The Church As the Image of the Trinity: A Critical Evaluation of Miroslav Volf's Ecclesial Model

Description: A resurgence of Trinitarian interest gained momentum in the twentieth century and it is showing little sign of abating in the twenty-first century. This research endeavors to critically evaluate Miroslav Volf''s ecclesial model for ""the church as the image of the Trinity,"" one that he presents with the English title, After Our Likeness. Volf proposes a social doctrine of the Trinity, one that is heavily influenced by the theological writings of Jurgen Moltmann, and he puts forward that this nonhierarchical Trinity should be reflected in the structures and theology of the church. If Volf is correct, then a radical reshaping is needed for the church to conform to an egalitarian pattern, one that is ""after the likeness"" (Gen 1:26) of an egalitarian God. In this critical examination, Kevin J. Bidwell begins by stating the theological influences that are pertinent to Volf''s thesis in After Our Likeness and the assumptions that undergird and inform his whole theological paradigm. An important theological excursus is offered to assess the theology of John Smyth, the first English Baptist, who is Volf''s representative figure for the location of his own ecclesiology, the Free Church. A critical analysis follows of Volf''s engagement with his two chosen dialogue partners who represent both Western and Eastern theological traditions: Joseph Ratzinger and John D. Zizioulas. Volf presents five theses for ""the church as the image of the Trinity,"" which could be labeled as Volf''s Free Church in the image of Volf''s revised doctrine of the Trinity. This monograph offers extensive insight into the contemporary debate on the doctrine of the Trinity, but it also assesses many aspects of ecclesiology from both Eastern and Western perspectives. Endorsements: As one who has taught on The Holy Trinity for many years in my seminary classes, and has written on the subject from time to time, I am particularly pleased with Kevin Bidwell''s The Church as the Image of the Trinity: A Critical Evaluation of Miroslav Volf''s Ecclesial Model. He certainly gets to a major point of discussion in current thought on the relation of Trinity, humankind in general, and church in particular. In so doing he has dealt fairly and with much clarity on such leading academic writers on this subject as Moltmann, Pannenberg, LaCugna nad especially Miroslav Volf. Bidwell knows well both Easten and Western strands of thought on this all-important and complex subject. I think that he is right in seeing the tripersonal nature of God as the basis of human personhood and the very structure of the Christian Church. He explores with judiciousness, and constant reference to the teachings of the Holy Scriptures on the Trinity, and its implications for our creational and redeemed life in community. His range of reading is immense, but always coherent; always coming back to the crucial points. This volume could usefully serve as a text book in various seminaries and divinity faculties of universities. It will introduce students (and professors) to the most significant work on the matter over the last fifty years. I definitely plan to use it in my classes. Douglas F. Kelly Professor of Systematic Theology Reformed Theological Seminary at Charlotte, North Carolina ""Miroslav Volf has had a profound impact on contemporary discussions on the doctrine of the Trinity, and its significance for contemporary ecclesiology. Kevin Bidwell''s book provides the first comprehensive evaluation of his approach to these topics, which impresses by his unbiased critical discussion of Volf''s ecclesiological egalitarianism."" -Johannes Hoff Lecturer in Systematic Theology & Philosophy University of Wales: Trinity Saint David ""This book by Kevin Bidwell represents a major, original contribution to contemporary Trinitarian theology. His contribution lies in a critical engagement with Miroslav Volf''s social understanding of the Trinity, Moltmann''s influence on Volf, the adaptation of the"