TRINITARIAN SOUNDINGS IN SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY. Edited by Paul Louis Metzger. London and New York: T & T Clark International, 2005. Pp. xii + 225. Paper, $39.99, ISBN 0567084108
Being a collection of fifteen essays in honor of the late Colin Gunton, this book avers to explicate more fully the influences upon Gunton’s trinitarian-based theology (Barth’s shadow runs throughout the text), as well as the influence of Gunton’s trinitarian and systematic theology upon the academy at large (the contributors are leading theologians and scholars from Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Baptist, and Reformed circles). One essay (Murray Rae’s) is a prolegomena to the remaining fourteen, followed by four essays on the history of trinitarian thought: by Metzger, Paul Blackham, Peter M. B. Robinson, and Gunton himself. Then Demetrios Bathrellos, Georg Pfleiderer, and James M. Houston each contribute illuminating essays regarding the relations within the Trinity. The relationship between the Trinity and the ecumenical church is addressed by Miroslav Volf and Paul D. Molnar separately. Kelly M. Kapic suggests a future trajectory for trinitarian eschatology, and four other authors – Stephen R. Holmes, Stanley J. Grenz, R. N. Frost, and Esther D. Reed – focus on the interface between science and Trinitarian issues. Notably, Holmes’ portrayal of the Trinity as God’s “two hands” provides an excellent foundation to perceive the Spirit’s activity within creation. Moreover, Grenz attempts to avert the [post]modern demise of the self by establishing the Imago Dei in Trinitarian terms. All in all, a fitting tribute to one of the great dogmatic and trinitarian theologians of the late twentieth century.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA 23464