James White and Shawn McCraney

Exploring the Trinity: A Dialogue on Faith and Understanding

In the February 11, 2018 episode of HOTM 2.0, we welcomed Brother James White from Alpha and Omega Ministries as our special guest. The evening began with a structured format, starting with a prayer led by James, followed by his 45-minute presentation. The audience was reminded to maintain decorum during the event, including waiting for breaks to use the restroom and keeping conversations to a minimum.

After James’ presentation, there was a brief break before I shared my own comments, emphasizing the importance of fostering a new way of living the faith that transcends differing opinions. We then took time to get to know James better, exploring his religious background and experiences.

The conversation shifted to the doctrine of the Trinity, where James posed questions to me, allowing for an open dialogue. We discussed various theological perspectives, including the interpretation of scripture regarding the nature of God, the role of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I presented my views, which emphasize the oneness of God and the distinction between God the Father and Jesus Christ, arguing that the traditional understanding of the Trinity may not align with a straightforward reading of the Bible.

As the evening progressed, we opened the floor to questions from the audience, both in-house and online. This segment allowed for a rich exchange of ideas, touching on topics such as salvation, the nature of hell, and the characteristics of God. I reiterated my respect for differing beliefs while expressing my own convictions.

The show concluded with James offering his final thoughts, and I reminded viewers of our next episode featuring Sam Young, who advocates for changes in how the Mormon Church conducts interviews with children regarding moral purity.

Overall, the evening was a thoughtful exploration of complex theological issues, encouraging respectful dialogue and understanding among differing viewpoints.