The Doctrine of the Trinity
The Candler Foundry in partnership with Fountain City UMC.
Course Information
Course Dates: September 28 - October 26
Course Time: Wednesdays 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET (online)
Course Description
The Trinity is arguably the central doctrine of the Christian church, shaping its worship life in baptism, prayer, and confession. And yet few doctrines seem more confusing or less relevant to the daily life of faith. Christians who speak clearly and confidently about creation, the love of Jesus, and the promise of the kingdom often stumble when trying to explain what it means to say that God is Trinity - or why it matters.
This course will review the history and development of trinitarian doctrine, its content, significance for the Christian faith, and how it can be explained without any reference to three-leaf clovers.
For more information, please email our Coordinator of Courses in the Community, Damellys Sacriste, at candlerfoundry@emory.edu.
Pitts Theology Library Digital Resource Access
All registered participants in the Courses in the Community program have access to select Pitts Theology Library resources. These resources can be used to research topics, authors, or areas of interest from class discussions. Please click on the link below to be taken to the library access portal. If you need assistance, please contact Cristha Edwards, Coordinator of Digital Initiatives, at candlerfoundry@emory.edu.
Username:doctrineofthetrinityfall22
Password: foundryaccess10262022
Meet the Instructor: Dr. Ian McFarland
Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Theology
Dr. Ian A. McFarland returned to Candler in 2019 after four years serving as Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. Prior to that, he was on the faculty at Candler from 2005–2015, where he was the inaugural holder of the Bishop Mack B. and Rose Stokes Chair of Theology and served as Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs.
McFarland's research has focused on Christology, eschatology, theological anthropology, and the doctrine of creation. His interests also include the use of the Bible in theology, the relationship between theology and science, and the thought of Maximus the Confessor. McFarland is the sole author of six books and has edited or contributed to numerous other books and journals.
If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to reach out to Dr. McFarland at ian.mcfarland@emory.edu.