Lecture on Trinitarian Thought

Overview

• Format: Two presentations.
  • First: Advocates for a revolution in Trinitarian thought, emphasizing relational or social approach.
  • Second: Critiques the first presentation's enthusiasm and conclusions.
• Context: Doctrine of the Trinity considered irrelevant by many, historically sidelined by abstract theological speculation.

Historical Context

• Doctrine's Development:
  • Pulled away from immediate concerns and central historical events of faith.
  • Focused on eternal relations rather than current relevance.
• Ecumenical Council of Nicaea: Shifted focus to internal divine relationships.

Critique of Traditional Theology

• Augustine's Psychological Approach:
  • Viewed God's image through human mind patterns.
  • Shifted focus away from salvation history to internal relations.
• Gnosticism Concerns: Neglects salvation experience in favor of speculation on God's inner life.

Modern Trinitarian Thought

• Jürgen Moltmann's Approach:
  • Advocates starting from Biblical narrative and Jesus' ministry.
  • Emphasizes history of salvation over eternal relations.
  • Suggests creation and salvation affect God's Trinitarian life.
• Social or Relational Trinitarianism:
  • Inspired by Cappadocian Fathers' view of Trinity as community.
  • Contrasts Western models focusing on individual person.

Implications for Society and Theology

• Critique of Authoritarian Monotheism:
  • Traditional views justified earthly hierarchies and absolutism.
  • Moltmann argues for Trinitarian theology to challenge these views.
• Social and Relational Impact:
  • Encourages viewing God as a loving father rather than a cosmic overlord.
  • Promotes community and equality modeled after Trinitarian relations.

Criticisms of Social Trinitarianism

• Misinterpretation of 'Persons':
  • Critics argue early theological terms were misinterpreted to imply modern individual consciousness.
• Suspicion of Projectionism:
  • Social Trinitarianism accused of projecting human relationship ideals onto divine relations.

Conclusion and Continuing Debate

• New Testament Insights:
  • Portrays divine persons in I-Thou relationships, supporting social Trinitarianism.
• Ongoing Debate:
  • Continues over interpretations and implications of social Trinitarianism.
• Potential for Transformative Theology:
  • While criticized, social Trinitarianism offers insights for combating individualism and oppressive structures.

The lecture captures both the enthusiasm for and the critique of modern Trinitarian thought, illustrating the ongoing theological debate.