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There has been a recent revival of interest in the doctrine of divine simplicity in systematic and philosophical theology, following decades of intense reflection on the tri-personhood of the Christian God. While recent studies have produced a greater appreciation of patristic and scholastic theologies, they have not yet engaged in dialogue with proponents of the trinitarian revival that emerged in the latter half of the twentieth century in anything other than polemical terms. This book offers a theological defense of the doctrine of divine simplicity through careful reading of both exemplary historical theologians and Robert W. Jenson, an important American contributor to the trinitarian revival. After tracing continuities and discontinuities amongst select historical theologians, the book approaches Jenson with a multivalent account of divine simplicity. The result is a more nuanced interpretation of Jenson's theology, an account of divine simplicity that responds to perceived problems, and new constructive proposals for divine simplicity in trinitarian theology.
Report
"This study is an outstanding exposition of Jenson's doctrine of God. It is also a deeply stimulating reflection on the ongoing relevance of the concept of divine simplicity."
Stephen A. Long, Theological Studies 83,3 (2022), 479.
"This book ... moves toward a more nuanced understanding of modern trinitarianism and its continuities with ancient doctrine. Using simplicity as a test case is bold because of its abstractness and apparent lack of practical value. Showing that Jenson's more self-consciously scriptural doctrine of God rests on the principle of simplicity may disclose practical applications so far unexploited."
John Hoyum, Lutheran Quarterly 36 (2022), 358.
"No blunt tool, Platter evokes the rich variety of ways in which divine simplicity can support doctrine. His careful reading of Jenson is critically sympathetic, showing how even simplicity's greatest sceptics utilise and benefit from a version of it, however malleable or understated."
Stephen Wright, Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, UK.
