Paul D. Molnar

This book provides an important study of the theology of Thomas F. Torrance, who is generally considered to have been one of the most significant theologians writing in English during the twentieth century, with a view toward showing how his theological method and all his major doctrinal views were shaped by his understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. Torrance pursued a theology that was realist because he attempted to think in accordance with the unique nature of the object that is known. In holding to such a methodology, he drew an analogy between theology and natural science. This book demonstrates how, for Torrance, God relates with humanity within time and space so that creation finds its meaning in relation to God and not in itself; this enabled him to avoid many theological pitfalls such as agnosticism, subjectivism and dualism while explaining the positive implications of various Christian doctrines in a penetrating and compelling manner. This book offers an important resource for students of theology and for scholars who are interested in seeing how serious dogmatic theology shapes and should shape our understanding of the Christian life.

This book provides an important study of the theology of Thomas F. Torrance, who is generally considered to have been one of the most significant theologians writing in English during the twentieth century, with a view toward showing how his theological method and all his major doctrinal views were shaped by his understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. Torrance pursued a theology that was realist because he attempted to think in accordance with the unique nature of the object that is known. In holding to such a methodology, he drew an analogy between theology and natural science. This book demonstrates how, for Torrance, God relates with humanity within time and space so that creation finds its meaning in relation to God and not in itself; this enabled him to avoid many theological pitfalls such as agnosticism, subjectivism and dualism while explaining the positive implications of various Christian doctrines in a penetrating and compelling manner. This book offers an important resource for students of theology and for scholars who are interested in seeing how serious dogmatic theology shapes and should shape our understanding of the Christian life.

Leading systematic theologian, Paul D. Molnar examines the theology of Thomas F. Torrance in three powerful essays. In a ground-breaking chapter, Molnar discusses whether Chalcedon needs to be repaired in order to recognize and maintain the full and complete humanity of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word.He also delves into Torrance's view of justification by grace alone and emphasizes its relation to Liberation Theology. Additionally, comparing the approaches of Karl Rahner and T. F. Torrance, this book explores and explains how a number of Rahner’s presuppositions and conclusions differ from the positions espoused by Torrance, all in order to illustrate the importance of grace in theologies of both thinkers.

Leading systematic theologian, Paul D. Molnar examines the theology of Thomas F. Torrance in three powerful essays. In a ground-breaking chapter, Molnar discusses whether Chalcedon needs to be repaired in order to recognize and maintain the full and complete humanity of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word.He also delves into Torrance's view of justification by grace alone and emphasizes its relation to Liberation Theology. Additionally, comparing the approaches of Karl Rahner and T. F. Torrance, this book explores and explains how a number of Rahner’s presuppositions and conclusions differ from the positions espoused by Torrance, all in order to illustrate the importance of grace in theologies of both thinkers.

Paul D. Molnar discusses issues related to the concepts of freedom and necessity in trinitarian doctrine. He considers the implications of “non-conceptual knowledge of God” by comparing the approaches of Karl Rahner and T. F. Torrance. He also reconsiders T. F. Torrance’s “new” natural theology and illustrates why Christology must be central when discussing liberation theology. Further, he explores Catholic and Protestant relations by comparing the views of Elizabeth Johnson, Walter Kasper and Karl Barth, as well as relations among Christians, Jews and Muslims by considering whether it is appropriate to claim that all three religions should be understood to be united under the concept of monotheism. Finally, he probes the controversial issues of how to name God in a way that underscores the full equality of women and men and how to understand “universalism” by placing Torrance and David Bentley Hart into conversation on that subject.

Paul D. Molnar discusses issues related to the concepts of freedom and necessity in trinitarian doctrine. He considers the implications of “non-conceptual knowledge of God” by comparing the approaches of Karl Rahner and T. F. Torrance. He also reconsiders T. F. Torrance’s “new” natural theology and illustrates why Christology must be central when discussing liberation theology. Further, he explores Catholic and Protestant relations by comparing the views of Elizabeth Johnson, Walter Kasper and Karl Barth, as well as relations among Christians, Jews and Muslims by considering whether it is appropriate to claim that all three religions should be understood to be united under the concept of monotheism. Finally, he probes the controversial issues of how to name God in a way that underscores the full equality of women and men and how to understand “universalism” by placing Torrance and David Bentley Hart into conversation on that subject.

Divine Freedom and the Doctrine of the Immanent Trinity is widely acclaimed by scholars in the field of Christian systematic theology. Molnar's quest to place the doctrine of the immanent Trinity on the agenda of the Christian doctrine of God has proven to be a signal contribution to the debate in contemporary Christian theology.The material in this second edition has been thoroughly updated: it contains a new preface and a new introduction, as well as a revised bibliography. The book includes a brand new chapter titled 'Divine Freedom Revisited' which addresses those questions that have arisen in connection with Molnar's original presentation of the divine freedom. Molnar re-visits here his discussion of the Logos Asarkos, the theologies of Karl Rahner and Wolfhart Pannenberg. He sheds new light on Rahner's and Torrance's discussions of the Resurrection; and incorporates modern discussions by contemporary theologians to offer new insights into Eberhard Jüngel’s thinking.

Christians have always believed in the triune God, but they haven't always understood or used the doctrine of the Trinity consistently.In order to form a coherent view of trinitarian theology, it's important for Christians to have a working knowledge of the two legitimate models for explaining this doctrine: Classical – presenting a traditional view of the Trinity, represented by the Baptist theologian Stephen R. Holmes and the Roman Catholic theologian Paul D. Molnar.Relational – presenting the promise and potential hazards of a relational doctrine, represented by the evangelical theologian Thomas H. McCall and the Baptist philosopher Paul S. Fiddes.In this volume of the Counterpoints series, leading contributors establish their models and approaches to the doctrine of the Trinity (or, the relationship between the threeness and oneness of the divine life). Each expert highlights the strengths of his view in order to argue how it best reflects the orthodox perspective. In order to facilitate a genuine debate and to make sure that the key issues are revealed, each contributor addresses the same questions regarding their trinitarian methodology, doctrine, and its implications.

This work argues that the resurrection must be seen as the beginning rather than the end of Christology (the branch of theology dealing with the nature, person, and deeds of Jesus Christ).

This study of the Lord's Supper (which Barth did not live to write) systematically develops the implications of Karl Barth's doctrine of God for his view of the sacrament. It analyzes his conceptions of God, revelation, grace, and sacramental causality, critically comparing them to the views of Rahner, Torrance, Wainwright, Jungel, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Gunton, and others. By contrasting Barth's views with more recent theology, this study clarifies many important issues that are often neglected or misunderstood by theologians who have moved -beyond- Barth without grappling with the important questions he raised, especially concerning God's freedom. Sacramental controversies are explored in the context of Christology and Trinitarian theology."