“Dr. Hans Schwarz does a thorough examination of the concept of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, the teaching of Jesus, the teaching of Paul and other New Testament writers, the early Church Fathers, the theological controversies which confront the issue head-on, and through the Middle Ages to the Reformation. He continues to trace it through the Enlightenment and through the works of theologians of the 19th century, and finally through the theologians of the 20th and 21st century to the present. As far as Schwarz is concerned, there is no doubt that the Holy Spirit played a huge part in the theology of Jewish and Christian history. The question he raises is whether the concept of the Trinity which equates Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can be supported by the biblical sources, or whether it is a theological construct which developed and became embedded in the official theology of the church. That is the question with which the reader is confronted in this must-read study of the Holy Spirit and its relation to the doctrine of the Trinity. I can enthusiastically recommend this book by Dr. Hans Schwarz because his research is so thorough and his conclusions are so honest.”
The Trinity: The Central Mystery of Christianity
In the last thirty years, books on the Trinity have abounded. There seems to be a fascination with this mysterious topic, especially among systematic theologians. The topic has been mined for many different interests, from liberation theology to feminist interpretations of the Christian heritage and from neo-Reformation theology to interreligious dialogue. This book has no intention of adding to the plethora of treatises on the Trinity. The main question with which it is concerned is what is really scripturally tenable with regard to the Trinity and what is unwarranted theological construction or even speculation. Through this question, Schwarz tries to discern whether the theological assertions made about the Trinity are in line with the biblical base from which they are derived, or whether they have veered off in a more or less questionable direction. What takes shape here is a story: how the doctrine of the Trinity developed over the subsequent centuries from the traces in Scripture to a centralized dogma at the heart of Christian teaching. We witness in this an evolution from proclamation to controversy to speculation. What are we to make of this doctrine? How do we articulate the biblical faith today?
- Publisher Fortress Press
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781506432984
- eBook ISBN 9781506432991
- Dimensions 6 x 9
- Pages 217
- Publication Date October 1, 2017
Endorsements
I can enthusiastically recommend this book by Dr. Hans Schwarz because his research is so thorough and his conclusions are so honest.
Terry C. Dohm | Newberry College
Hans Schwarz provides a concise yet comprehensive survey of the Trinity
"Hans Schwarz provides a concise yet comprehensive survey of the Trinity in biblical, historical, and contemporary thought."
Russell C. Kleckley | Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN
Readers from seasoned theologians to those picking up their first theology text will be enriched!
“Hans Schwarz has once again provided a treasure to the church! The Trinity: Fact and Fantasy takes the reader on a clear and comprehensive journey through the doctrine of the Trinity beginning with the witness of scripture and ending with an examination of the exciting recent insights into the teaching about the Triune God. As always, it is readable and informative. Readers from seasoned theologians to those picking up their first theology text will be enriched!”
David C. Ratke | Dean, College of Theology, LR-LTSS