Resurrecting the Trinity: A Plea to Recover the Wonder and Meaning of the Triune God

by M. James Sawyer

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2017

Overview

The doctrine of the Trinity confounds many Christians. Because they do not have a proper understanding of this truth, they therefore lack the means to make it meaningful in their theology, worship, and everyday life. Resurrecting the Trinity will change this.

In non-academic prose, this book explains the fuzziness and apathy surrounding the Trinity. It provides a fascinating and erudite journey as to how it got this way, and then goes on to show how it is the center of everything and how this glorious doctrine exudes with love, vitality, and richness.

Praise for Resurrecting the Trinity

The Trinity has rightly come in for sustained attention over the past few decades, as theologians have relearned what we had nearly forgotten; namely, that the Trinity is the ground and grammar of all theology. It is now time for high Trinitarian theology to be translated into language for the churches, and that is what Dr. Sawyer is doing in this book. In simple language he explains complex realities and shows why the doctrine of the Trinity is deeply relational and issues out of and then back into rich and intimate worship.

—Myk Habets, Dean of Faculty, Head of Carey Graduate School, and Lecturer in Systematic Theology, Carey Baptist College (New Zealand)

Without a doubt, although Trinitarian discussions abound in the academia today, the doctrine of the Trinity remains to be highly misunderstood, consciously marginalized, and ignorantly unappreciated by many Christians in the local church. Sawyer makes a passionate appeal to give the doctrine of the Trinity a chance. By intentionally looking at it, he asserts, we will come to appreciate its internal splendor and its many personal, soteriological, and missional implications. Sawyer invites us to prepare ourselves to be dazzled by a beauty that our eyes often fail to notice. Resurrecting the Trinity addresses the most common (mis)understandings and answers the most common questions related to the doctrine. The book’s practical approach makes it like a trinitarian FAQ page.

—Dick O. Eugenio, Associate Professor of Theology at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Philippines; author of Communion with the Triune God

Top Highlights

“Instead, Trinitarian theology is no less than a return to our theological roots and the basis of our faith. It involves a commitment to make this foundational doctrine the lens through which all other doctrines are understood.” (Pages 19–20)

“This is the real gospel: Jesus has included us in his own relationship and fellowship and life with his Father in the Spirit.” (Page 10)

“Love is by definition other-centered. In the case of God, the incarnation is proof that God’s love pours out of the Trinitarian persons’ love for one another into other-centered, altruistic, and unconditional love for humanity. The deepest truth of the divine being is the dynamic relationship of the love of the Father, Son, and Spirit.” (Page 86)

“Christian faith is not about affirmation of doctrinal propositions: it is about life, participating in koinonia of the Father, Son, and Spirit. This is the goal of the incarnation.” (Page 14)

“God is fundamentally tri-personal, existing in self-giving love. As the apostle John unequivocally states, ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:8). And while it may be self-evident, it bears saying that love, by definition, demands relationship. If God was a solitary monad before creating, then he is not love by nature.” (Page 78)

Contents

• Foreword by C. Baxter Kruger
• The Trinity: Why Is It Important?
• God and the Boxes He Is Put Into
• Jesus: The Way into the Trinity
• God, Three-in-One
• The Son of the Father
• The Holy Spirit

Product Details

• Title: Resurrecting the Trinity: A Plea to Recover the Wonder and Meaning of the Triune God
• Author: M. James Sawyer
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2017
• Pages: 192
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 6x9
• ISBN: 9781683591504

About M. James Sawyer

M. James Sawyer has taught theology, church history, and historical theology for nearly 25 years. He currently serves as Professor of Theology and Church History at Pacific Islands Evangelical Seminary, and as a director of ‘Sacred Saga’ ministries.