The Forgotten Trinity

Is the doctrine of the Trinity an irrelevance? Or is it of vital importance to the life of the churches? The BCC Study Commission on Trinitarian Doctrine Today was set up in 1983 to grapple with these questions. It was prompted to do so by the need to set the charismatic movement's witness to the Spirit in a Trinitarian context, the theological concerns of the Orthodox members of the BCC which were endorsed by its Division of Ecumenical Affairs, and recent work on this theme in the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission. The Commission believed that forgetting the Trinity had had serious consequences for the life of the church in the world. By contrast, a fresh awareness of the doctrine and its implications could lead to a renewal of worship and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a person, since 'the fulfilment of human beings is to be found in relationships in community and not in self-assertive individualism'.Three publications arose from the work of the Commission - a Report, a Study Guide and a Selection of Papers - which are combined here in a single volume for the first time. The Forgotten Trinity is frequently referred to as one of the most significant achievements of the BCC. When it first appeared, Dame Mary Tanner commented that it was 'absolutely fascinating...important, stimulating and ought to be read more widely.' And that is precisely what happened; having been read and studied by clergy, scholars and students throughout the world, this work remains as important and relevant today as it was when it appeared a generation ago. Chapters include: The Report of the BCC Study Commission on Trinitarian Doctrine Today, A Study Guide on issues contained in the Report of the BCC Study Commission on Trinitarian Doctrine Today