Three Versus One? Some Problems of Social Trinitarianism

Abstract

Th is paper examines the question whether we should prefer the so-called 'social' doctrine of the Trinity, which fi gures so prominently in contemporary trinitarian refl ection, to its 'Latin' alternative. After a sketch of some evident attractions of social trinitarianism, it is argued that these attractions conceal as many problems-problems which may be rather devastating in the end. First of all, the practical and ethical usefulness of the social doctrine turns out to be highly questionable. Second, contemporary social trinitarianism deviates in crucial aspects from the Cappadocian (and other) Fathers. And third, the claim that social trinitarianism is in fact the best way to appropriate the biblical witness is found wanting. Th e paper concludes with the suggestion that social trinitarians today use the doctrine of the Trinity to answer questions which the Fathers answered by means of Christology.

Reader in Trinitarian Theology

“…For a typical example, see the recent critique of social Trinitarianism by Holmes (2009), who employs standard rhetoric focusing on the alleged misinterpretation of the past by social Trinitarians (see 2009:85f). 21…”

Political implications of the Trinity: Two approaches

“…Social trinitarians are sometimes accused of emphasising the plurality of the three hypostases in a way that undermines the unity of God (Holmes 2009(Holmes :86-87, 2012. However, this is a very simplistic way of evaluating social trinitarianism.…”

“…Moltmann is equally convinced that societies reflect their fundamental theological outlook, including their basic understanding of God, in the ways in which they organise themselves politically (Moltmann 1981:192-200). Other theologians (Holmes 2009(Holmes , 2012Kilby 2014;Tanner 2004Tanner , 2007Tanner , 2010Tanner , 2012Tanner , 2015 have voiced concerns about the claims being made for the alleged political implications of the doctrine of the Trinity, which they regard as pure speculation.…”

The Trinity, the Church, and China's Harmonious Society: A Politics of Persuasion

“…My proposal for a politics of persuasion may be criticised as projectionist, for wildly divergent implications can be drawn from the same doctrine (Holmes 2009;Kilby 2000). My response is that no form of theology can avoid the accusation of projection, for theology is primarily a human construction based on God's revelation.…”