Divine Freedom and the Doctrine of the Immanent Trinity

by Paul D. Molnar

In this book Paul Molnar seeks to set out a contemporary doctrine of the immanent Trinity and to address the issue of how we can know God according to his true nature rather than create him in our own image. It is Paul Molnar's contention that any theology that starts with self-transcendence and not explicitly with God's self-revelation through his Word will result in a flawed perception of both divine and human freedom. He holds that while God is and remains incomprehensible even in his revelation, he can be known as a very definite object in faith and by grace. A sound doctrine of the immanent Trinity recognizes the freedom of God as the basis of our own human freedom and upholds God's distinction from his creation, thus avoiding the theological pitfalls of agnosticism, monism and dualism.'Molnar sets out to place the doctrine of the immanent Trinity firmly back on the agenda of the Christian doctrine of God, and does so to considerable effect. In conversation not only with Barth but with many contemporary proposals in trinitarian theology, he makes a persuasive case for the centrality of the doctrine and against the perils that attend its neglect. This is an essay in Christian dogmatics of a high order, learned, intellectually powerful and spiritually engaged; it deserves to be widely read and discussed. ' John Webster, Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity, University of Oxford>

Genres: Theology

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Cameron Coombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comment on the second edition, which includes a new chapter (though previously published elsewhere) and additions to other chapters: Molnar is no doubt a hard-working and accomplished scholar, as the book's length alone demonstrates. He knows his Barth and Torrance. I am less enthusiastic about his less-than-generous assessments of other theologians though. It would be good to see Molnar endeavouring to hear them on their own terms and consider what positive contributions they might make to the conversation, rather than dismiss them completely for not sharing his (disputed) views on the Trinity.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molnar offers a penetrating analysis and critique of the modern trinitarian landscape with Karl Barth and T. F. Torrance's Trinitarianism serving as the standard. Essential reading for students of modern trinitarianisms.