Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

The Triune God

Unit Code: 
OCT329
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit starts from the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity in the Christian faith. It moves from the study of New Testament materials to look at formative patristic developments. In addition, it examines directions taken in Trinitarian thought following its resurgence in the twentieth century, including the claims of some theologians that only a Trinitarian theology can respond adequately to modern atheism.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity and its theological development from its Christological foundations.
  2. Appraise the modern challenges to belief in God and the resurgence of trinitarian theology in the 20th century.
  3. Articulate differences in understanding the Trinity between the Eastern and Western churches.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of trinitarian accounts of creation, the theology of the cross and the problem of suffering.
  5. Critically evaluate a range of 20th century theologies of the Trinity, including social and feminist accounts.
Lecturer/s: 
Paul Gallagher
Timetabling
Unit Frequency: 
Biennial
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2013
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field C Christian Thought and History
Disciplines: 
Systematic Theology
MDiv Field: 
Christian Thought and History
Department Name: 
Department of Christian Thought and History
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Specialised
Prerequisites: 

30 points of Foundational study in Theology and Church History

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

There are six fortnightly sessions covering the Triune God. Each session consists of guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussions in each session.

Workload
Total workload hours per week: 
0
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

Participation in each of the six online tutorials

Weighting: 
10%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
45%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 3000 word essay

Weighting: 
45%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • Barth, K. Church Dogmatics. Vol. I/1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1975.
  • Gunton, C. E. The Promise of Trinitarian Theology. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991.
  • Heron, A. The Holy Spirit. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983.
  • Hunt, A. Trinity: Nexus of the Mysteries of Christian Faith. New York: Orbis, 2006.
  • Jenson, R. W. Systematic Theology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997.
  • Johnson, E. A. She Who Is. New York: Crossroad, 1994.
  • Kasper, W. The God of Jesus Christ. London: SCM, 1984.
  • Kelly, A. The Trinity of Love. Wilmington, Rel: M. Galzier, 1989.
  • Lacugna, C. M. God For Us. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1991.
  • Mackey, J. P. The Christian Experience of God as Trinity. London: SCM, 1983.
  • Moltmann, J. The Trinity and the Kingdom of God. London: SCM, 1981.
  • O’Collins, G. The Tripersonal God. New York: Paulist, 1999.
  • Pannenberg, W. Systematic Theology. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.
  • Peters, T. God as Trinity. Westminster: John Knox, 1993.
  • Schwöbel, C. (ed.) Trinitarian Theology Today. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1995.
  • Sherlock, C. God on the Inside. Canberra: Acorn Press, 1991.
  • Volf, M. & Welker, M. (eds). God’s Life in Trinity. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2006.
  • Welker, M. God the Spirit. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994. 

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