CHTH313 The Trinity (Advanced)

Overview

An advanced examination of the person and work of the triune God, drawing upon leading Trinitarian theologians from the patristic, medieval, and modern eras.

This paper will extend the work completed at the 100/200-level in Systematic Theology by a more in-depth study of one of the core areas in Christian doctrine, namely the person and work of the triune God. It aims to help you to comprehend more fully the biblical basis of the doctrine; the development of the doctrine in the early church; leading trinitarian theologians such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth; and contemporary issues in trinitarian theology. This study is undertaken with a view towards the difference the doctrine makes for Christian existence and the challenges of human history.

About this paper

Prerequisite

One 200-level CHTH or CHTX paper

Restriction

CHTH 213, 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

Reverend Professor Christopher Holmes

Paper Structure

Module 1: Scripture and Trinity;

Module 2: Road to Nicaea, Nicaea and its Legacy;

Module 3: Augustine on the Trinity;

Module 4: Thomas on the Trinity;

Module 5: Trinity in Modern Theology.

Teaching Arrangements

Fully Distance

Distance: Six 2 hour videoconferences spaced throughout the semester, plus a teaching day.

Textbooks

There is no compulsory textbook for this paper.

Course outline

View the course outline for CHTH 313

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the 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 advanced examination of the person and work of the triune God, drawing upon leading Trinitarian theologians from the patristic, medieval, and modern eras.

This paper will extend work completed at the 100/200 level in Theology by a more in-depth study of one of the core areas in 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 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

Prerequisite

One 200-level CHTH or CHTX paper

Restriction

CHTH 213, 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 enquiring 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

More information link

View more information on the Theology Programme's website.

Teaching staff

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
• 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

View the course outline for CHTH 313.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the 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 historical 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.