A Study of the Trinitarian Theology of Catherine Mowry LaCugna with Particular Reference to Her Understanding of God as Transcendent by Margaret Anne Campbell BMus, GradDipLib, MDiv(Hons) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Divinity 2017 Abstract Catherine Mowry LaCugna expresses concern, in her 1991 book God for Us, that the doctrine of the Trinity has become irrelevant to Christian life due to a focus on speculation concerning the intra-divine relations at the expense of soteriology. She looks to ‘re-conceive’ the doctrine, firstly, by offering a model which calls for the essential unity and correspondence of oikonomia and theologia; secondly, by developing an ontology of persons in communion; and thirdly, by recasting the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo as creation ex amore. In doing so she attracts criticism from theologians who suggest she strays perilously close to pantheism. In this thesis, LaCugna’s understanding of the triune God’s transcendence is explored, evaluated and defended, through five approaches. The first is a study of several of her early articles, bringing some of her ideas on analogy, apophaticism, metaphor, doxology and the theological model into the discussion. The second is an exploration of the themes of divine freedom, necessity and pantheism, in dialogue with four figures discussed by or associated with LaCugna – Plotinus, Eriugena, Bonaventure and Aquinas. An examination of her use of the Neo-platonic model of emanation and return and of the ‘walking God’ metaphor is followed by an appraisal of critics including Colin Gunton and Thomas Weinandy. The fifth enquiry involves a study of LaCugna’s theology in the light of Kathryn Tanner’s radical view of divine transcendence. I argue that while some of her more sweeping statements on the God-world relation appear problematic, LaCugna’s expression of the Christian belief in divine transcendence remains sound. Taking her claim that ‘our understanding of the economic and immanent trinities gains by being articulated in several different modes of discourse’ as an invitation, I explore some of the modes with which she engages, seeking to shed further light on her nuanced and compelling vision of the living God. ii Declaration of Originality I, Margaret Anne Campbell, declare that this thesis is my own work. It has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma at any tertiary educational institution. iii Acknowledgements I would like to record my respect and admiration for the late Catherine Mowry LaCugna whose trinitarian theology has inspired me for over a decade, and continues to do so. Thank you to my Principal Supervisor Christiaan Mostert who, early in my studies, delivered wonderful lectures on ‘The Triune God’ and introduced me to Catherine LaCugna’s writing. I have been privileged to have him as a Supervisor and am grateful for his academic advice and for his care. Sincere appreciation goes also to my Associate Supervisor Geoff Thompson who graciously agreed to come on board for my final year. The support from both supervisors has been invaluable. Thank you to the University of Divinity’s Director of Research John McDowell and to Research Services Officer Suman Kashyap. I am grateful to have received an Australian Postgraduate Award which has enabled me to study full-time for the final two years of the degree. Stephen Connelly and Sabine Voermans of the Dalton McCaughey Library have provided excellent assistance, as has Research Co-ordinator at Pilgrim Theological College, Fotini Toso. I thank them, along with other staff, faculty members and students of Pilgrim and of the former United Faculty of Theology. My gratitude also goes to my dear friends Julie and Katrina, to mentors and past colleagues in pastoral care at Cabrini Health, Monash Medical Centre and Caulfield Hospital, to my Clinical Pastoral Education Unit Supervisors, and to many supportive fellow pilgrims at Burwood Uniting Church. My sister Rachel has been a sympathetic and greatly appreciated US email correspondent. I thank her and my brother David, their partners Don and Samantha, my brother-in-law Graeme and sister-in-law Anne, and my nieces and nephews for their love. My husband John has given me reassurance, insightful advice and unconditional love over many years. I am very fortunate to have such a caring and good-humoured partner. Our children Stephen and Elizabeth have been very supportive of my endeavours and have grown into beautiful young adults during the course of my study. Thank you, John, Stephen and Elizabeth for living, without complaint, through these four years of research and writing. I remember with gratitude my late father Ray Schmidt who, though very ill in the early stages of my theological study, encouraged me as I took those first tentative steps. My mother Elvie has been an immensely valued companion throughout this testing yet wonderful journey. Her faith, love of language, giftedness as a writer, and steadfast support has helped me more than I can say. I dedicate this thesis to her. Finally, I give thanks and praise to God. iv Table of Contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... ii Declaration of Originality ...................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. iv Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One: Mapping the Journey Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 7 Overview of God for Us and Selected Journal Articles .................................................... 7 Three Themes.................................................................................................................. 10 Locating LaCugna within the Wider Trinitarian Debate ................................................ 14 Conversation Partners on Theological Language ........................................................... 27 Structure and Methodology............................................................................................. 33 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter Two: Catherine LaCugna’s Theology of Salvation, Personhood and Creation Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 36 Theme 1: Oikonomia as a Chiastic Model of Emanation and Return............................. 37 Theme 2: The Mystery of Divine-Human Communion ................................................. 51 Theme 3: Creation ex nihilo and Creation ex amore ...................................................... 61 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 68 Chapter Three: Catherine LaCugna and Language Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 70 Apophaticism .................................................................................................................. 72 Analogy ........................................................................................................................... 75 Metaphor ......................................................................................................................... 77 Model .............................................................................................................................. 79 Ramsey and the Qualified Model ................................................................................... 87 Doxology......................................................................................................................... 93 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 102 v Chapter Four: Catherine LaCugna and the God-World Relation: Connections with Pre-Modern Thought Introduction ................................................................................................................... 104 Plotinus ......................................................................................................................... 105 John Scotus Eriugena .................................................................................................... 111 Saint Bonaventure ......................................................................................................... 116 Saint Thomas Aquinas .................................................................................................. 128 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 139 Chapter Five: Catherine LaCugna, Model and Metaphor: A Conversation with Her Critics Introduction ................................................................................................................... 141 The Neo-Platonic Model of Emanation and Return ..................................................... 142 A ‘Walking God’