Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology

Book Description

The first part of Nicaea and its Legacy offers a narrative of the fourth-century trinitarian controversy. It does not assume that the controversy begins with Arius, but with tensions among existing theological strategies. Lewis Ayres argues that, just as we cannot speak of one `Arian' theology, so we cannot speak of one `Nicene' theology either, in 325 or in 381. The second part of the book offers an account of the theological practices and assumptions within which pro-Nicene theologians assumed their short formulae and creeds were to be understood. Ayres also argues that there is no fundamental division between eastern and western trinitarian theologies at the end of the fourth century. The last section of the book challenges modern post-Hegelian trinitarian theology to engage with Nicaea more deeply.

Customer Reviews:

From the cover.......2005-08-29

From the back of the book:
The first part of this book offers a new narrative of the fourth-century Trinitarian controversies. It takes forward modern revisionary scholarship, showing the slow emergence of the theologies that came to constitute pro-Nicene orthodoxy. Ancient heresiological categories, such as "Arian" and "Neo-Arian," are avoided while the unity of "Nicene" theologies is not assumed. In the second part, the author offers a new account of the unity in diversity of late fourth-century pro-Nicene theologies. In particular he argues that the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed and the statements of unity and plurality in the Trinity to be found in all pro-Nicene theologians and in Theodosius' anti-heretical legislation were intended to be understood in the context of a broad set of theological practices and assumptions. He offers an account of the basic strategies that ground pro-Nicene theology, focusing on common epistemological concerns, a common notion of purification and sanctification, and a common aesthetics of faith. He also provides detailed introductions to the Trinitarian theology of Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine of Hippo. Throughout the first two parts of the book a constant concern is to show that the common acceptance of a basic division between eastern and western Trinitarian theologies is unsustainable. Finally, the author considers the failure of modern Trinitarian theology to engage pro-Nicene theology in a substantial manner. Fundamental characteristics of the culture of modern systematic theology, especially the role of narrative and the influence of Hegel, prevent appreciation of the theological culture essential to pro-Nicene theology.

The One, the Three and the Many (Bampton Lectures)

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Astounding Achievement!
Breathtaking!
Great Western Book

The One, the Three and the Many (Bampton Lectures)
Colin E. Gunton
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521421845

Book Description

This study, based on the Bampton Lectures delivered in the University of Oxford in 1992, examines what is often called the crisis of modernity, with reference not only to modernity but to modern culture in general. Problems of social, theological, and philosophical thought are traced back beyond the Enlightenment to the very roots of Western Christian theology. A response to these problems is essayed by constructively developing conceptual possibilities to be found in ancient and modern theology of the Trinity.

Customer Reviews:

Astounding Achievement!.......2004-08-12

This is arguably the best and most influential book that Colin Gunton ever wrote. In breif, Gunton persuasively argues that modern culture has been unable to provide a proper balance between the one and the many that a proper social order requires. He notes how the particular, relatedness and a proper concept of meaning and truth are lost in the modern world.

Gunton traces this failure in the culture of modernity (and postmoderinty, or "late modernity" as Gunton terms it) and shows how it is largely due to the loss of the Christian doectrine of the Trinity in which the one and the many exist in harmony with the particular and relatedness both recieving their proper place, neither being eclipsed or oppressed by the other.

Gunton's constructive work is brilliant to put it midly. This book is incredibly important for students of theology, philosophy and politics to read and understand. Gunton brilliantly articulates a trintarian ontology of personhood wherein persons are conceived as being constituted by their relationships with God, other persons and the rest of creation. This relational ontology of personhood is a profound antidote to the latent individualism of modernity and the fragmentatation of the postmodern world.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I believe that it is one of the most important theological books any Christian should read (for other such books, see my listmania list with that title). This book is intellectually stimulating, practically relevant and theologically profound. What more could we aske from that which purports to be called theology?

Breathtaking!.......2002-04-03

Gunton's thesis is that the doctrine of the Trinity, specifically in the concept of perichoresis, sheds light on the relational nature of all created reality and can serve as a conceptual model for the restoration of fragmented modern culture. In the perichoretic maintenance-in-tension of the one God and the three Persons, we find a model for a balanced integration of truth, goodness, and beauty in culture that is both unified and particular, coherent and true to diversity. As Gunton puts it (177): "But just as a unitarily conceived ultimate reality encourages fragmentation [reviewer note: i.e., by right, rebellious insistence on the reality and value of the particular], so by contrast a God conceived trinitarianly, a God who contains within himself a form of plurality in relation and creates a world which reflects the richness of his being, can surely enable us better to conceive something of the unity in variety of human culture."

The book is in 8 chapters (originally lectures), arranged, as Gunton notes explicitly (e.g., 130), chiastically: the problems described in chap.1 are resolved in chap. 8; the problems of chap. 2 are resolved in chap. 7; etc.

Part One: The Displacement of God

1. From Heraclitus to Havel. The problem of the one and the many in modern life and thought
2. The disappearing other. The problem of the particular in modern life and thought
3. A plea for the present. The problem of relatedness in modern life and thought
4. The rootless will. The problem of meaning and truth in modern life and thought

Part Two: Rethinking Createdness

5. The universal and the particular. Towards a theology of meaning and truth
6. `Through whom and in whom...' Towards a theology of relatedness
7. The Lord is the Spirit. Towards a theology of the particular
8. The triune Lord. Towards a theology of the one and the many

Great Western Book.......2000-04-04

Gunton's book is amazing. It covers a vast away of knowledge, but he has woven the strands together too well to notice at times. What he has done in essence is acknowledge the failings of Christianity that caused modernity to react so violently against it, but he has used this to champion a fuller, more Trinitarian concept of Christianity. The only caveat I place on this book is that it tends to be Western: it deals with the culture of modernity well, but one must always bear in mind this book does not deal directly with other cultures.

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Uris' Masterpiece
The hobo Philosopher
An enjoyable and historical read
Very insightful
Wonderful Storytelling!

Trinity
Leon Uris
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060827882
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Book Description

From the acclaimed author who enthralled the world with Exodus, Battle Cry, QB VII, Topaz, and other beloved classics of twentieth-century fiction comes a sweeping and powerful epic adventure that captures the "terrible beauty" of Ireland during its long and bloody struggle for freedom. It is the electrifying story of an idealistic young Catholic rebel and the valiant and beautiful Protestant girl who defied her heritage to join his cause. It is a tale of love and danger, of triumph at an unthinkable cost -- a magnificent portrait of a people divided by class, faith, and prejudice -- an unforgettable saga of the fires that devastated a majestic land . . . and the unquenchable flames that burn in the human heart.

Customer Reviews:

Uris' Masterpiece.......2007-09-30

I'm re reading this magnificent tender tragedy again for the third or fourth time.
I have read most of Uris' earlier works as well, but in Trinity he seems to have tapped into a torrent that only the greatest writers have supped at.
This book, dealing with the Catholic/Protestant/British conflicts of the last several centuries, is written with an Irish accent in a way that very few writers could succeed at. This story follows the lives of three different families through the historic voilence, love, hate and tenderness of those times in Ireland, and it is an enthralling read.
The reader must allow a little change from other writing styles to get into the book, but once under way, this book grips you, and grips you more and more. You will be enraged and in tears by turn, but you won't put this masterpiece down, I promise.
I have left out descriptions of the plot details. You will get them directly from the master writer when you read this grand opus.

The hobo Philosopher.......2007-09-14

For a time in my life I read everything that Leon Uris wrote. This book was a stretch. I am half Irish and this was pushing the point a bit. Leon had married a Irish girl so I suppose this peeked his interest. And when we link this defense to the justification of the State of Israel well it becomes more understandable. But whether or not it is reasonable is another story entirely.
With the state of Israel we go back to before Jesus and with this account we find we are claiming property rights back to the 1640s. This is hard to take. It is kind of like Marlon Brando and "let's give it all back to the Indians". I enjoyed the book and the beautiful writing but the philosophy was certainly fiction. I didn't send any money to the IRA after reading this book.

An enjoyable and historical read.......2007-08-25

My husband is of Irish decent. I read this novel years ago and bought the book for him. He couldn't put it down. When he was done, I reread it and enjoyed it all over again. The storyline is interesting and in the process one learns about the conflict between Catholics and Protestants.

Very insightful.......2007-07-24

This book was, for the most part, an enjoyable, entertaining and educational read. The characters were well drawn, with both the "good guys" and the "bad guys" having having both good and bad qualities. It is impossible not to admire most of the antagonists at one point or another, even though they may act despicably at other times. The story gives not only a historical background of Ireland of the late-nineteeth, early-twentieth centuries, but provides insight into how the conflict there affected the political and military aspects of the First World War. All in all, there was much to be admired here.

The only real problem I had with the book was that the ending felt tacked on. There were seven hundred pages of meticulous planning, background, and plotting that were followed by one hundred pages of action movie narration. The conclusion is pretty much foregone fron page one, and the whole novel works toward that fated end, and when it comes, as we know it must, it feels a little bit cheesy.

But on the whole, for a fan of good historical fiction, this is a worthy read.

Wonderful Storytelling!.......2007-05-07

Leon Uris has a fantastic ability to leave you with a sentimental tear in your eye at the end of nearly every chapter! The story is so rich with history and more than the facts but the feelings of the people who lived that history you would think the author was an old irish storyteller who lived those events himself!

Trinity Blood - Rage Against the Moons Volume 1: From the Empire (Trinity Blood)

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Enjoyable reading
Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons I; From the Empire
Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Trinity Blood - Rage Against the Moons Volume 1: From the Empire (Trinity Blood)
Sunao Yoshida , and Thores Shibamoto
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 159816953X
Release Date: 2007-04-03

Book Description

Political turmoil, terrorist plots, and the relentless desire for personal revenge threaten to escalate the conflict between humans and vampires into a full-blown war. Special Ops Team AX will use every brutal weapon on hand--including a Crusnik, a vampire that preys upon other vampires--to save mankind. Packed with action, emotion, and artistry, this first volume of Rage Against the Moons contains tales of heroism, sacrifice, and retribution, as the AX agents strive to protect the innocent and keep the peace.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable reading.......2007-07-19

Go get them Father Nightroad and Tres! This novella was fund light reading. I was already familiar with some of the storyline, having viewed the episode on the Adult Swim cartoon.

Trinity Blood: Rage Against the Moons I; From the Empire.......2007-04-22

This is the first book of the Trinity Bood graphic novels series. The series is divided into two parts: Rage Against the Moons and Reborn on Mars.
This book contains four stories.
Flight Night(anime episode 1) After completing an assignmentin Londonium, Father Abel Nightroad is returning to Rome aboard the Abionese airship Tristan. It is highjacked by Count Alfredo and it is up to Abel to regain control of the ship.
Witch Hunt(anine episode 2) A genetically altered girl, who has the power of touch telepathy is wanted by the Rosenkruetz Order and the Vatican. Her power to scramble and alter memories causes people to slaughter each otehr and themsealves. She finds her only friend is Father Abel Nightroad.
From the Empire (anime episode 7) Endre, a Methuselah serial killer exiled from the Empire contiues his murderous ways in Venice.Allied with the Rosenkruetz Order he helps them set in motion a plan to start a war between the Methuselah Empire and the Vatican. Temporarily partnered with Astoroche, Duchess of Odessa, Abel Nightroad works to preserve the current peace.
Sword Dancer(aninem Episode 6) Father Hugue, another Vatican AX agent investigates the mass murder of the priests and nuns of Oude Kerk. The Vaitcan thinks it is the work of the local vampire lord. The vampire lord is just as in the dark as the Vatican. Father Hugue has his own personal agenda. The key to everything is the surviving nun Sister Agnes.
The anime keeps the manga's ligher comic tone. The graphic novel is a darker, more interesting rendition of Trinity Blood. The graphic novel has strong sense of horror. Characters who are annoying in the anime, are cold-blooded,insane killers. Abel, Tres, and Caterina are stronger, darker characters than in the anime. In many ways this book is a Cold War intrigue book, excep this cold war is set in a post-apocolyptic 31st century.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-04-04

Vampires. Powerful, eternal, virtually indestructible, they are at the highest level of evolution. Aren't they awfully cocky, thinking like that? What if you knew there was something stronger, more powerful, older? What if you were that thing? Well, then you would be AX Special Agent Crusnik. Traveling in the guise of a simple poor priest, which he actually is, Agent Crusnik aids the Vatican in a constant, post-apocalyptic, political battle. Often throwing direct orders out the window, and taking his partners along for the ride, Crusnik battles his enemies to the bitter end. Until the next one appears. Exposing more plots and evils than he expunges, he and the other agents must continue to be a virtually unbeatable force. And that is quite a big shoe to fill.

Don't be put off by the religious references before you read this. This is literally post-apocalypse. Rome is one of the few major powers left, and the Vatican is not at all what you would expect.

Of all of the pop fiction that I've read, which isn't exactly a ton, but is a fair amount, this book comes the closest to anime. So, if you're a fan of anime, this is the book for you.

Amidst the non-stop action, Agent Crusnik is hilariously witty, a little bit bitter, and still manages to remain concerned about everyone else. He's definitely someone I'd want on my side. Just not around all the time, what with the constant death, destruction, and mayhem.

I want more, please. Pleasantly, there are five more stories on the way, as well as DVDs!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

After Our Likeness: The Church As the Image of the Trinity (Sacra Doctrina)

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needed conversation and questions
Excellent Trinitarian Ecclesiology
Excellent actually
A free church vision?
A defense of free church ecclesiology.

After Our Likeness: The Church As the Image of the Trinity (Sacra Doctrina)
Miroslav Volf
Manufacturer: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0802844405

Customer Reviews:

needed conversation and questions.......2007-04-07

I have to say that the previous reviews are about as thorough as I could be, so I only want to add a few general cents here about the text.

First, his desire to have the Congregationalist/Free Church recognized as legitimate ecumenical partners for dialogue is very welcome. Since they represent one of the fastest growing segments in modern Christianity, it makes sense that they should have a voice. But a common voice would be helpful. Congregationalists are a little like talking to Hydra- who is the voice? Volf offers a defense or vision of his ecclesiology, but in the end I believe it remains just that, "his" defense of "his" ecclesiology. In my own dialogue with "Free Churchers" there always remains the but-we-don't-see-it-that-way factor that is hard to go beyond, when the next one can totally agree. I certainly believe that Volf's ideas will find resonance with many readers/prayers/hopers, but in the end, it still lacks the unifying force that remains in the mainline traditions of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy (although some would argue that Orthodox are not unified in any real sense, but that's another story...) which leads them to lack a real, unified alternative to modern society. In chapter 3, Volf argues that it is the Holy Spirit that actualizes the Church. Of course, but that is also the problem with Free Church theology. Its theological identity is always playing second fiddle to its non-conformist, non-structured ecclesial identity, leading to a least common denominator "denomination". What is most essential is then the question. But since when is the Tradition or scripture minimalist? Volf doesn't help there. Although chapter 6 tries to define what it means to be "catholic" (according to the whole), it really doesn't ring true.

Second, his ecclesiology and trinitarianism tend towards individualism, since he still fails to deal substantially with the Eucharist and Baptism and traditional Trinitarian theology (the heart of traditional ecclesiology). Since his ecclesiology is essentially individualistic (Enlightenment?), it makes sense for him to do this, but it totally misses the point. Even while he claims trinitarian models for his approach, I found them lacking in substance. God is more than three roles, three persons united in love or a common substance. (He follows Moltmann's lead in seeing the three Persons of God as individuals united in self-giving. There is certainly precedent for this in the past, starting with St. Gregory Nazianzus' Christology, but it still doesn't go far enough, or perhaps it goes too far!). What unites "God" is the Father- God proper. The Son and Spirit are not the head. What really defines Christian theology is that God exists not as three individuals with relations to each other, but as three who are relations. There is a monarchical order, even if it is beyond our understanding. And this, too, Volf criticizes in Zizioulas, since faith for Volf is rationalization, not the faith of children. Z argues for a suprarational approach/experience of the Church in the context of liturgical realities, not cognitive reflections. And this is the real heart of the issue. If we are to image the Trinity, our imaging is in what we are. I am not really me unless I am united to you. Perichoresis as Volf and Moltmann use it must move beyond united individuals in freedom (Congregationalist ecclesiology). An individual, or the isolated, self-defined Church, is not a person or church in the traditional theological sense.

This book would have been much more useful had it used the sacraments/mysteries as touchstones of ecclesiolgy.

I would suggest reading Zizioulas' "Being as Communion" or "Eucharist Church and Bishop", McPartlan's "Eucharist Makes the Church" and "Eucharist and Church Fellowship in the First Four Centuries" by Werner Elert for a more comprehensive understanding of these topics that Volf ignores outright.

Excellent Trinitarian Ecclesiology.......2004-08-03

This is perhaps the best book written specifically on trinitarian ecclesiology in recent years. Volf is a masterful theologian whose Croatian background gives him certain insights into issues of forgiveness, reconcilliation and the church that not all theologians have. His understanding of the Trinity is astute, being influced largely by Jurgen Moltmann (and to a lesser extent Colin Gunton and John Zizioulas).

In this work Volf engages critically with Catholic and Eastern Orthodox trinitarian ecclesiologies and then proceeds to offer a Free Church trinitarian ecclesiology that solves some of the inherent difficulties in the Catholic and Orthodox approaches.

The Catholic approach to the Trinity exhemplified by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger considers the three persons to be nothing more than relations within the divine essence. Thus, the persons are only intelligible (or even existent) to the extent that they are subsumed into the unitary divine esence. When the church is considered analogously to this model of te Trinity, the members essentailly loose their particular identity, being subsumed into the totality of the church. Volf incisivley critiques the notion of "person as relation" showing how incoherent the idea is. The very grammar of "relation" assumes that relations exist between concrete particulars that subsist in those relations. Volf is careful to avoid concieving relations as voluntary arrangements into which individuals enter. Rather, relations are constitutive of personhood. Thus to exist is to be a particular in relationship to others. This aviods the incoherence of "person as relation" while maintianing that our relations with others constitute us and make us who we are, just as the three persons of the Trinity are who they are by virtue of their relations with one another.

Volf goes on to examine the Eastern Orthodox trinitarian ecclesiolgy of John Zizioulas. In Zizioulas's trinitarianism, the monarchy of the Father is greatly stressed. The Father is seen as the source of the divine communion and unity. As such, when this is translated into ecclesiology it yields an episcopocentric ecclesiology in which the bishop obtains primacy over the laity. Volf critiques this notion biblically and theologically, arguing that and overly hierarchical model of te Trinity cannot be sustained biblically and runs into theological problems (subordinationism).

Volf then begins the constructive task of articulating his own trinitarian ecclesiology in which the Trinity serves as a relational model of equality and communion which the church is created in the image of and ultimately participates in as it is drawn into the divine communion by the Spirit (cf. Jn. 17).

Volf also spends considerable time on the issue of hte eccleial mediation of faith, going a long way towards countering the individualistic notions of faith that have populated the church in the last few centuries. He also spends a great deal of time carefully examining how and in what ways the church can be understood to correspond to and image the Trinity. His treatment of this important question is very good and will be helpful to those skeptical of theology and ethics wherein the Trinity is seen as having implications for our understanding of personhood, the imago dei and, of course ecclesiology.

This is an excellent book that explores the crucial issues of Trinitarian unity and the relationship between the Trinity and models of ecclesiology. The constructive contribution of this book is massive. I highly reccommend it to all students of theology and people that care about the nature and mission of the church.

Excellent actually.......2001-12-11

It is always a distinct pleasure when one comes across an author which one has not read before. Although I have perused articles by Dr. Volf before, this was the first occasion in which I really read his text. The fact that upon finishing this book I began to seek out more of his books is a sign that something he wrote really caught my attention. Maybe it is the fact that as one raised in what can be called the free-church tradition (Baptist, Pentecostal, etc.), it is always delightful when I find a well thought out theologian who shares those same convictions. Or indeed it could be that the intention of the series to provide a Christian Theology for a postmodern age resonated within me.
After Our Likeness begins with the discussion of two very different ecclesiologies. The first is the great Catholic theologian, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. The second is the Orthodox theologian John Zizioulas. Both are esteemed within their respective Church and they are quite able representatives of their traditions. In doing this, Volf seeks to first establish the foundations of these distinct understandings of what it means to be a church, which more or less represent broadly Western and Eastern thinking as a whole. It is because of his real intent that he feels this is necessary. The primary goal of Miroslav Volf in this text is to, "contribute toward making the Free churches and their ecclesiology (or ecclesiologies) presentable, Free Churches that are dogmatically orthodox and that are numerically becoming increasingly significant." He is essentially seeking to provide a theologically developed ecclesiology which could be in dialogue with the older, and rather now defensive, ecclesiologies of the traditional churches. An example of why this is needed is found in the Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry document which was published by the World Council of Churches. Here one from a Baptist tradition feels completely left out of the so-called dialogue.
Having briefly discussed the traditional ecclesiologies, Volf then proceeds to develop one which takes into account the ancient and the modern, seeking to provide a theological model which will be useful for this century, understanding that the global church will increasingly reflect a Free Church form with or without the approval of the World Council of Churches. He begins by looking at the foundations of what the Church is, seeking to show what is at the roots and core of the creation and continuation of the Church in this world. Understanding that the Church is essentially part of ?God?s eschatological new creation?, Volf develops how a church can be identified as such. The core idea is that the Church is an assembly, an assembly which gathers in the name of Christ, committed as individuals to allow their lives to be determined by Jesus Christ. Volf then develops what this means, dealing with the issues of faith, God?s being, the specific structures which result from this core idea, and the question of how differing perspectives can still be united into one whole catholic church. In many ways, what Volf is offering is more of a starting point than a completely thorough treatment, but a starting point which demands to be included in global ecumenical discussions as representing the fastest growing understanding of what being the Church means.

A free church vision?.......2001-07-17

Volf's book explores the question of the manner in which the church is a reflection of the triune God. His own interest is to articulate a free church vision of the church. He seeks to do this in dialogue with the Catholic theology of Ratzinger and the Orthodox theology of Zizioulas. The benefit of this is that both Ratzinger and Zizioulas represent particular and distinctive comprehensions of the trinity. The danger is that it allows Volf considerable latitude in forming his own position. The result is that the book is stronger as a critique of others than as an alternative proposal.

There are a couple of points to be made of Volf's critique of Ratzinger and Zizioulas:

1. Has he been overly selective in his choice of Ratzinger's texts in view of the fact that Ratzinger has not published a comprehensive ecclesiology nor written extensively about the Trinity.

2. Given the importance of eschatology to Volf's argument, the book would have been strengthened by a more detailed engagement with Ratzinger at this point.

3. His critique of Zizioulas's desire to give precedence to person over substance has validity. But given that Zizioulas claims to be working in continuity with the Cappadocians, it would have been helpful to draw distinctions between what Zizioulas is claiming and what they had written. In particular Zizioulas's insistence on the monarchy of the Father is an example of the degree to which he has moved from Gregory Nazianzus.

In Volf's own argument there are times when it reads like a complex justification for much current western practice. While he correctly identifies that free church ecclesiology frequently starts from below rather than from a view of the Trinity one wonders how far Volf goes to correct this. While this book does much to sharpen our thinking and opens up a number of crucial questions there are deficiencies in Volf's proposals:

We must start from a view of the Trinity that give due attention to the person and work of each member and which seeks greater understanding of the relationships between the members. While Volf seeks to distance himself from hierarchical understandings of the Trinity his own views seem to suggest that the Trinity is some form of democracy. Mutual indwelling is a critical part of our understanding but so is the priority of the Father. Flowing from this is an understanding of the role of the Spirit in the creation of fellowship and as the bond of unity as we are being incorporated into the one body over which is Christ as head. Is unity, as Volf claims, derived from the plurality of its members or not.

In short, an important book which raises important questions for the church. It is worth reading and grappling with the issues. However, in the end I think a better case can be made.

A defense of free church ecclesiology........1999-01-23

Volf's book is not so much about a Trinitarian theology of the Church as it is a theological foundation for the ecclesiology of free and congregational churches. Volf is presenting a case for the inclusion of free churches within what is commonly known as the holy catholic, apostolic and universal Church. He compares the ecclesiology of the free (congregational) churches with the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. Naturally, he does not totally accept their systems. However, he does recognize the value of the relational ties that connect the parishes together in their respective traditions. He rejects their hierachial structures, but values the quality of community that exists beyond the local congregation. The larger community is an antidote to parochialism and the danger of local congregations becoming merely religious clubs consisting of like minded persons. Yet, he sees the real strength of Christianity residing in the local congregation. He supports the grassroots or bottom up system of inter-congregational relationships. His ideal of a cooperative Christian community is Trinitarian in nature, many equal bodies joining together to form one unity which is not greater than the sum of the parts. He sees the opposite in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. There, the many have their origin from the one. The whole gives identify to the many, and without the unity of the one, the many cannot exist. He understands the Holy Trinity as being three separate and equal persons of the same substance making up the Godhead. This view is part of his justification of free church ecclesiology. He says that the Orthodox and Roman Catholics have a trinity of unequal persons and practice an ecclesiology of inferior parts. Volf presents a strong academic defense for free church ecclesiology. It is a defense with many useful insights, even for traditions with an episcopalian structure. However, a general weakness of his work is the assumption that all local churches and parishes perfectly practice the theologies and doctrines of their respective traditions. I believe that there is more diversity within denominations and traditions at the local level than anyone in higher academic or ecclesiastical circles wants to admit. Volf carries on a hypothetical dialogue with John Zizioulas and Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger who represent the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church respectively. He claims to present their authentic positions by offering quotes from their writings, However, he is the one selecting the passages to debate. I do not know the context from which he selected the passages; thus, I am not able to determine his objectivity. Ratzinger and Zizioulas do not carry on any authentic dialogue with Volf; it is quotation without true participation. I feel that Volf is presenting Zizioulas and Ratzinger from a position that is most favorable to his cause. Even with this most favorable presentation, I still find myself agreeing more with their positions than with Volf's. This is somewhat unusual because I usually disagree with Ratzinger on most issues. Also, at times, there seems to be a similarity between Ratzinger's idea of ecclesiolgy and those of John Wesley in my own Methodist tradition.

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Disappointed
Good Stories but Not the Art
Trinity Blood Manga 2

Trinity Blood, Vol. 2
Kiyo Kyujyo , and Sunao Yoshida
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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ASIN: 1598166751
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

All roads lead to Rome and the Vatican, as Abel, Tres, and Esther set off to meet up with the rest of AX after the death of Gyula and the destruction of Esther's home church in Istavan. Esther's on a new mission, seeking to find herself and the source of her suffering, and new orders from the Vatican may lead to the answer. But the journey is filled with many twisted turns, including a formidable vampire, a bloodsucking tree, and a dangerously beautiful mermaid! In these original, never-before-told stories--which you will not find in the Trinity Blood novels or anime--all's fair in blood and war!

Customer Reviews:

Disappointed.......2007-07-19

I didn't expect this to be a new fangled "comic book" I forgot the term that they call them today, Oh Yeah Graphic Novel. Additionally the pics and story line aren't well organized and presented. In short this was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT.

Good Stories but Not the Art.......2007-05-16

I am writing this review because I am a little dissapointed with the art.
Volume 1 set the bar pretty high and I had a lot of expectations when I started reading this manga. I like both reading the stories and enjoying the art. I believe the stories were great but the artist got sloppy and he did not put a lot effort on this particular volume.

I hate this trend, you usually get great art in the first volume to only see the quality go down in subsequent books. It is still worth reading...

Trinity Blood Manga 2.......2007-04-14

TB Manga II contains four short stories not included in the anime series. These stories take place between Star of Sorrow and Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Abel, Tres, and Esther travel from Istavan to Rome by train, foot and ship.

Adrenaline Drive tells the story of Count Gyula's protege who seeks to find and kill the Count's killer.

The Sleeping Beauty tells about the trio travel through a dense, dark forest created by a lovesick Methuselah.

Roselyne et les Lion intruduces Leon who the trio to combat a a vampire lord who uses dope to keepp his Terran subjects placid.

Gate of Heaven introduces Prof. William Wadesworth who joins the group on board a luxury liner to battle a ship board singer whow is a siren(Methuselah.)

The Abel,Tres, Esther,Leon,and Professor of the manga are not versions seen in the anime series. On a ranking of the three versions of TB on a darkness scale, I would place the graphic novels as the darkest. The anime is the lightest, and the manga is half way between the other two. I enjoyed all three forms. The changes in sequence, how and when permanent characters are introduced between the books and series show how
well the series writers managed to blend the numerous stories into a comprehensive and seemless series.

The Trinity: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Trinity

Average customer rating:

an excellent volume on the Trinity

The Trinity: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Trinity

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0199246122

Book Description

This interdisciplinary study is the result of an international and ecumenical meeting of nineteen scholars held in New York at Easter 1998: the Trinity Summit. Biblical experts examine the scriptural roots of trinitarian doctrine, patristic scholars correct those who continue to misinterpret the trinitarian teaching of the Cappadocians and Augustine, and five scholars examine systematic and foundational issues like the viability of social models for the Trinity. The volume ends with a study of the Trinity in art and the challenge of preaching the Trinity today. The international reputation of the participants reflects and guarantees the high quality of this joint work.

Customer Reviews:

an excellent volume on the Trinity.......2002-03-29

where to begin? this volume is absolutely packed full of excellent essays on the Trinity. divided into different sections (the Biblical witness; the Patristic witness; Systematic issues; Preaching the Trinity), this volume covers more ground than any other edition that i have come across, and combined with the absolutely stellar level of scholarship from all disciplines, the reader is in for a certain treat.
i have a few minor complaints, though. first, that there is no analysis of the FILIOQUE, and connected with this, that there is (as far as i could tell) no real voice for the Eastern Orthodox approach. finally, it seems as though modern defenses of the social model of the Trinity aren't given anything like a fair hearing.
but there is so much that is good in this book! the analysis of augustine's Trinitarian theology is (thank God) a breath of fresh air, and the same can be said for the analysis given here of the Cappadocian formulation. the high point of the book, for me, was van beeck's 'Trinitarian Theology as Participation', which gave a view of all existence and the universe in its totality as saturated in the Trinity.
an excellent book, i highly recommend it.

The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin

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The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating
The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction
Darkness into Light
awesome pictures, horrible writing
"The most precious object in the western world"

The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin
Bernard Meehan
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0500277907

Customer Reviews:

The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating.......2007-09-30

The Book of Kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Most of the illustrations are in colour and their vibrancy is still apparent across 12 centuries.

I consider that this booklet is worth acquiring for the illustrations alone. It also contains a lot of useful information for those interested in the physical preparation of such manuscripts as well as the underlying historical significance of this particular manuscript.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction.......2007-01-13

The book was just what I was expecting. Shipping was quick.

Darkness into Light.......2005-08-25

I was glad I had this book along with me when I went to see the real Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library in Dublin. The lines of tourists waiting to view this famous eighth century manuscript were about a quarter of a mile long, and the museum proctors were really hustling us through the area where a small sampling of pages were actually on view.

(If you take the tour, be sure to check out the main chamber of the Old Library with its first editions of Newton and Darwin, plus the harp that is (alas, falsely) attributed to Brian Boru, high king of Ireland).

The first facsimile of the Book of Kells was published in 1974, and although this book only advertises itself as 'an illustrated introduction to the manuscript...' it contains good color plates of many of the most famous pages, e.g. the symbols of the four evangelists and the beginning of the 'Breves causae' of Matthew, among others.

Author, Bernard Meehan, the current Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College states that "the sacred text itself was copied in the Book of Kells with a remarkable degree of inaccuracy." It consists of the Latin text of the Gospels, illuminated in the very ornate Hiberno-Saxon style ('Hiberno' refers to the Irish, or Hibernians).

Legend has it that the Book of Kells was produced by St. Colum Cille on the island of Iona off western Scotland. Although it was probably begun in the Irish monastery on Iona, it was taken to the monastery of Kells in County Meath, after a series of Viking raids. The monastery on Iona was pillaged in 795, and again in 802. According to the author, "In 806, sixty-eight of the community were killed in another raid. The following year, the survivors migrated to Ireland and began to erect conventual buildings at Kells..." where the illumination of the manuscript was probably completed.

If you are interested in the historical background of the Book of Kells, the author devotes a whole Appendix to it.

Alas, according to this book's second Appendix, "Losses, Additions and Marginalia," the Book of Kells has not remained intact down through the centuries. "At present there are 340 folios, but around thirty folios, including some major decorated pages have been lost." The monks also used blank spaces in the manuscript to record details of property transactions in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries.

Meehan's book is definitely worth viewing and reading. It also contains a wealth of the smaller decorative illustrations that do not always relate to the sacred text, e.g. hares, dogs, horses, and at least one moth. The color and minute details of these decorations are a source of endless fascination, and the scholarly text, although a trifle dry, is also very interesting.

awesome pictures, horrible writing.......2005-05-16

I like how the author gives various images of the book of kells, but gets really confusing and goes all over the place while writing about it. I think a lot could be learned from this book, but the author crams so many examples into the work that it starts to get annoying. Ever line seems to have parenthesis around something and folio this or that. For that alone i give the book two stars, multiple examples are good, just not when you plague every line with one. It hardly gives the reader a chance to understand the first few.

"The most precious object in the western world".......2002-12-01

Resting at Trinity College Dublin is one of the truly singular products of early European art. This is 'The Book of Kells,' an ornately illuminated rendition of the four gospels, rendered sometime in the Ninth Century. It has been both an influence and an inspiration since the time of its making, illustrating both the story it tells, and the subtle mind of symbolists who wove the story and the art together.

One of the key problems the student of illustrated art suffers in any attempt to study 'The Book of Kells' is the simple matter of access. I believe that the replica edition of the book cost nearly $20,000 when it was published, and most other resources limit themselves to only the most famous of the pages. Only a few detailed studies exist, and this one, written by Bernard Meehan (Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College), is one of the best, both in terms of quality and quantity of reproduction as well as a literate and thorough discussion.

Meehan covers the book's history, influences and parallels, the decorative scheme, and many of the decorative themes used by the illuminators. He also spends time on the more technical aspects of ink and paper. He does this in a pleasant, straightforward yet academically thorough style that is often a fount of information. Where he does not go himself, he provides indications of other possibilities for research and thought. Meehan's agenda is simply to present one of the wonders of human creativity for all to see and enjoy, and he succeeds admirably.

Average customer rating:

A theologically rich, glorifying worship aid

Red Book

Mostly pleased with Trinity Hymnal

Theologically superb

Trinity Hymnal: Red Cover Edition

Manufacturer: Great Commission Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Shepherding a Child's Heart

Don't Waste Your Life

ASIN: 0934688605

Customer Reviews:

A theologically rich, glorifying worship aid.......2006-02-14

Being a dyed-in-the-yarn Southern Baptist, I've always known about the Baptist Hymnal in its various editions. Having used the latest edition in a church for about three years (as a Minister of Music) I began to long for a hymnal that had more substance. Since I have found the writings of the Reformers to be challenging and deep, I thought I would order this hymnal, which I was told contained many of their hymns. I was NOT disappointed! The Trinity Hymnal, while barely larger than its Southern Baptist counterpart, has many more hymns. In addition, it also contains responsive readings, selected Psalms, the Westminster Confession, other creeds, and the Shorter Catechism.

By the way, I purchased my copy from Great Commission Publications (www.gcp.org). It is a hardback version (as opposed to the ring-bound version pictured). The cost for the hymnal and Trinity Psalter (which I also HIGHLY recommend) was under $30, UPS shipping included!

Red Book.......2005-10-05

This is one of the best hymnals we have available to us today. It is used by the PCA Presbyterian Church and is very easy to use. It is filled with Biblically sound hymns and don't worry, it has all the classics. It also contains many hymns that are psalms taken from the various psalters.

I also encourage you to read the introduction and use the psalm readings in the back. This hymnal is such a good resource that if you have a Bible, a catechism, and this hymnal, you have all the books you need for family worship.

I also recommend that you look at purchasing either the "Trinity Psalter" or the "Psalms for Singing."

Mostly pleased with Trinity Hymnal.......2001-03-09

For the most part I have been pretty pleased with the Red edition of the Trinity hymnal though I was very sorry to lose some of the great hymns that were found in the blue Trinity hymnal. Also, several alterations in the words of some of the hymns such as "How Sweet and AWESOME is the Place", instead of "How Sweet and AWFUL is the Place" were sort of annoying to me. But, on the whole, it's a fairly good hymnal and I enjoy using it.

Theologically superb.......2000-02-19

This is a great hymnal in that it is very theologically sound relative to the Reformation. All the hymns are in reality wonderful sermons that are Biblically accurate. You never have to worry about whether you are singing heresy with this hymnal.

Average customer rating:

Gregory Boyd hit the central nerve of the UPC Doctrine
Boyd uses falsified evidence to support shaky theology
Good overview of UPC
Excellent Book
Oneness Pentecostals Exposed in Light of the Bible

Oneness Pentecostals and the Trinity
Gregory A. Boyd
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0801010195
Release Date: 1992-06-01

Book Description

Here today or here to stay? Find out how to stop the pattern of failed relationships and find someone who will commit to a lifetime of love.

Customer Reviews:

Gregory Boyd hit the central nerve of the UPC Doctrine.......2005-08-28

Not only did Gregory Boyd do a great job at exposing the many fallacies within the doctrine of the Oneness Pentecostal Doctrine, but he also shows, (by the responses in these reviews) that there are more than one belief within the UPC church. As an Ex-UPC person for almost 20 years, I'm here to say that Gregory Boyd hit the cental nerve of the UPC doctrine. This is a must read book for those who came out or is coming out of the UPC.

Boyd uses falsified evidence to support shaky theology.......2005-07-20

Gregory A. Boyd claims to have been a devout Oneness adherent before converting to Trinitarianism, despite the fact that he knows almost nothing about Oneness doctrine. His sensationalistic representations of extreme legalism and religious pride in the UPC, for example, is founded only in his own imagination. In addition to most probably misrepresenting his religious affiliations, he purports to address Biblical issues -- then relies almost entirely on Roman Catholic Creedal statements and Conciliar Proclamations to support his "Biblical" theology. He also refutes the well-established lack of Trinitarian teaching in the early church by presenting falsified versions of ancient church documents. For instance, Boyd convincingly supports the early existence of Trinitarianism by claiming that only a few years after the last book of the Bible (Revelation) was completed, Ignatius of Antioch openly appealed to Christians to direct prayer in the threefold name: "in the Son and Father and in the Spirit."
Yet the document Boyd cites (The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians) contains no such statement. The exact passage he claims to quote reads as follows: "Study, therefore, to be established in the doctrines of the Lord and the apostles, that so all things, whatsoever ye do, may prosper, both in the flesh and spirit, in faith and love." (Mag 13:1-2)
Upon investigation, Boyd's source material for most of his arguments turns out to be a KNOWN Catholic forgery of the Ignatian Epistles, riddled with Romanist doctrinal insertions and glosses. Archaeology has long borne out the fact that only late Catholic "versions" of these documents contain all the Trinitarian language Boyd so eagerly quotes. In fact, the translators' introduction to the so-called "Long Recension" edition of the Ignatian epistles (those quoted by Boyd as if they were legitimate historical texts) overtly declares to readers that these Catholic revisions of the original documents represent "a corrupt text...universally regarded as false and spurious."

Good overview of UPC.......2005-07-19

There are a number of well-meaning individuals found in UPC and Apostolic churches who have an immense hatred for the Trinity. "It's not a word found in the Bible," adherents often cry, begging the question that words they use to describe the Godhead are not found there either (i.e. "oneness"). In this book, Boyd does a good job explaining why the Trinity is true, as the concepts are clearly taught in scripture. But UPC people often don't end up with merely rejecting the Trinity; they also say a person must be water baptized (by them, of course, in Jesus' name only) and abide by their numerous rules and regulations. They are, leaders will say, the only true church. Meanwhile, justification and sanctification--important terms in soteriology--are mixed up in a hodgepodge, as there is no distinction. This is a perfect environment for a legalistic mindset and, if I may be so bold, creates a cult. Thus, anyone who has ears, let him hear what the Word of God truly has to say about the subject. Boyd's work is a big help in explaining the prooftexts used by UPC advocates so that answers may be given to all.

Excellent Book.......2003-09-15

As in Letters to a Skeptic, Dr Boyd presents both a scholarly and Biblical approach to the doctrine of the Trinity. This book really opened my eyes to the unbiblical doctrines of the UPC. Oneness is only one of the heretical doctrines taught by the UPC. This book also shows how Oneness Pentecostals have a basic misunderstanding of what the doctrine of the Trinity really teaches.This book has also strengthened my belief in the Trinity. Dr Boyd quotes extensively from accepted Oneness doctrine and Oneness writers, so I think it's unfair to say that the Oneness position is misrepresented. I read this book after reading "Christianity Without the Cross" and found that Dr Boyd's book describes very well what Oneness Pentecostals believe.

I highly recommmend this book to anyone who wants solid Biblical support for the doctrine of the Trinity or to refute Oneness doctrine.

Oneness Pentecostals Exposed in Light of the Bible.......2002-03-15

Gregory A. Boyd exposes this heretical group by comparing their doctrine with what the Bible actually says. Boyd presents the facts in an un-biased way that any "Oneness" member should take a close look at. My experience with the "Oneness" members leads me to believe they are more "cultic" than mainline Christianity. He shows them to be classic twisters of Scripture.

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