The Trinity: How Not to Be a Heretic

by Stephen Bullivant

"Trinity" is Christianity's most basic description of who God actually is―and who he needs to be in order to save us. It is at the very heart of what Christians believe, and very little else in Christianity makes sense without it. Despite this, a great many Christians, including significant numbers of teachers, catechists, and preachers, do not feel confident in talking about it. It is not that they don't believe in the Trinity, because they certainly do. But they are not altogether sure that what they think they believe about it is what they are "supposed" to, and they fear both revealing their ignorance, and leading others astray. The central idea of this book is that, contrary to popular assumption, the Trinity is a very simple doctrine. It consists of just three short, deeply scriptural i) There is only one God; ii) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God; and iii) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not the same. The How Not to Be a Heretic explains how the earliest Christians came to be convinced by each statement, why they matter, and how―slowly, over a period of several centuries―it found a way of saying all three at once. Its sole purpose is to help Christians of all kinds better understand the Trinity so that they can then help others―Christians, non-Christians, and maybe even some not-yet Christians―better understand it too. †

Genres: Theology, Religion

140 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Stephen Bullivant is Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics in the School of Education, Theology and Leadership. He joined St Mary's in September 2009, after completing his DPhil at Oxford University on the Second Vatican Council's engagement with atheism. In June 2010, he was awarded the Catholic Theological Society of America's 'Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award for New Scholars'.

He is currently Programme Director for the MA in Theology, for which he teaches the 'Scripture and Systematic Theology', 'Themes in Contemporary Theology', and 'Research and Reflective Practice' modules. On the BA Theology and Religious Studies, Stephen teaches both historical and doctrinal topics (inc. 'Foundations in Christian Theology', 'Trinity', 'Vatican II') and religious studies modules ('Atheism and Nonreligion'). He also teaches 'Christ and Christian Ethics' as part of St Mary's well-established foundation course in Youth Ministry.

In addition to his ongoing theological work on - inter alia - the Christian engagement with unbelief, new evangelization, dialogue, and aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, Stephen publishes regularly on the social-scientific study of unbelief and secularity. From 2008 to 2014 he was a co-director of the international Nonreligion and Secularity Research Network. Between 2011 and 2014 he was a committee member of the European Society for Catholic Theology, serving as its delegate to the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology.

A popular speaker and writer, Stephen has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and Vatican Radio, and has written for (among others) New Scientist, The Guardian, America, and Strange Notions. He has also given invited talks and lectures in the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, Brazil, the Philippines, and the USA.

Reviews

[DiAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and easy to understand.

[Rick Lee Lee James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Clears Up Some Things

I really appreciated the depths this book goes to, in such a small volume, to help us understand the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. It is one of the most complex, yet uniting doctrines in all Christianity. This would make a great book for personal study as well as small groups. I could see some great, much needed discussion happening as a result of reading this book with others.

[Don Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without doubt, this is the best book I’ve read so far on the Trinity. Adopting a historical approach — discovering the mystery in the same order in which the Church itself came to understand it — the author presents the doctrine in remarkably clear, and at times even amusing, terms. He doesn’t avoid theological depth, yet never abandons the effort to remain accessible and precise.

It’s true that some of the more challenging aspects are left out: I’m still looking for someone to help me grasp the trinitarian missions and the concept of circumincession, which aren’t even mentioned (though, to be fair, the book is quite short — just 140 pages).

That said, among the various introductions I’ve encountered on this topic, this one stands out by far.

[Jack Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, clear explanations of the doctrines of the Trinity with reference to the Bible and the Church fathers. It touches on some of the philosophy underpinning the Trinity without going too deep into metaphysics so as to confuse or put off the reader. Definitely recommend for any of your friends who aren't exactly sure what the Trinity is or if you want to be able to defend or articulate the doctrine yourself.

[Jeannine Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Bullivant does an excellent job in trying to explain what is it who are the Holy Trinity. I like his use of his easily understood examples after quoting from the early Church fathers. Given our very limited minds compared to God's I say after reading this book I have come closer to understanding the main dogma of Christianity. Finally, which is important for a Catholic this book has the Nihil obstat, so it is free of any doctrinal errors.

[John Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in preparation for an upcoming sermon that I'm preaching on Trinity Sunday. Essentially, it is an exegesis of the following statements, which he believes underpins this theological doctrine:

1. There is only one God.
2. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is each God.
3. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are not the same.

Although grasping the Trinity can sometimes be elusive, this author enabled me to better understand this theological construct. Additionally, his explanation of the various historical heresies which arose as the model for the Trinity was debated was also clear.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding overview of the complex theology of the Trinity. Explained in very clear, accessible language, with a little bit of wit thrown in. This would be an excellent book for an adult education class.

[Fred Eisenhut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Bullivant does a worthwhile job showing how the belief in the Trinity makes sense. He has good knowledge in the early Church Fathers. Protestants would benefit from his insights too.

[naveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short but concise journey into church history with the struggle of the concept of the trinity

[Eric Cromwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand

Great book puts the Trinity into words we can all understand. Takes a lofty subject into lay people terms . Thanks for your hard work.