A Constructive Trinitarian Theology of the First Article for the Religiously Pluralistic and Secular World

Abstract

Abstract Even laypersons, such as systematic theologians, who are not trained in law enforcement are familiar enough with crime investigation to know that the detective works circles around a few simple questions such as: Who committed the crime? What happened? How was the crime executed? Why did the criminal do what he or she did? In the first part of my essay, as a way of introducing the nature, “method,” and distinctive features as well as the motifs behind the five-volume constructive theology, I will follow that simple template. The second major part will zoom in on the given task of this essay, namely, the theology of the first article of the creed, the doctrine of God. As the distinctive Christian conception of God is trinitarian by its very nature, that discussion in its form and content is thoroughly triune. Consequently, my main argument comes in two successive steps. First, the first-article theology—similarly to the second- and third-article theologies, respectively—is trinitarian. Second, its distinctive feature in comparison to the second- and third-article theologies is that the works of the triune God are considered and investigated from the perspective of what the Father, alongside Son and Spirit, is doing in the world.