Trinity and Religious Pluralism The Doctrine of the Trinity in Christian Theology of Religions

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most distinguishing marks of Christian faith. This is the first book to present an overview of the role of the Trinity in Christian theology in relation to religious pluralism and other religions. Approaching the study of the relationship between Christianity and other religions from the perspective of the Trinity, this book surveys all the major contributions to the topic by leading theologians at the international and ecumenical level. Veli-Matti Karkkainen points to future challenges and areas in need of development, examining in detail a case study exploring how the Catholic Church has responded to Islam from the perspective of the Trinity. Students of theology and religious studies will find this an invaluable text for courses that discuss religious pluralism and Christianity's relation to other religions. Pastors, other Christian workers, and academics will also find it a handy reference tool for teaching and further study.

Contents: Introduction: the doctrine of the Trinity and the challenge of religious pluralism. Part I The Uniqueness of the Christian Trinitarian Faith as the End of the Dialogue: Karl Barth: the Trinity as the distinguished mark of the Christian God. Part II The Potential and Critical Function of the Christian Trinitarian Faith in the Dialogue With Other Religions: Karl Rahner: Trinity and 'anonymous Christianity'; Jacques Dupuis: a trinitarian theology of religious pluralism; Gavin D'Costa: a 'Catholic' trinitarian theology of religions; Wolfhart Pannenberg: the trinitarian faith as the resource for the common search for the truth; Clark Pinnock: a pneumato-trinitarian theology of religions. Part III The Christian Trinitarian Faith as an Embrace Of Pluralism: John Hick: the doctrine of the Trinity as problematic; Raimundo Panikkar: the cosmotheandric trinitarian mystery; S. Mark Heim: a trinitarian theology of religious ends. Part IV A Case Study in Trinitarian Theology of Religions: The Roman Catholic Church's trinitarian doctrine and the monotheism of Islam. Conclusion: toward a Trinitarian theology of religions; Bibliography; Index.

Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen