T9213A Theology of the Trinity

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This course unit examines systematically the Church’s teaching on the mystery of the Holy Trinity. It aims to demonstrate soteriological and existential consequences of this doctrine for the way Christians live their lives. It is an advanced unit and may form part of a Major in the sub-discipline of Systematic Theology within the Discipline of Theology.

Background
In today's society, the word, ‘dogma’ is seen in a very pejorative way. Indeed, dogmas in general—and also more specifically, the doctrine of the mystery of the Holy Trinity—are usually considered by most to be fixed, unbending teachings created by human persons in authority throughout history making bold demands on the faithful. More particularly, this is precisely how theological truths pertaining to the Trinitarian God and God’s self-revelation to the world are seen. Living in an age which ‘demythologises’ all institutions and structures, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity has often been reduced to a speculative and abstract piece of teaching with hardly any relevance to Christian living. This course unit aims at examining the attitude of the early Church towards the doctrinal truth of the mystery of the Holy Trinity, its Biblical and Patristics formulations, together with modern articulations, in order to uncover its existential and salvific ramifications. In so doing, the unit will consider the extent to which this pre-eminent teaching of the Church—indeed, the dogma of all dogmas—is indeed “right, rejoicing the heart… and lightning the eyes… more to be desired a day than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Ps 19:7-10).

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify the major theological themes in the doctrine of the Trinity;
2. Outline the development of the teaching from Biblical sources through Patristic understandings and into modern times;
3. Critically review writings of current theological thinkers on this topic;
4. Articulate some Trinitarian doctrines for a contemporary reader;
5. Apply insights from their study to Christian life within their particular context.

During this course unit, students may acquire the following threshold concept. This concept is fundamental to a proper understanding of the unit or course. It is essential for further progress in the discipline.

Within the context of Orthodox theology, those doctrinal truths relating to the mystery of the Trinitarian Godhead are not some speculative abstractions about God; on the contrary, they are ‘pointers to life and everyday living’ with existential and salvific significance.

Weekly Topics

1. Introduction and Requirements to the Course Unit
2. Towards a definition of Orthodox dogmatic theology—character, methodology, object, content and sources. Doctrinal outline.
3. The Doctrine of God
4. Trinitarian Theology: Scope of 20th cent. Orthodox Trinitarian Studies Today (Part 1)
5. Trinitarian Theology: Scope of 20th cent. Orthodox Trinitarian Studies Today (Part 2)
6. Origins, Complexities, Conflicts and Historical Development of the Trinitarian Doctrine
7. Emergence of the Trinitarian Doctrine: From Complexity to Biblical Clarification—A Christ-centred Approach Made Possible by the Spirit and Known within the Context of Worship
8. The Trinitarian God—Systematic Considerations; One essence, three hypostases; Commonality, Diversity, Unity; The Father, the principle, source of the Son and Holy Spirit
9. The Teaching on the Son; The Son as a Distinct Hypostasis; not a creature (ποίημα) or offspring begotten in time (γέννημα); The eternity and co-equality of the Son with the Father; ‘true God from true God’; The consubstantiality of the Son not dissimilar to the ‘unbegotten’ Father
10. The Teaching on the Holy Spirit; ‘Equal in honour’ and consubstantial with the Father and the Son; A distinct hypostasis; Not an intermediary phenomenon between God and creation; The divinity of the Holy Spirit as demonstrated through his names, titles and actions; The filioque
11. Anthropological and ecclesiological implications of the Trinitarian doctrine. The Trinitarian foundations of reality
12. Revision and Concluding Remarks