The Quest for the Trinity

Short Review: (Read the long review this is a technical book). Holmes focus is showing that modern trinitarian theology is fundamentally different than the Trinitarian doctrine developed by the Patristic fathers of the first several centuries of Christianity. This is historical theology and I think we need more historical theology, especially in the Evangelical church world. I think he makes his point well in most areas. Modern language has altered the idea of personhood and substance so the patristic understanding of their language is very different than the way that modern readers understand the trinitarian descriptions of the Nicene Creed and other creedal statements.

What I was not convinced of is that Augustine and the Eastern trinitarian writers were in fundamental agreement. If it is true, then Holmes is right and modern work on the trinity focusing on its social aspects if fundamentally different. If Holmes is wrong, and the East were more focused on social interaction of the trinity then his thesis breaks down and modern trinitarian theology is an expansion of eastern Patristics, not a fundamentally different theology.

This is a book well worth reading if you are looking into the historical theology of the Trinity. It is technical. I have never used my Kindle dictionary and wikipedia look up function so much as with this book. Holmes clearly is familiar with the subject and far smarter than I am.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-quest-for-the-trinity/