scholarly journals When and How in the History of Theology Did the Triune God Replace the Father as the Only True God?

Author(s):  
Dale Tuggy

A traditional view is that Christians have always believed that the one God is three Persons in one essence or being. Orthodox analytic theologian Beau Branson has recently argued that this is untrue, as earlier “fathers” taught that the one God just is the Father. He argues that this sensible Eastern view was misunderstood by Western sources, which is how the idea of the one God as tripersonal entered into mainstream Christian theologies. While I agree with Branson that in about the first three Christian centuries the teaching was that the one God just is the Father, I argue that his account about when and how the idea of a triune God comes in is mistaken, because we can see this new idea of a tripersonal God appearing in both Eastern and Western sources around the time of the council at Constantinople in 381, the surviving statement of which is the earliest “official” creed which assumes and implies that the one God is the Trinity, the tripersonal God.

Author(s):  
Lois Malcolm

Although often neglected in historical and theological studies of Martin Luther’s work, an understanding of the Holy Spirit undergirds his signal contributions to the history of theology and is essential to any case for his ongoing relevance to contemporary theology and practice. Drawing on biblical exegesis, Luther would reinvigorate the doctrine of the Holy Spirit he inherited from the Western theological tradition and from the Ancient Church. Nonetheless, he wrote in a variety of literary genres and in response to a range of issues. To address this linguistic and historical complexity, this article examines the role the concept of the Holy Spirit plays in his theology by providing readings of texts that have been influential on later appropriations of his work. In doing so, it focuses on two intertwined themes in his theology. First, it examines his understanding of the Holy Spirit in relation to justification—that is, the righteousness of God we receive as a gift by faith—looking at his early biblical theology and two especially influential texts, “The Freedom of a Christian” (1520) and his “Lectures on Galatians” (1535). Second, it discusses his portrayal of the Holy Spirit as sanctifier—that is, as the one who creates holiness or sanctification in us—in his most well-known catechisms, in the “Confession of 1528,” and in his “Lectures on Genesis” (1535) and “Sermons on John” (1537). Throughout, attention will also be given to his understanding of the Trinity, Word and sacraments, faith, hope, and love, and the themes of promise and gift. The article concludes with a sketch of historical work and a discussion of the influence of Luther’s pneumatology on later theology and current areas of research.


1976 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-310
Author(s):  
Christopher Kaiser

It used to be thought, in western Christendom, at least, that belief in a triune God was a unique feature of Christian theology. The doctrine of the Trinity was thought to distinguish Christianity from the strict ‘monotheism’ of Judaism and Islam (which deny a plurality of ‘persons’ in the Godhead), on the one hand, and from the ‘polytheism’ or ‘pantheism’ of Greek and Indian religions, on the other. Needless to say, this traditional view reflected an unfair bias toward Christianity and a distorted view of the other religions, especially the ‘pagan’ ones of Greece and India. Since the eighteenth century, however, considerable historical and cultural research has been done on non-Christian religions, and, in our own time, the impact of its results is finally beginning to be felt in the church as a whole. Far from being unique, the doctrine of the Trinity now seems to have been influenced by Stoic and neo-Platonic speculation about God and the world and even to have parallels in the ‘theologies’ of Hinduism and Buddhism. All of a sudden, ‘trinities’ are appearing everywhere in the history of religions as if they were the fulfilment of a universal ‘archetype’ or realisations of a ‘perfect number’, reflecting the subconscious of man more than the objective reality of God. It seems that we must either launch out into a sea of pan-trinitarianism, or else retreat to the safer shores of strict ‘monotheism’ (but, then, the idea of strict ‘oneness’ is probably an archetype of some sort, as well!).


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-177
Author(s):  
Dale Tuggy

Hasker’s “social” Trinity theory is subject to considerable philosophical problems (Section II). More importantly, the theory clashes with the clear New Testament teaching that the one God just is the Father alone (Section III). Further, in light of five undeniable facts about the New Testament texts, we can know that the authors of the New Testament thought that the only God was just the Father himself, not the Trinity (Section IV). Hasker can neither deny these facts nor defeat the strong evidence they provide that in affirming a triune God in the late 4th century, catholic tradition departed from apostolic teaching about the one God (Section V).


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Mosaab Elkhair Edris

This study would serve as sequel to the views of the Imami theologian Hisham bin al-hakam on Jalil al-Kalam and Daqiq al-Kalam by explaining the theological views of Zurarah bin Aʻyun, Abu Jaʻfar al-Ahwal, al-Fadl ibn Shazan and Banu Nubakht; it will focus on their known writings, explicating their available theological views as far as possible, on the basis of Sunni and Shi’ite sources in the context of the history of theology. The objective behind that is to explain the theological trends that emerged in the history of the Twelver Imamite community, their connections; this would, first of all, provide knowledge of the intellectual foundations of the Twelver theology, which reached its pinnacle at the hands of the theologians of the fifth century AH beginning with Shaykh al-Mufid bin Muhammad bin al-Nuʻman al-ʻAkbari al-Baghdadi. Secondly, this study would provide an understanding of the relational basis between the Twelver and the Mutazilite theological thought. I think that it is the result of a mutual cross-fertilization on the one hand, while on the other since they both derive from the same sources, they lead to similar results. It is not a case of Shi’ite subservience to a predominant Mutazilite influence because the Twelver Shi’ite theologian was conscious of his requirements in support of his doctrine, which revolves around the issue of the Imamah in Jalil al-Kalam and Daqiq al-Kalam alike. In addition, this study will also identify the real origins of the idea of limiting the imamate to twelve imams, ending with the consideration of the early Imamite scholars through which they established their arguments against their opponents in their writings and debates. This is all the more important since the titles of the Shi’ite Imami writings and from what is quoted in their debates on the issue of Imamate, do not point to the imamate of only twelve imams, as the history of the Imami Thought depicts and which starts with the period of the Minor Occultation, which lasted about 70 years from 260 to 329 AH. KeywordsImami Shiʻites, Jalil al-Kalam, Daqiq al-Kalam, Major Occultation


Author(s):  
Vicente Vide-Rodríguez

En este artículo se pretende mostrar la coherencia de los enunciados sobre el Dios uno y trino en la teología analítica, a partir de su formulación en el llamado credo atanasiano. Se ofrece un panorama crítico sobre la discusión acerca de la inteligibilidad del misterio de la Trinidad en la teología filosófica analítica reciente, así como las diversas soluciones en algunos de sus más destacados representantes: la del trinitarianismo social (William Hasker), la del trinitarianismo latino (Brian Leftow) y la identidad relativa aplicada a la teoría trinitaria (Peter van Inwagen). Para superar las dificultades que tienen estas posiciones, derivadas, sobre todo, de su problemática noción de persona, se presenta una contribución a esta discusión con un novedoso análisis de la Trinidad, basado en la noción de función de Gottlob Frege. Con este análisis se explica por qué no hay contradicción entre los enunciados trinitarios, y así se justifica la consistencia y, en consecuencia, la coherencia de la doctrina trinitaria. Abstract: This article aims to show the coherence of the statements about the one and triune God in analytic theology, starting from their formulation in the so-called Athanasian Creed. It offers a critical overview of the discussion about the intelligibility of the mystery of the Trinity in recent analytic philosophical theology, as well as the various solutions in some of its most prominent representatives: the social trinitarianism (William Hasker), the Latin trinitarianism (Brian Leftow) and the relative identity applied to trinitarian theory (Peter van Inwagen). In order to overcome the difficulties with these positions, derived, above all, from their problematic notion of personhood, a contribution to this discussion is presented with a novel analysis of the Trinity, based on Gottlob Frege's notion of function. This analysis explains why there is no contradiction between trinitarian statements, and thus justifies the consistency and, consequently, the coherence of trinitarian doctrine.  


2013 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-98
Author(s):  
Volker Henning Drecoll

This is an impressive work. It is not a book just about Augustine's work ‘On the Trinity’, but on Augustine's trinitarian thought as a whole. It is a mature work, not written within a couple of months, but with years of thinking and rethinking. All this time has helped make the book what it is. I am pleased that it is a historical work, mainly for two reasons: (a) it sketches the development of Augustine's thought (this old model of German historical approach is always helpful), and (b) it places Augustine's trinitarian thought in a specific place in the history of theology. Of course, there are warnings in the Introduction that the book has neither the aim to offer a complete ‘history of Augustine's Trinitarian thought’ nor does it set out to be a monograph about the whole ofDe trinitate. In fact, the monograph starts with the early Augustine, sketching the ‘origins’ of his trinitarian thought, and the chapters aboutDe trinitateintend to set out the fundamental lines of Augustine's thought inDe trinitate. So I think we are allowed to read this book as a new approach to an old problem: how did Augustine's trinitarian thought develop into the mature form found inDe trinitate? If we follow Ayres’ approach, three problems appear. I ask: (a) what about philosophy, (b) what about Manichaeism and (c) what kind of theology is regarded as the background to Augustine's trinitarian thought?


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yanjumseby Yeverson Manafe ◽  
Yenny Anita Pattinama

Doktrin Trinitas atau doktrin Allah Tritunggal adalah pengajaran tentang Allah yang menyatakan diri-Nya dalam tiga pribadi, yaitu Allah Bapa, Allah Anak (Yesus Kristus), dan Allah Roh Kudus yang ketiganya adalah esa. Di satu sisi, doktrin tersebut merupakan doktrin yang sangat penting dan unik dalam kekristenan. Dikatakan penting karena doktrin ini berbicara tentang Allah Tritunggal yang menjadi pusat pujian, penyembahan dan pelayanan orang percaya. Dikatakan unik karena doktrin tersebut tidak terdapat dalam agama manapun di dunia ini. Namun, di sisi lain, doktrin tersebut merupakan doktrin yang sulit dipahami dan diterima oleh akal manusia bahkan menjadi bahan perdebatan yang hebat di berbagai tempat, masa dan kalangan manusia. Dengan studi eksegetis Yohanes 17: 22 sebagai dasar evaluasi kritis terhadap doktrin subordinasi Tritunggal dalam theologia Saksi Yehuwa, maka dapat diketahui bahwa doktrin subordinasi Tritunggal dalam theologia Saksi Yehuwa adalah doktrin yang menyimpang dari kebenaran Alkitab.   The doctrine of the Trinity or the doctrine of the Triune God is the teaching of God revealing Himself in three persons, namely God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit of which all three are one. On the one hand, the doctrine is a doctrine that is very important and unique in Christianity. It is said to be important because this doctrine speaks of the triune God who is the center of the worship, worship and service of believers. Said to be unique because the doctrine does not exist in any religion in this world. However, on the other hand, the doctrine is a doctrine that is difficult to understand and accepted by human reason and even becomes a matter of great debate in various places, times and circles of humans. With the exegetical study of John 17: 22 as the basis for a critical evaluation of the doctrine of the subordination of the Trinity in the theology of Jehovah's Witnesses, it can be seen that the doctrine of the subordination of the Trinity in the theology of Jehovah's Witnesses is a doctrine that deviates from Bible truth.


1952 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Pelikan

One of the most important results of the New Testament study that has gone on during the past generation is its realization that the theology of the New Testament is unintelligible outside the context of its eschatological message. The precise meaning of that message is still the subject of much investigation and controversy, but its importance has become a matter of general agreement among New Testament students. Much less general is the realization of the implications of this insight for other areas of theological concern. Rudolf Bultmann's recent essay on mythology and the New Testament has served to raise again the question of the relevance of New Testament eschatology for systematic theology. That question has far-reaching implications for the study of the history of theology as well, implications with which historical theology has not yet come to terms. The relation between primitive Christian eschatology and the development of ancient Christian theology is a problem deserving of more study than the standard interpretations of the history of dogma have given it, for it can help iiluminate the origins of such dogmas as the Trinity and ancient Christology. Among the historians of dogma, only Martin Werner has taken up the problem in great detail, and his discussion of it has not yet issued in any new historico-theological synthesis.


2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-195
Author(s):  
Iain Taylor

This article is a critical assessment of Pannenberg's trinitarian approach in his Systematic Theology. In particular it raises the questions of how far Pannenberg's emphasis on the Trinity affects the practice of theology and of how the theologian should understand his or her task in the light of the being and work of the triune God. It argues that there is an uneasy tension between Pannenberg's commitment to thoroughgoing trinitarianism on the one hand and his commitment to a rational theology that takes account of the modern age. This tension can be seen most clearly in Pannenberg's treatment of christology, faith and theological method. It is at these points, where modern thinking has often been so critical with traditional theology, that Pannenberg's trinitarian commitments are not deployed as consistently or penetratingly as elsewhere.


Horizons ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G. Lawler

AbstractThe history of theology demonstrates that theological exploration, seeking to understand fully an already given theological concept, regularly brings forth unexpected insights. This article seeks to do just that. Reflecting on an ancient theological word, perichoresis, coined in its original Greek to express the intimate communion of, first, the two natures in the one person of Jesus and, second, the three persons in one God, the article seeks new theological insight into the communion that is essential in, first, Christian marriage and then, church. The analysis underscores communion-through-perichoresis as essential to the definitions of God, marriage, and church, and relates the three one to the other.


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