Light of Light: How Trinitarian Theology Became a Thing, and Why It Matters - Paperback

by Johannes Aakjær Steenbuch (Author)

The Trinity is at the heart of Christian theology. On the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea in 325 and the Nicene Creed, it is worth reflecting on what this means, and why it matters. Nicene theology was revolutionary in its radical views on God, salvation, and what it means to be human made in the image of God. It definitively rejected all forms of subordinatianism, making it clear that Christ is more than just a cosmic intermediary. God is not just distant, but takes action by becoming human for us, as the Nicene Creed puts it. A hierarchical view of God and humanity was gradually replaced by a more egalitarian one. This book introduces the debates that helped establish the doctrine of the Trinity in the fourth century. Along the way, the sometimes complex philosophical questions are related to how we perceive human relations, salvation, and the doctrine of atonement. Finally, the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in subsequent theology is briefly outlined.

Author Biography

Johannes Aakjær Steenbuch received his PhD in philosophy from the University of Copenhagen with a dissertation on negative theology and ethics in Clement of Alexandria and Gregory of Nyssa. He is the author of numerous articles and books on Patristics and historical theology, including Negative Theology: A Short Introduction (Cascade, 2022).