized monographs on Nicaea and trinitarian theology, suggesting well-researched content.
Storytelling n/a

No information in source material about narrative structure, pacing, or how the discussion unfolds.
Context and nuance 4/5 23%

Description explicitly addresses historical development (early controversy to Nicaea), theological complexity (Augustine and Aquinas's questions), and denominational variation, indicating nuanced treatment.
Substance 4/5 23%

The episode covers historical formation, theological debate, philosophical questions, and contemporary interpretation across traditions; the reading list depth suggests substantive content.
Delivers on its title 5/5 23%

The episode directly addresses the Trinity doctrine, its history, theological significance, and interpretations—fully delivering on the promised topic.
Value for time n/a

No information about pacing, structure, or whether the 45-minute length is well-used.

How we score History

Worth it if you're interested in Christian theology, the history of religious doctrine, or how medieval and early modern thinkers wrestled with philosophical paradoxes.

#theology #christian history #philosophy #religious doctrine #nicaea

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

Misha Glenny delves in to the In Our Time archive to select ten episodes for listeners to revisit. His final choice is the Trinity, an episode first released in March 2014. The idea that God is a single entity, but one known in three distinct forms - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - has been a central belief for most Christians since the earliest years of the religion. The doctrine was often controversial in the early years of the Church, until clarified by the Council of Nicaea in the late 4th century. Later thinkers including St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas recognised that this religious mystery posed profound theological questions, such as whether the three persons of the Trinity always acted together, and whether they were of equal status. The Trinity's influence on Christian thought and practice is considerable, although it is interpreted in different ways by different Christian traditions. With: Janet Soskice Professor of Philosophical Theology at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Jesus College Martin Palmer Director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education, and Culture The Reverend Graham Ward Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and a Canon of Christ Church. Producer: Thomas Morris Reading list: Susan Ashbrook Harvey and David G. Hunter (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Studies (Oxford University Press, 2010), especially chapter ‘The Doctrine of God’ Lewis Ayres and Andrew Radde-Gallwitz Lewis Ayres, Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology (Oxford University Press, 2006) John Behre, The Way to Nicaea: Formation of Christian Theology Vol 1 (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001) Gilles Emery and Matthew Levering (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2011) Susan Frank Parsons (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology (Cambridge University Press, 2002), especially chapter ‘Trinity and Feminism’ by Janet Soskice George Herbert, The Complete English Poems (Penguin Classics, 2004) Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love (Penguin Classics, 1998) Ben Quash and Michael Ward (eds.), Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe (SPCK, 2007), especially essay on ‘Biblical Trinitarianism’ by Janet Soskice Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hymn of the Universe (HarperPerennial, 1976) Miroslav Volf, After Our Likeness: The Church as the Image of the Trinity (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1998) Graham Ward, Christ and Culture (Wiley-Blackwell, 2005) In Our Time is a BBC Studios production Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.

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