The Adorable Trinity: Standing for Orthodoxy in Nineteenth–Century America

by Mantle Nance

The Adorable Trinity investigates the little–known yet fascinating conflict between Trinitarianism and Unitarianism in the nineteenth century American South. It explores the lives, ministries, and theological contributions of three Southern Presbyterian pastor–scholars associated with Columbia Theological Seminary – James Henley Thornwell, Thomas Smyth, and Benjamin Morgan Palmer – and their winsome, fruitful stands for the Trinitarian faith in response to a burgeoning Southern Unitarian movement. In a readable and engaging way, the author provides readers with intriguing history that illumines the mind and warm theology that moves the heart to adore and serve the Triune God of love.    

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 8, 2020

Reviews

[Connor Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book for seminary all about the Trinity. “ adorable usually means cute, but they used it to mean worthy of utmost adoration, love, and devotion.” This book follows the lives of three men James Thornwell, Thomas Smythe, and Benjamin Palmer. During their time, many of the Northern Seminaries were promoting Unitarianism, the idea that there Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not God and that the Trinity does not exist. Each of these me had a strong opponent in their Cities (Columbia, Charleston, and New Orleans) and played a substantial role in the South repelling Unitarianism. The book is well researched and well written but a little dry at times. Dr. Nance does a great job looking at the implications for Unitarianism and the blessings of Trinitarianism. I found the middle section about Smythe the most compelling and challenging! Would recommend to someone wanting to know more about Trinidadian implications, Unitarianism, or Southern Christian History.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I wanted to read something on the Trinity and Mantle was a classmate in seminary. I couldn't have known how much this book would benefit me. It is a readable and enjoyable book, but one that will deepen your historical knowledge, enrich your understanding of the Trinitarian God's work in salvation, and strengthen your love for the Adorable Trinity.

Mantle writes of the battle between Trinitarianism and unitarianism in the 19th century American South. He does this specifically by looking at the influence of three Columbia Seminary men in pushing back the rising tide of unitarianism in the south. He looks at Thornwell in Columbia, South Carolina, Thomas Smyth in Charleston, South Carolina, and Benjamin Morgan Palmer in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each of these three men are engaged in a battle for the life of Christ's church with unitarianism.

In doing this Mantle demonstrates that this is not merely an argument of reason, but a battle of true worship and the Christian life. He helps the reader to begin to worship and live in a way that is more consistently Trinitarian, and in doing this he helps us to build a more robust faith. He closes with specific pastoral applications that would help the minister to minister in a more Trinitarian manner.