An Introduction to Trinitarian Theology
What is Trinitarian theology?
T.F Torrance in his book The Mediation of Christ laments an approach to the knowledge of God, substantially developed by Thomas Aquinas, but generally characteristic of Western theology, that begins with the philosophical idea of the one essence of God, “and only subsequently offers an account of the three Persons in God, without any intrinsic relation between them”. (p.99-100). The result is a theological method based heavily in philosophical notions of what God is. Torrance and others argue that our method should rather be based in questions of who is God, beginning with the self-revelation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
For a new generation of theologians trinitarian grammar is considered the best grammar by which to proclaim the Christian faith.
“Trinitarian theology is a way of doing systematic theology that understands the Trinity to be the foundational doctrine that permeates all areas of theology as opposed to one point of doctrine in systematics. Although trinitarian theology as such has been present throughout the history of the church, being represented by such as the Cappadocian Fathers, it has had a renaissance starting in the 20th century.”
Trinitarian theology might at first seem a little like squabbling of definitions. But trinitarian theology goes beyond definitions by leading to a reevaluation of our practices. The insights of Trinitarian theology are now making their way into conversation about eccclesiology, preaching, gender roles and mission – who the church is within and without.
Trinitarian reflections in life
“If we are made in the image of God, we are made in the image of the Trinity; and the life of the Trinity must in some sort be reflected in the pattern of our human life.” John F. X. Harriott
In recent times, attention has been drawn to an understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity within the Anglican Diocese of Sydney that agues for an eternal subordination of function within the Trinity and then argues from this basis for the exclusion of women from governmental leadership in the church of God.
A Trinitarian Theology of Proclamation
Michael Pasquarello III argues that “Christian preaching, in contrast to “effective communication,” is a personally involved, participatory, and embodied form of graced activity that is the Triune God’s gift to the church”. (p.10, 2006).
Further Reading: http://www.theopedia.com/Development_of_Trinitarian_theology References: Torrance, T.F. (1992). The Mediation of Christ (Rev. Ed.) Helmers & Howard, Colorado Springs, CO. Trinitarian theology. (2007, October 20). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:33, November 6, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trinitarian_theology&oldid=165793509
