In the comments to my last post Brian asked for a couple of book recommendations for the person who wanted to explore the Trinity further. Well, about two weeks ago I received an email from a fellow named Jean-Sébastien asking for some book recommendations, so I will reproduce a slightly updated version of that email.
Recommendations
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- The Trinity Guide to the Trinity by William J. La Due. La Due surveys the devlopment of the doctrine of the Trinity by examining the contributions of some of the most important teachers of history. He begins in the Old Testament and concludes with the work of some contemporary thinkers.
. - The Tripersonal God: Understanding and Interpreting the Trinity by Gerald O’Collins. This is a great book that will serve as a good introduction for anyone, as it is very engaging and easy to read.
. - The Trinity: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on the Trinity, edited by O’Collins, et. al. This is a collection of essays covering a wide range of topics from some of today’s top scholars (e.g., Gordon Fee, Craig Evans, Stephen Davis, et. al.).
. - The Triune God: An Essay in Postliberal Theology by William C. Placher. This is probably my favorite book from the last year. Placher approaches the subject of God apophatically, opting to focus on what we can say that God isn’t rather than what God is. [Read my review here]
. - The Trinity by Karl Rahner. This book seems to be almost necessary reading as Rahner’s axiom “the economic Trinity is the immanent Trinity and vice versa” has stirred quite a bit of discussion in the theological world over the last 30 years. But for as small as this volume is, it is not light reading. I wouldn’t suggest this for beginners.
. - The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology, and Worship by Robert Letham. This book is as comprehensive as you can get in 500 pages. Letham covers just about everything you can hope for in his examination of the Trinity. From the Scriptures to the Church fathers, to modern theologians, almost no stone is left unturned. Hands down, my favorite book on the subject. Again, this is not an introductory book, it assumes some prior acquaintence with the doctrine. [Read my review here]
. - Early Christian Doctrines by J.N.D. Kelly. Kelly is one of the finest historians on the early Church fathers that I have ever read. If you can’t read the fathers for yourself, then read Kelly.
. - A Brief History of the Doctrine of the Trinity in the Early Church by Franz Dünzl. This is definitely my favorite historical book of the last year. Dünzl’s survey is brief but focused. It’s probably the best introduction one can get their hands on (at least that I have read). [Read my review here]
. - Arius: Heresy and Tradition by Rowan Williams. Williams seeks to de-villify the “archtypical heretic” Arius by showing that his foremost concern was with faithfully representing what he believed the Scriptures taught, although he went too far in doing so.
. - The Search for the Christian Doctrine of God: The Arian Controversy, 318-381 by R.P.C. Hanson is a must. Hands down, this is the most comprehensive study of the time period that led up to the formal creedal affirmation of the Trinity.
. - Nicaea and Its Legacy: An Approach to Fourth-Century Trinitarian Theology by Lewis Ayres. Ayres criticizes most who have written about the “Arian Controversy” as portraying a wrong picture of the events. After reading Hanson you’ll want to read Ayres.
I have also reviewed a few books on the Trinity (not listed above).
B”H
Posted in Book Reviews, Books (Misc.), Theology, Trinity
