Essential Trinitarianism: Schleiermacher as Trinitarian Theologian

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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 doctrines revitalization, but also makes it the centrepiece of Protestant Christianity. Following Schleiermachers 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 Schleiermachers 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 Schleiermachers doctrine of the Trinity, and offers an innovative and constructive reading. Readers will be privy to a fresh look at Schleiermachers doctrine of God and its importance for contemporary theology.

Author Bio

Shelli M. Poe is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Director of the Initiative for Vocational Inquiry, and Director of the interdisciplinary minor in Vocation, Ethics and Society at Millsaps College, USA.