Metaphysics and the Tri-Personal God. By William Hasker.

Abstract

A nyone wishing a scripturally attentive, historically informed, theologically careful presentation of what is arguably an orthodox doctrine of the Trinity should read this book. Aware of the discussions by contemporary theologians and philosophers who constitute the new wave of thinkers who have rightly again recognized the centrality of Trinitarian doctrine, Hasker has placed himself in the forefront among those who present and defend robust Trinitarian doctrine. His discussion is clear and he sweeps no difficulties under the rug. He defends the doctrine of the begetting of the Son and the dual proceeding of the Holy Spirit. He is well known for holding that God is everlasting rather than timeless, and he rejects the doctrine of divine simplicity, so he probably will be denied the title ‘fully orthodox’ by some, though showing the defects of his theological arguments for his positions will tax the talents of his critics. He offers incisive commentary on crucial portions of the pivotal fourth-century discussions, turns his attention to theologians Barth, Rahner, Moltmann, and Zizioulas, then to philosophers Leftow, van Inwagen, Brower, Rea, Craig, Swinburne, and Yandell, and sifts and winnows his way to his own position. He makes use of the idea of a shared individual nature to establish a single divine nature and the relation of constitution (e.g. between a statue and its composing clay), agreeing with Aquinas that on earth individual natures cannot be shared but they can be in heaven. One need not love every element in this theological structure to learn much from it. It is a splendid work of devoted theological scholarship.