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Holy Trinity, Perfect Community
In a series of clear, short chapters, Leonardo Boff unpacks the mysteries of Trinitarian faith, showing why it makes a difference to believe that God is communion rather than solitude. Instead of God as solitary ruler standing above a static universe, Christian belief in the Trinity means that at the root of everything there is movement, an eternal process of life, outward movement, and love. Boff shows how the Holy Trinity is, among other things, the image of the perfect community and the image of the church in its ideal not a hierarchy of power, but a community of diverse gifts and functions. Ideal for study or personal reflection.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2000
12 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Leonardo Boff
286 books70 followersLeonardo Boff, born as Genézio Darci Boff, in Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil, on the December 14, 1938. He is the grandson of Italian immigrants from the region of Veneto who came to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the final part of the nineteenth century. He received his primary and secondary education in Concórdia - Santa Catarina, Rio Negro - Paraná, and Agudos - São Paulo. He studied Philosophy in Curitiba - Paraná and Theology in Petrópolis - Rio de Janeiro. He joined the Order of the Franciscan Friars Minor in 1959 and received his doctorate in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Munich - Germany, in 1970.
For 22 years he was the professor of Systematic and Ecumenical Theology at the Franciscan Theological Institute in Petrópolis. He has served as a professor of Theology and Spirituality in various centers of higher learning and universities in Brazil and the rest of the world, in addition to being a visiting professor at the universities of Lisbon (Portugal), Salamanca (Spain), Harvard (United States), Basel (Switzerland), and Heidelberg (Germany).
He was present in the first reflections that sought to articulate indignance toward misery and marginalization with discourse, which later generated the Christian faith known as Liberation Theology. He has always been an ardent of the Human Rights cause, helping to formulate a new, Latin American perspective on Human Rights with, “Rights to Life and the ways to maintain them with dignity.”
He has received honorary doctorates, in Politics from the University of Turin (Italy) and in Theology for the University of Lund (Sweden). He has also been honored with various awards, within Brazil and the rest of the world, for his struggles on behalf of the weak, the oppressed and marginalized, and Human Rights.
From 1970 until 1985 he participated in the editorial council of Editora Vozes. During this time he participated in the coordination and publication of the collection, “Theology and Liberation” and the entire edition of the works of C. G. Jung. He was Editor-in-chief of “Revista Eclesiástica Brasileira” from 1970 to 1984, of “Revista de Cultura Vozes” from 1984 to 1992, and of “Revista Internacional Concilium” from 1970 to 1995.
In 1984, he was submitted to a process by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, former Holy Office, in the Vatican. This was due to his theses linked to liberation theology exposed in his book "Church: Charism and Power. In 1985 he was condemned to “obsequious silence” and was removed from his editorial functions and suspended from religious duties. Due to international pressure on the Vatican, the decision was repealed in 1986, allowing him to return to some of his previous activities.
In 1992, under renewed threats of a second punitive action by authorities in Rome, he renounced his activities as a priest and ‘promoted himself the state of laity.’ “I changed trenches to continue the same fight.” He continues as a liberation theologian, writer, professor, widely hear conference speaker in Brazil among other countries, also as an adviser of social movements of liberating popular matrix, as the Landless Movement and the Base Ecclesial Communities (CEBs), between others.
In 1993 he was selected as professor of Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Ecology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).
On December 8, 2001 he was honored with the alternative Nobel prize, “Right Livelihood Award” in Stockholm, Sweden.
He presently lives in Jardim Araras, an ecological wilderness area on the municipality of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. He shares his life and dreams with the defender/educator of Human Rights from a new ecological paradigm, Marcia Maria Monteiro de Miranda. He has also become the “father by affinity” of a daughter and five sons, sharing the joys and sorrows of responsible parenthood. He lives, accompanies and recreates the unfolding of life in the “grandkids” Marina, Eduardo and Maira.
For 22 years he was the professor of Systematic and Ecumenical Theology at the Franciscan Theological Institute in Petrópolis. He has served as a professor of Theology and Spirituality in various centers of higher learning and universities in Brazil and the rest of the world, in addition to being a visiting professor at the universities of Lisbon (Portugal), Salamanca (Spain), Harvard (United States), Basel (Switzerland), and Heidelberg (Germany).
He was present in the first reflections that sought to articulate indignance toward misery and marginalization with discourse, which later generated the Christian faith known as Liberation Theology. He has always been an ardent of the Human Rights cause, helping to formulate a new, Latin American perspective on Human Rights with, “Rights to Life and the ways to maintain them with dignity.”
He has received honorary doctorates, in Politics from the University of Turin (Italy) and in Theology for the University of Lund (Sweden). He has also been honored with various awards, within Brazil and the rest of the world, for his struggles on behalf of the weak, the oppressed and marginalized, and Human Rights.
From 1970 until 1985 he participated in the editorial council of Editora Vozes. During this time he participated in the coordination and publication of the collection, “Theology and Liberation” and the entire edition of the works of C. G. Jung. He was Editor-in-chief of “Revista Eclesiástica Brasileira” from 1970 to 1984, of “Revista de Cultura Vozes” from 1984 to 1992, and of “Revista Internacional Concilium” from 1970 to 1995.
In 1984, he was submitted to a process by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, former Holy Office, in the Vatican. This was due to his theses linked to liberation theology exposed in his book "Church: Charism and Power. In 1985 he was condemned to “obsequious silence” and was removed from his editorial functions and suspended from religious duties. Due to international pressure on the Vatican, the decision was repealed in 1986, allowing him to return to some of his previous activities.
In 1992, under renewed threats of a second punitive action by authorities in Rome, he renounced his activities as a priest and ‘promoted himself the state of laity.’ “I changed trenches to continue the same fight.” He continues as a liberation theologian, writer, professor, widely hear conference speaker in Brazil among other countries, also as an adviser of social movements of liberating popular matrix, as the Landless Movement and the Base Ecclesial Communities (CEBs), between others.
In 1993 he was selected as professor of Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Ecology at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).
On December 8, 2001 he was honored with the alternative Nobel prize, “Right Livelihood Award” in Stockholm, Sweden.
He presently lives in Jardim Araras, an ecological wilderness area on the municipality of Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. He shares his life and dreams with the defender/educator of Human Rights from a new ecological paradigm, Marcia Maria Monteiro de Miranda. He has also become the “father by affinity” of a daughter and five sons, sharing the joys and sorrows of responsible parenthood. He lives, accompanies and recreates the unfolding of life in the “grandkids” Marina, Eduardo and Maira.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 16, 2024
Boff toes the line between projecting human sensibilities onto the Trinity and making the Trinity the source of human structuring. But overall, it is a good introduction to trinitarian theology with a liberationist tinge.
December 5, 2021
Quick and easy read, with a lot of deep information that is reflective and insightful.
The good - It is straight to the point. It also provides some well structured arguments that can easily be traced to the world of liberation theology. And, there are certain topics in regards to the Trinity that are purely necessary to highlight for any introduction to systematics, believer who might seek more, or anyone who struggles to wrap their head around the concept.
The bad - There are just some aspects that Boff does not give enough concern to which continues to undermine components of modern Christian monotheism (for me!). Questions remain over characterization, definitions, reason versus imagination, and more. I understand all of that cannot be wrapped into this tiny little book, but they are questions that seem to be evaded time and time again, and not just by Boff.
The good - It is straight to the point. It also provides some well structured arguments that can easily be traced to the world of liberation theology. And, there are certain topics in regards to the Trinity that are purely necessary to highlight for any introduction to systematics, believer who might seek more, or anyone who struggles to wrap their head around the concept.
The bad - There are just some aspects that Boff does not give enough concern to which continues to undermine components of modern Christian monotheism (for me!). Questions remain over characterization, definitions, reason versus imagination, and more. I understand all of that cannot be wrapped into this tiny little book, but they are questions that seem to be evaded time and time again, and not just by Boff.
October 3, 2018
Parts of this book really resonated with me. However, overall, it came across as Roman Catholic apologetics and at times was very sexist, in my opinion. In addition, it took great leaps of logic, without taking the time to justify them. Overall, if I was not reading this for a class, I would not have finished it.
August 6, 2007
This is the second book I've now read by the Lib theologian, Leo Boff. Similar to his first one, "Holy Trinity," expresses orthodox doctrine from the perspective of the economic poor. He acknowledges that all perspectives are relative, but--and this is key--it is to the poor that the message of the Gospel was brought, so it is from their perspective that the intent of the Gospel can be discerned. For liberation theologians, the poor are the priests.
In "Holy Trinity," Boff considers the significance of the Trinity for the oppressed. He unearths numerous liberating insights, and central to all of them is the idea of God-as-community. This type of thinking counters monarchial thinking of the lone absolute ruler, and recasts the image of God as communal equality; 3 distinct yet inseparable persons whose interaction creates mutual fulfillment. This is the central meaning of Trinitarian theology that Boff has gathered from the oppressed of Latin America--those among whom the message was/is given.
In "Holy Trinity," Boff considers the significance of the Trinity for the oppressed. He unearths numerous liberating insights, and central to all of them is the idea of God-as-community. This type of thinking counters monarchial thinking of the lone absolute ruler, and recasts the image of God as communal equality; 3 distinct yet inseparable persons whose interaction creates mutual fulfillment. This is the central meaning of Trinitarian theology that Boff has gathered from the oppressed of Latin America--those among whom the message was/is given.
February 4, 2015
Christians have -- with exceptions -- named God as Trinity. The traditional formula of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is in a state of flux, but nonetheless we continue to think of God as Trinity. Leonardo Boff, a leading Brazilian Liberation Theologian ("silenced" by the Vatican under JPII) has written an intriguing and understandable exploration of the Trinity. He keeps traditional language but goes deeper underneath to suggest alternative ways of bringing Feminist critique into the conversation.
The book is brief and the chapters are short and spiritually oriented. It is one of best brief treatments of the Trinity that I've encountered. Thus, I recommend it highly as a good starting place for an exploration of the ways in which we name God.
The book is brief and the chapters are short and spiritually oriented. It is one of best brief treatments of the Trinity that I've encountered. Thus, I recommend it highly as a good starting place for an exploration of the ways in which we name God.
June 2, 2015
Boff's Holy Trinity, Perfect Community is a summary of his Trinity and Society, and an interesting introduction to some current thought on the Trinity from a Catholic liberation theologian. As a summary the argumentation that Boff probably uses in the Trinity and Society isn't here, so the work comes off mostly flat assertions, many of which are typical of orthodox Christianity, but a few interesting ones that deserve more space. Boff's central thesis is the importance of the Trinity in Christian theology, the formation of society/the Church, and liberative practice. When we start to take the Trinity seriously and primary, we will begin to see a transformation of our lives in that community.
July 6, 2007
Boff really expands on the idea of the Trinity as a community, and on our call to reflect that. If God, in Gods triune nature, laid out a model for us to follow in our relationships with each other, then "We never simply live, we always live together. Whatever favors shared life is good and worthwhile. Hence, it is worthwhile believing in this community stule of God's existence of God's trinitarian manner that is always communion and union of three" (xvi).
October 27, 2014
Really enjoyed this book! Particularly the explanation of the Trinity and how it was a prime example of the church. Faith, hope, and love seeking to live the ideal of union proposed by Jesus himself. He goes on to explain each, and give several other examples that are easily understood. From family, to society, to church, to world: integration, association, and totality. All stem from unity and the divine communication of the magical Three. (The Trinity: Jesus, God & the Holy Spirit.
November 7, 2007
Some of the Roman Catholic hierachy is mad at him. Vive Boff!
Solidaridad!
Solidaridad!
May 27, 2010
This is a great book on the trinity from a Liberation Theological viewpoint. I think he gives one of the best explanations of the trinity in the little book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews