Concepts of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [Hardcover]

Matthew Alfs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1984 | ISBN-10: 0961296402 | ISBN-13: 978-0961296407

Subtitled "A Classification and Description of the Trinitarian and Non-Trinitarian Theologies Existent Within Christendom," this is a theological and historical handbook of how the variety of Christian denominations have defined and viewed God the Father, Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Detailed and penetrating, it demonstrates how Christendom's many denominations and sects have differed and even powerfully clashed in explicating this so-called "central doctrine of the Christian faith," often with heated verbal sparring and sometimes by inflicting physical violence on opposers. Objective in tone, which is rare for a work of this sort, this careful study encourages the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. Unlike apologetic works, which often quote what critics say about variant denominational theologies, this work allows the plethora of denominations to speak for themselves. The author further solicited comments from many denominational headquarters to clarify and expand upon material from their available published works. It can truly be said that no stone has been left unturned in order to provide the reader with full and complete coverage of the subject. Includes 355 references and a detailed index. Sturdy libary binding, brown cloth with gold-embossed cover illustration. 104pp.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A challenging and interesting study.... a first class religious reference work which manages to maintain a great deal of doctrinal objectivity." -- Randall R. Warren, CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLER, August 1984

"A useful analysis of different versions of Trinitarianism and Non-trinitarianism." -- Paul W. Newman, A SPIRIT CHRISTOLOGY, University Press of America, 1987, p. 196n

About the Author

Mr. Alfs has written for a variety of journals, magazines, and papers relative to Christian history and Biblical studies. A second book, published in 1991, investigated the history and sociology of an American-born religious sect. A work-in-progress deals with the relationship of Christology and Angelology in primitive Christian times. The author has been in demand as a lecturer on a variety of topics.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Old Theology Book House (July 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961296402
• ISBN-13: 978-0961296407
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,168,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Objective Survey of Trinitarian and Non-Trinitarian Concepts, October 28, 2006

By 

Edgar Foster (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Concepts of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Hardcover)

Matthew Alfs has produced a unique and objective work that illuminates both Trinitarian and Non-Trinitarian concepts of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Alfs' work is not only helpful because it clearly states the major symbola of Christendom, but the study also lucidly defines key terms of Trinitarianism. Of course, Alfs is not content to interpret Trinitarian concepts on his own; rather, he quotes profusely from those who espouse the said tenets.

Alfs provides definitions of nomenclature such as "Essence," "substance," "nature," "relation" and "subsistence" from authoritative sources. He systematically unfolds the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Trinitarian concepts. We are treated to an illuminating discussion of eternal generation as it pertains to the Son over against eternal spiration of the Holy Spirit. Alfs argues that Trinitarian dogma does not allow for subordination among the TREIS hUPOSTASEIS or TRES PERSONAE. He cites a few Catholic theologians to buttress his point.

In the second part of the study, Alfs unfolds non-Trinitarian groups. He discusses Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of God, the Unitarians, Christadelphians and other groups. His book is well-written and very objective. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Alfs' work and it has been used as a reference by this reviewer more times than I care to count. This book contains scholarly references in the back matters and an index. It is a requisite tool for exploring Trinitarian and non-Trinitarian concepts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars unique little book, January 22, 2007

By 

bookman109 (Western NY state) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Concepts of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Hardcover)

This little book (77 pages, not including index and endnotes) is a gem. In it, the author merely sets out a rough classification of different ways self-professing Christians have thought about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is not a work of philosophy, nor of theology or apologetics. It is just a refreshingly non-polemical attempt, by a serious minded and well-informed amateur, to classify ways of thinking about those Three. It is a worthly read, and is useful as a sort of reference, especially if you're not familiar with the complicated ins and outs, and tortured history of trinitarian theories. It is not at all a work of primary scholarship - it is heavily dependent on many secondary sources, most of all this one: Unitarian principles confirmed by Trinitarian testimonies; being selections from the works of eminent theologians belonging to orthodox churches. With ... and occasional remarks. By John Wilson - a late 19th century Unitarian work. As of January 07, this is available as a reprint here on Amazon. Not deep, and doesn't attempt at all to adjudicate the matter, but fair-minded and pretty accurate.