Overview
An examination of the person and work of the triune God, drawing upon leading Trinitarian theologians from the patristic, medieval, and modern eras.
This course will extend the work completed at the 100-level in Theology by a more in-depth study of one core area of Christian Doctrine, namely the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This paper will deepen your understanding of the mystery of the triune God as we attend to both the unity of God and to the distinctions of the three persons. Anchored in Holy Scripture and the writings of St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas, the paper also attends to the difference that the Trinity makes for Christian life.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Trinity |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One of CHTH 101, CHTH 111, CHTH 131, CHTX 101, CHTX 111, CHTX 131
- Restriction
- CHTH 313, CHTX 213, CHTX 313
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
- Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
Reverend Professor Christopher Holmes: christopher.holmes@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology Programme’s website
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Reverend Professor Christopher Holmes
- Paper Structure
- Module 1: The Trinity in the Old Testament
- Module 2: The Trinity in the New Testament
- Module 3: Tertullian, Arius and Athanasius, and Nicaea (325 & 381)
- Module 4: St Augustine on the Trinity, Part 1
- Module 5: St Augustine on the Trinity, Part 2
- Module 6: St Thomas Aquinas on the Trinity
- Teaching Arrangements
Fully Distance
Campus: One 2-hour class each week.
Distance: Six 2 hour videoconferences spaced throughout the semester.
- Textbooks
There is no compulsory textbook for this paper.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should:
- Become acquainted with basic Christian teaching concerning the identity and work of the triune God
- Have understood the key theological features of the doctrine and the historic differences of understanding regarding the doctrine between East and West
- Become more adept at the art of reading theological texts and more skilled at expressing theological concepts both orally and in writing
- Sharpen their ability to relate theological claims to Christian practice in a pluralistic age
- Assessment details
Two essays and a final exam.
Overview
An examination of the person and work of the triune God, drawing upon leading Trinitarian theologians from the patristic, medieval, and modern eras.
This course will extend the work completed at the 100-level in Theology by a more in-depth study of one core area of Christian Doctrine, namely the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This paper will deepen your understanding of the mystery of the triune God as we attend to both the unity of God and to the distinctions of the three persons. Anchored in Holy Scripture and the writings of St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas, the paper also attends to the difference that the Trinity makes for Christian life.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Trinity |
|---|---|
| Subject | Christian Thought and History |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One of CHTH 101, CHTH 111, CHTH 131, CHTX 101, CHTX 111, CHTX 131
- Restriction
- CHTH 313, CHTX 213, CHTX 313
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
- Contact
- More information link
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
- Module 1: The Trinity in the Old Testament
- Module 2: The Trinity in the New Testament
- Module 3: Tertullian, Arius and Athanasius, and Nicaea (325 & 381)
- Module 4: St Augustine on the Trinity, Part 1
- Module 5: St Augustine on the Trinity, Part 2
- Module 6: St Thomas Aquinas on the Trinity
- Teaching Arrangements
A weekly two-hour videoconference lecture during the semester. Distance students participate in the campus classes via Zoom.
- Textbooks
There is no compulsory textbook for this paper.
- Course outline
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should:
- Become acquainted with basic Christian teaching concerning the identity and work of the triune God.
- Have understood the key theological features of the doctrine and the historic differences of understanding regarding the doctrine between East and West.
- Become more adept at the art of reading theological texts and more skilled at expressing theological concepts both orally and in writing.
- Sharpen their ability to relate theological claims to Christian practice in a pluralistic age.
- Assessment details
Two essays and a final exam.