Trinity, Society and Dialogue
29 July - 01 November
Rev Assoc Prof Geoff Thompson
This unit will explore the origins and contemporary significance of the doctrine of the Trinity. Key historical developments in the Eastern and Western traditions will be surveyed. Against this historical background, the re-emergence of the doctrine of the Trinity in the twentieth century will be explored. Attention will be paid to the role which this doctrine is playing in the global church’s encounter with modern atheism, religious pluralism, and theological discussions of gender and sexuality.
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Delivery Notes
This unit will be an ecumenical venture joining Uniting and Anglican classes. The Trinity class will meet synchronously with a parallel unit at Wollaston Theological College, Perth. Lectures will be supplemented with tutorials, class discussions and online resources.
Prerequisites
CT3000P - CT1000P (Christianity’s Big Ideas) or CT1010P (Culture, Beliefs and Theology) and one level 2 CT Unit.
CT9000P - Follows on from Worship in Context and Christian Assembly, but these need not be pre-requisite.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Details
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the key developments in the emergence of the doctrine of the Trinity
- Articulate the sense(s) in which the doctrine can be described as 'biblical'
- Understand the different trajectories of the doctrine in the Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity
- Summarise the reasons for the re-emergence of the doctrine in the twentieth century
- Explain the potential contributions of this doctrine to the church's dialogue with one or more of modern atheism, religious pluralism or gender and sexuality
Variant 1
Task 1 - Seminar or Tutorial - Document Analysis
Presentation of a critical review of a selected key text on trinitarian theology. (1000 words).
Task 2 - Essay - Research Essay
Research essay on the trinitarian theology of a selected theologian (2000 words)
Task 3 - Essay - Research Essay 2
Research essay on the contribution of trinitarian theology to one key contemporary issue OR Research essay on an aspect of the historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity (2000 words)
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the key developments in the emergence of the doctrine of the Trinity
- Articulate and assess the various sense(s) in which the doctrine can be described as 'biblical'.
- Understand the different trajectories, and assess the significance, of the doctrine in the classical Eastern and Western traditions of Christianity.
- Identify and articulate the reasons for the re-emergence of this doctrine in the twentieth century, including in the theologies associated with 'world Christianity'.
- Explain and assess the potential contributions of this doctrine to the church's dialogue with one or more of modern atheism, religious pluralism or politics
- Evaluate the role of the doctrine of the Trinity within the wider matrix of Christian doctrines.
Assessment
Variant 1
Task 1 - Seminar or Tutorial - Document Analysis
Presentation of a critical review of a selected key text on trinitarian theology (1400 words)
Task 2 - Essay - Research Essay
Research essay on the trinitarian theology of a selected theologian (2800 words)
Task 3 - Essay - Research Essay 2
Research essay on the contribution of trinitarian theology to one key contemporary issue OR Research essay on an aspect of the historical development of the doctrine of the Trinity (2800 words)