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Document Details :

Title: The Diversity and Unity of God in Novatians De Trinitate
Author(s): DUNN, Geoffrey D.
Journal: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
Volume: 78    Issue: 4   Date: Dec. 2002   
Pages: 385-409
DOI: 10.2143/ETL.78.4.598

Abstract :
Sometimes the generalisations in systematic theology, particularly in populist or summary presentations but not exclusively so, are more of a hindrance than a help. The appeal of the formulaic mantra is obvious, but the danger that it contains is ever present. One may forget that the summary exists to help interpret the evidence and be tempted instead to make the evidence fit the summary. Failure to resist this temptation may result in an unrefined and inaccurate theology. For example, when attention is turned to Patristic theology, one sometimes finds statements to the effect that, with regards to the Trinity, the starting point of Eastern theology was the threeness or diversity of God and the starting point of Western theology was the oneness or unity of God.

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