View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by St Andrews Research Repository THE ROLE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY IN THE THEOLOGY OF STANLEY J. GRENZ Jason S. Sexton A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2012 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/3025 This item is protected by original copyright This item is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence University of St. Andrews St. Mary’s College The Role of the Doctrine of the Trinity in the Theology of Stanley J. Grenz A thesis submitted by Jason S. Sexton To the Faculty of Divinity In candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy St. Andrews, Scotland March 2012 Thesis Declaration I, Jason Scott Sexton, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 80,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. I was admitted as a research student in September, 2008 and as a candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology in May, 2009; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St Andrews between 2008 and 2011. Date ____________ Signature of candidate _________________________ I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology in the University of St Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. Date ____________ Signature of supervisor _________________________ Copyright In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and the abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker, that my thesis will be electronically accessible for personal or research use unless exempt by award of an embargo as requested below, and that the library has the right to migrate my thesis into new electronic forms as required to ensure continued access to the thesis. I have obtained any third- party copyright permissions that may be required in order to allow such access and migration, or have requested the appropriate embargo below. The following is an agreed request by candidate and supervisor regarding the electronic publication of this thesis: Access to all of printed copy but embargo of all of electronic publication of thesis for a period of five years on the following ground(s): publication would preclude future publication. Date ____________ Signature of candidate _________________________ Date ____________ Signature of supervisor _________________________ Abstract This thesis provides an examination into the primary features in the theology of one of the turn of the century’s leading evangelical theologians, Stanley J. Grenz. It begins by establishing the controversial nature of Grenz’s project within evangelical theology, and how his aims were misread by a number of evangelical scholars. It then argues that the primary feature in his writings was the doctrine of the Trinity, giving shape to his methodology, theology, and ethical engagement. Accordingly, this thesis identifies the most significant features he adopted and adapted from Wolfhart Pannenberg, whose influence on Grenz is readily seen. These features include not only how Grenz derived particular methodological aspects from Pannenberg (chap. 2), but also those related to the shape of his trinitarian theology itself (chap. 3). Next, while realizing that Grenz’s newfound emphasis on a trinitarian project was not placed on a tabula rasa, a wider account of his trinitarian background is considered (chap. 4), as is the particular developmental shape of his doctrine of the Trinity itself (chap. 5). Following this, an examination is made into how Grenz accessed this doctrine of the Trinity, through the imago Dei concept, informed by a theological hermeneutic, theological exegesis, and weaved through the traditional systematic loci (chap. 6). Finally, the shape of his trinitarian ethical work is considered in light of the overall coherence of his body of writings, both in its early form as a Christian ethic as well as in the test-cases that were part of his engagement (chap. 7). This is followed by a summary of the reception of Grenz’s project, which is deemed consistent with his aims of being both a distinctly evangelical and trinitarian theologian. v For one who has brought so much joy through such horrendous circumstances, bringing the reminder that the triune God of love gives the best of gifts through the most challenging trials, in the face of death and disability; having been used by God to cause me to wonder again at the Incarnation and Atonement, by which the triune God of grace will one day bring about the hope of the gospel to grant perfect communion with him and wipe away every tear; who in her thirteen month old body challenged me to depend afresh on the Author of life and the Perfecter of faith amidst tragedy and spurred me on to the completion of this thesis in a Parisian intensive care unit For Kara Elise vi Acknowledgements Theology is done in community, which has been the story of this work from beginning to end. I am grateful to the believers of sovereign grace church, an Evangelical Free church plant, and especially David Garza who supported me by letting me get away (though not totally sure why) amidst great needs in the life of a young church with an even more embryonic vision of what we believed the gospel would accomplish in California. Bo Sutherland and Randy Martin also encouraged me, as did Chad Vegas in initially articulating the importance and need of bringing serious theology to the central valley, and seeking to articulate what the church should be about in its mission in the Golden State. I have benefitted greatly from the financial support of Bob Hodel, Grant Olewiler, and Jesse Escobedo, who believed in my ministry before doctoral studies, and who continue to support in strong ways as this church planter has become a theologian. I am grateful also to the believers at SABC, our church home for the last three years, who we had the privilege to serve with in many worthwhile endeavors. Liam and Kathryn Garvie have encouraged through ministry and life trials, and in attempts to freshly articulate and live out the gospel in today’s world. We received the warmest of friends in the Hine’s, Harry’s enduring my Latin and Rosalind’s constant love for our kids, often meaning picking apples, baking, and the best time when Gran was around. Peter and Margaret Dovey, Allyson McGregor, Neill and Jane Fraser, Ross and Christine Simmons, Steve and Denise Hewitt, and Liz and Steve Holdsworth have also embraced these wandering Americans as if we were their own. Beyond our SABC friends, John and Sandra Edwards have been the most amazing neighbors we could have ever dreamed of, showering us with love amidst our busy lives. Berys and Morag Gaut also cared for us in many ways. I benefitted from the research community of St Mary’s College—R. J. Matava, David Sonju, Bruce Baker and Dru Johnson proved especially warm friends. And I benefitted from being surrounded with the most delightful minds in British evangelical theology—Alan Torrance, Trevor Hart, and Mark Elliott. Kendall Soulen provided encouragement during his sabbatical year. And beyond these were the prolific friends from the Tulloch room—Tim Stone, Wes Vander Lugt, Mariam Kamell, Christina Larsen, Ryan Mullins, and especially Paul Warhurst. Daily I found reprieve from academic work in the University Library, including the endless banter and friendship with Karen Hodge, and the wonderful support and encouragement from Colin Bovaird and Lynda Kinloch from the very first day I arrived at St Mary’s College. Gladstone’s Library also provided helpful writing retreats. I am grateful for the immense encouragement Edna Grenz provided for this project. She invited me into her life with Professor Grenz, and took special interest in our family, offering much more of her cheer and support than I could have ever asked for. This thesis would have been a much different project without her kind backing. Joel Grenz also encouraged me early in the project, as did John Franke, Roger Olson, Jay Smith, Bruce and Valerie Milne, Megan DeFranza, Jonathan Wilson, Myk Habets, Kent Eilers, Eric Hall, Chris Mostert, Fred Sanders, Oliver Crisp, Brian Brock, Paul Metzger, and Mark Noll. I have also been spurred on by Brian Harris and Derek Tidball, both who encouraged me far more than a young scholar could ever expect. vii Professors Paul Fiddes and Alister McGrath graciously agreed to exam this thesis. And while any mistakes remaining are completely my own, the thesis would be nowhere near as good without their thorough and probing examination, which came from many different angles. I am immensely grateful for the careful attention they gave to my work, for their rigorous examination, and their ultimately gracious affirmation of my treatment of Grenz’s writings. I could not be more grateful to these men for their perceptive reading of my work, and for their insightful and penetrating comments and corrections.