Divine Simplicity: Christ the Crisis of Metaphysics

by Paul R. Hinlicky

A Fresh Articulation of the Unity of God

This volume critiques various ways divine simplicity--which suggests God's being is identical to God's attributes--has shaped Christian theology and offers a fresh articulation of the unity of God. The author proposes that the concept of divine simplicity, carried over from the Greek metaphysical tradition, was heedlessly incorporated into the language of Christian trinitarian theology during the patristic period. He identifies numerous problems that have resulted from its retention in postpatristic Christian dogmatics, arguing that uncritical use of the concept renders the biblical God inexpressible and unknowable. This major contribution to contemporary trinitarian dogmatics also contains a unique approach to the problem of Christian-Muslim relations.

Genres: Theology

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2016

About the author

Dr. Hinlicky is an internationally-known theologian who has published more than seventy articles and many books. He is an authority on the theology of Martin Luther and how Luther's theology played out in history since the time of the Reformation. He also works on the re-integration of Reformation and Patristic theology, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, and is concerned with the interplay between Christian theology and contemporary, "post-modern" philosophy. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America who has served congregations for extended terms in Delhi, NY, and Blacksburg, VA. He was editor of the Lutheran Forum and Pro Ecclesia. Dr. Hinlicky came to Roanoke College in 1999 after teaching theology for six years at Jan Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Reviews

[Mandimby Ranaivoarisoa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A modern re-thinking (thus rejection!) of the classical doctrine of divine simplicity. It does not weigh much against Dolezal's book (All that is in God).

[Benjamin Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good exploration from a neo-orthodox perspective of the nature of God, even though I disagree with his conclusions and I don't find his arguments convincing.