Essential Trinitarianism: Schleiermacher As Trinitarian Theologian (t&t Clark Explorations In Reformed Theology)

"Many scholars believe that Friedrich Schleiermacher relegates the doctrine of the Trinity to an appendix at the end of his magnum opus, The Christian Faith (1830/31); his alleged disregard for the Trinity is the supposed death knell for serious consideration of his work within the history of Christian thought. This volume argues that Schleiermacher not only calls for the doctrine's revitalization, but also makes it the centrepiece of Protestant Christianity. Following Schleiermacher's own thought experiment, Poe presents his doctrine of God in reverse order of its original presentation. Her examination centres on the Trinity, treating it as the keystone of the entire work, while analysing the divine attributes: love and wisdom, justice and holiness, eternity, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. When viewed from the standpoint of the conclusion, the Trinitarian shape of Schleiermacher's theology comes to the fore. What emerges is a middle way between merely economic Trinitarianism and a full-fledged development of immanent Trinitarianism, examining divine personhood and the union of the divine with humanity. The central thesis of this work runs boldly counter to the prevailing academic account of Schleiermacher's doctrine of the Trinity, and offers an innovative and constructive reading. Readers will be privy to a fresh look at Schleiermacher's doctrine of God and its importance for contemporary theology."--Back cover Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Part I: Rereading Schleiermacher Chapter 1. Introduction a. Schleiermacher’s Critics b. Complexity in Trinitarian Theologies c. Chapter Overview d. A Final Word Chapter 2. Schleiermacher’s Approach a. An Eternal Covenant between Christian Faith and Academic Inquiry b. Antispeculative Doctrine c. Different Conceptual Structures in the Doctrine of God d. Anticipating Implications for Trinitarianism Part II: Schleiermacher and the Trinity Chapter 3. Rejecting Immanent Trinitarianism a. Schleiermacher’s “Trinitarian Treatise” b. An Antispeculative Objection c. Conceptual Difficulties d. Sabellianism Reconsidered Chapter 4. Constructing Essential Trinitarianism a. Three Distinctions- in- Relation b. Personhood and the Divine Life c. Toward Divine Personhood d. Conclusion Chapter 5. Developing Economic Trinitarianism a. Methodological Divergences b. Jesus of Nazareth c. The Spirit in the Church d. Preparation for the Union of the Divine Essence with Human Nature e. Relating the Doctrines of the Immanent and Economic Trinity Part III: Tensions and Connections Chapter 6. Divine Alterity a. Via Causalitatis b. Apophatic (Verneinung) Attributes c. Coherence of Alterity and Trinity Chapter 7. Consciousness of God a. Distinguishing Christian God-Consciousness from General Religious Consciousness b. Christomorphic Anthropology Chapter 8. Conclusion a. Apophasis and Kataphasis b. Christian Ecumenism c. Eco-Theology Bibliography Index of Authors and Subjects "Many scholars believe that Friedrich Schleiermacher relegates the doctrine of the Trinity to an appendix at the end of his magnum opus, The Christian Faith (1830/31). For many, his alleged disregard for the Trinity is the death knell for taking his work seriously within the history of Christian thought. This volume shows that Schleiermacher not only calls for the doctrine's revitalization but also makes it the centrepiece of Protestant Christianity. Following Schleiermacher's own thought experiment, Poe presents his doctrine of God in reverse order of its original presentation. The examination centres on the Trinity, treating it as the keystone of the entire work, and then examine the divine attributes: love and wisdom, justice and holiness, eternity, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. When viewed from the standpoint of the conclusion, the Trinitarian shape of Schleiermacher's theology comes to the fore. What emerges is a middle way between merely economic Trinitarianism and a full-fledged development of immanent Trinitarianism. The central thesis of this work runs boldly counter to the prevailing dogmatic account of Schleiermacher's doctrine of the Trinity and offers an innovative and constructive reading on the subject."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Pt. 1. Rereading Schleiermacher -- pt. 2. Schleiermacher and the trinity -- pt. 3. Tensions and connections