The Depth of the Riches: A Trinitarian Theology of Religious Ends (Sacra Doctrina: Christian Theology for a Postmodern Age

by S. Mark Heim

A constructive new proposal for Christian dialogue with other faiths. Religious pluralism is today the most challenging issue facing traditional Christianity. This constructive work by a leading voice on the subjects of religious pluralism and interfaith relations probes the Christian understanding of God and salvation and offers a new perspective on religious pluralism that affirms unique salvation in Christ while also recognizing the religious ends of other faiths. The questions explored here are both difficult and enlightening. What is the distinctive nature of salvation? Is there a place in Christian theology for recognizing other religious ends in addition to salvation? In pursuit of meaningful answers, S. Mark Heim uses the classical doctrine of the Trinity to develop a theology that allows Christians to respect the possibility that alternative relations with God exist in other religions.

Genres: Theology

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

S. Mark Heim is the Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology at Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School. He is a graduate of Amherst College, Andover Newton Theological School and the Boston College—Andover Newton Theological School joint doctoral program in systematic theology. His teaching and research interests include comparative theology, theologies of religious pluralism, science and theology, Christology and atonement and ecumenical ecclesiology.

Reviews

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of full of rich thought. It is about the Trinity in a strange and stimulating way as Heim uses the Trinity as a model for inter-religious dialogue. The basic thrust is that each major religion has a different end. These ends are not compatible in the sense we can create a spiritual or theological melting pot; but they can co-exist in a way that all of them enrich others. Hence the paradox of the one and the many among religious. Being a Christian leads to a different end (fellowship in heaven with God and other people) than the end of Buddhism, which is Nirvana. Dante is used extensively as he embodies this approach with the resources available in his time. Maybe in the end this will not prove to be the best model, but it deserves thought and consideration.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most interesting books of theology I have read recently. He has outstanding discussions of Christian "salvation," the Trinity, and Dante's vision of human ends. But he fails to make a persuasive case for his speculative proposal. A more serious engagement with Scripture would help. Nevertheless, well worth reading, rereading and lots of thought.