Christian Understandings of the Trinity: The Historical Trajectory

Description

In this creative approach to the doctrine of the Trinity, author Veli-Matti Karkkainen focuses on keeping a dynamic balance between the intellectual-doctrinal and spiritual-charismatic approaches as parallel avenues towards theological understanding. His narrative approach draws on direct quotations from key historical theologians to increase appreciation of their theological wisdom and to encourage students to "dig further into this rich spiritual wellspring." Throughout the two-thousand year span of Christian history, believers in Jesus have sought to articulate their faith and their understanding of how God works in the world. How do we, as we examine the vast and varied output of those who came before us, understand the unity and the diversity of their thinking? How do we make sense of our own thought in light of theirs? The Christian Understandings series is an exciting new series that seeks to illuminate precisely these questions. The short, concise volumes in the Christian Understandings series orient and fill in the gaps for readers as they dive into the exciting and stimulating story of Christian thought. Abbreviations vii Introduction 1 1. The Christian Trinity: Biblical Antecedents 7 2. Trinitarian Canons: Emergence and Consolidation 31 3. The Holy Spirit: Divine and Equal? 95 4. Medieval Contributions and Clarifications 139 5. Reformation and Modern Perspectives 165 6. Contemporary Trinitarianism and Its Prospects 187 Scripture Index 221 Subject Index 225