The (non-)translatability of the Holy Trinity
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
This article considers the ambiguous translatability of the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The theme of the Trinity, as a central Christian doctrine, is brought into conversation with the so-called ‘translatability thesis’ regarding Christian history, which has been particularly expounded upon by Lamin Sanneh and Andrew Walls. Does the translatability of the gospel also imply the translatability of the Trinity, or is the equation not that straightforward? In answering this question, specific reference is made to early church formulation and controversy surrounding the theme, as well as attention to specific attempts at translation or interpretation in the modern and contemporary forms of Christianity. The article acknowledges the problematic nature of Trinitarian translatability and concludes that such translatability is nonetheless possible as long as a static conception of Trinitarian doctrine could be avoided.
Description
CITATION: Muller, R. 2019. The (non-)translatability of the Holy Trinity. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 75(1):a5405, doi:10.4102/hts.v75i1.5405.
The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.za
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Christianity -- Africa
Citation
Muller, R. 2019. The (non-)translatability of the Holy Trinity. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 75(1):a5405, doi:10.4102/hts.v75i1.5405