Trinity, history – and discernment
Date
2013-02
Authors
Smit, D. J.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch University, Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology
Abstract
The paper is an edited version of a public address during a consultation celebrating
the life and work of CW (Coenie) Burger. The theme was discernment and this essay
reflects on some possible implications of the doctrine of the Trinity for practical
discernment in the so-called missional church today. In a first section, a controversial
South African incident serves as reminder of the difficulties and dangers involved in
claims discerning God’s presence and work in human history. Sections two to four
successively call to mind three major proposals regarding discernment based on the
presence of the living God (Richard Niebuhr), the revelation of God in the Crucified
Jesus (Bram van de Beek) and the work of the Triune God (Michael Welker). A final
section briefly considers the recent contribution of the Italian philosopher Giorgio
Agamben, who argues that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity indeed provides
the only proper background against which to understand Western developments in
politics and the economy.
Description
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/pub
The original publication is available at http://ngtt.journals.ac.za/pub
Keywords
Discernment (Christian theology), Burger, C. W., Durand, J. J. F., Beek, A. van de., Welker, Michael, 1947-, Agamben, Giorgio, 1942-
Citation
Smit, D.J. 2013. Trinity, history - and discernment. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif, 53(3&4):337-352, doi:10.5952/53-3&4-273.