Review: The Son Who Learned Obedience

The Son Who Learned Obedience: A Theological Case Against the Eternal Submission of the Son by D. Glenn Butner, Jr., Pickwick Publications, 2018, 223 pages.

While the Trinity Debate of 2016 may have cooled down, the question still remains, "Is the Son eternally submissive to the Father?" The short answer is, "No." But if one word will not suffice, read this book.

The Son Who Learned Obedience makes a strong case against the eternal functional subordination of the Son (EFS) by addressing:

- Why the Trinity falls under the category of systematic theology rather than simple proof-texting.
- Pro-Nicene teaching on the Trinity vs. the pro-EFS position.
- Inseparable operations.
- Does Jesus have one will or two?
- How does EFS impact and undermine the doctrine of substitutionary atonement?
- What effect does EFS on the doctrine of God?
- Is 1 Cor. 15:28 an air-tight case for EFS?

As a lay person who followed the Trinity debate closely, I was already on Dr. Butner's side, but I was still eager to read The Son Who Learned Obedience. It gave me a clearer understanding of the Trinity and a greater appreciation for the dead theologians who laid the groundwork. Chapter 3 on the impact of EFS on the atonement is worth the price of the book because if we get God wrong, there is a good chance that other doctrines will suffer too. (Quote from chapter 3 here.) If I recall correctly, this particular aspect was not broached during the debate. I also appreciate the author's charitable engagement with the arguments of the EFS camp.

This wasn't a quick and easy read, but given the subject, growing in the knowledge of God is worth the time and mental effort. I highly recommend The Son Who Learned Obedience.