Course

The Trinity: God in Christian Theology

To understand God is a central part of Christian theology. The Christian concepts of God that have emerged throughout history have their foundation in the texts of the Bible as well as early Christian thinking. Additionally, the experiences of Christians through spiritual practices and contact with surrounding cultures and philosophies have influenced the theology. The doctrine of the Trinity, a doctrine that developed together with the discussions about the divinity of the Son and the Spirit, is central for Christian understandings about God in historical as well as contemporary theology. This course gives an in depth historical and systematic theological understanding in Christian thought about God with a particular emphasis on the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Christian thinking about God is also critically engaged by a selection of philosophical, feminist and/or ecological perspectives.

After the course the student is expected to:

  • show extensive knowledge about the philosophical and historical context about the doctrine of the Trinity and its connection with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit
  • show comprehensive understanding about the role of the doctrine of the Trinity in contemporary theology
  • theoretically and with a high degree of independence be able to critically discuss Christian concepts about God, the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Augustine, 1887. On the Trinity. In New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1301.htm. Book 5-7 (55 pp.)

Basil the Great, 2011. On the Holy Spirit. New York: St Vladimirs Seminary Press (128 pp.). Also in New Advent, https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3203.htm.

Chalamet, Christophe & Vial, Marc, 2014. Recent Developments in Trinitarian Theology: An International Symposium. Augsburg Fortress, Publishers. Pp. 1-126, 153-166 (137 pp.). Available as e-book.

Gregory of Nyssa, 1893. On ”Not three gods”. I New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2905.htm.  (11 pp.)

Holmes, Christopher R. J., 2015. The Holy Spirit. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. (214 pp.)

Holmes, Stephen R., 2012. The Holy Trinity: Understanding God’s Life. Milton Keynes: Paternoster. (200 pp.)
or
Butner, D. Glenn, 2022. Trinitarian Dogmatics: Exploring the Grammar of the Christian Doctrine of God. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. (220 pp.)

Gunton, Colin E., 1991. The Promise of Trinitarian Theology. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. (175 pp.)

Johnson, Elizabeth A., 2018. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Twenty-fifth Anniversary edition. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company. (287 pp.)

Rahner, Karl, 2001 [1986]. The Trinity. London: Burns and Oates, Continuum. (120 pp.)

Schleiermacher, Friedrich, 2016. Conclusion: The Divine Trinity. In The Christian Faith. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. S. 738-751 (13 p.) Available as e-book.

One of the following titles is selected by the student:

Bacon, Hannah, 2009. What’s Right with the Trinity?: Conversations in Feminist Theology. Farnham: Ashgate. (200 pp.)
or
Gebara, Ivone, 1999. Longing for Running Water: Ecofeminism and Liberation. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. (240 pp.)
or
Bracken, Joseph A., 2001. The one in the many: a contemporary reconstruction of the God-world relationship. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans. (248 pp.)

Addition of 50-100 pages of articles.

Literature last revised on March 13, 2023.

The schedule is available at the latest one month before the course starts. We do not recommend that you print the schedule as some changes may happen.

Open the Schedule

Joseph Sverker

Teol. dr, Senior lecturer, Head of subject

08-564 357 10

joseph.sverker@ehs.se

Grades

A = Excellent, B = Very good, C = Good, D = Satisfactory, E = Sufficient, Fx = Insufficient, F = Insufficient

Examination Format

  • Papers
  • Seminars

See the second paragraph for times when the course is offered in English.

Kurser i teologi/religionsvetenskap, 120 hp, varav minst 15 hp systematisk teologi på fördjupningsnivå, eller godkända kurser för en kandidatexamen i teologi/religionsvetenskap, 180 hp, där minst 150 hp utgörs av teologi/religionsvetenskap eller motsvarande. Dessutom kunskaper i svenska och engelska motsvarande kraven för grundläggande behörighet.

Courses in theology/religious studies, 120 credits, of which at least 15 credits are systematic theology courses that require at least 60 credits in prerequisites, or approved courses for a bachelor's degree in theology/religious studies, 180 credits, where at least 150 credits consist of theology/religious studies or the equivalent. In addition, competency in Swedish and English corresponding to the requirements for basic eligibility. When the course is offered in English competency in Swedish is not required.

  • Completion of a course requires a minimum of 80% attendance at lectures and 100% attendance at seminars/group work and other assignments. Absence beyond that can be compensated by supplementing assignment(s) if the instructor finds it possible. In case of an absence of 50% or more, the course is considered as interrupted, even if assignments have been completed.
  • Students have the opportunity to take the exam according to the original course syllabus within two years after the course. If there are special reasons, such a re-examination can also take place later. Normally, teaching is not given according to an older syllabus. The possibility of exemption shall be decided by the president or vice president.
  • If a student due to disability has a decision from the EHS on special pedagogical support, the examiner shall, if necessary, adapt the examination and conduct the examination in an alternative way.

Established by Subject Representative College at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm on January 20, 2023.