Khaled Anatolios, reading Augustine’s De Trinitate, remarked that Trinitarian doctrine is “a global interpretation of reality”. That quote kicks ass. Also captures the direction of Augustine’s argument pretty well. The Christian’s interpretation of everything, of himself, of social relations, of love, must take Trinitarian shape and assume Trinitarian grammar because the God who is is Trinity.

Afterthought: if you’re one of the fools still peddling nonsense like “goo-goo ga-ga, Augustine imported Greco-Roman philosophical metaphysics and Hellenized the Christian God”, stop that, you big revisionist baby. Stop reading Harnack. Read the Bible. Read Augustine.

The presumption involved in reviewing this book is only surpassed that involved in the critical evaluations I have had to write on it for a postgraduate course in Augustine's theology. So I will brief and generous, that latter of which I also accomplished in my reading reports. Anyone who has read a decent systematic or dogmatic theology will be well aware of the indelible and immense impact Augustine has had. But to read him and see much of the language we still use today in theological discussion, sometimes only in kernel form, is remarkable. I could say much more but I will leave you with the most impressive aspect of Augustine's work, which more theologians would do well to emulate today: prayerful humility. Augustine was not primarily concerned about defending his position or deconstructing his opposition's; his pursuit was the truest possible knowledge of God we can have this side of seeing him face to face

Excellent work. The first seven chapters are definitely the strong point of the book. Augustine is a careful exegete, considering what Scripture teaches about the Trinity. I was particularly helped and provoked by his consideration of the possible theophanies in Scripture with the revelation of God as invisible in 1 Tim. 1:17.

The second half is more philosophical. Augustine looks for parallels to the Trinity within the nature and then mind of a man. Those sections were interesting, but merely in an abstract, philosophizing way. But even in those chapters that often felt more tedious, there were flashes of greatness-- an excursus on how the incarnation and crucifixion defeated the devil, explaining why the Spirit is not described as begotten by the Father and Son, on the unity and distinction within the Trinity.

Hard work, but pays off.

The essential work of Christian theology on the Doctrine of the Trinity. Augustine argues that because we are created in God's image, our selves, our minds, are essentially trinitarian.