Emptiness and Presence in a Non-substantialist Formulation of Trinitarian Doctrine
A Trialogue of Madhyamika, Abe, and Torrance
In: Journal of Reformed TheologySearch for other papers by Chris Kang in
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Abstract
This paper examines the ideas of emptiness (śūnyatā) and presence (svabhāva) in the discourses of Indian Madhyamika thinkers in comparison with the work of prominent Kyoto School philosopher and key figure in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, Masao Abe (1915–2006). Madhyamika’s negative dialectic and Abe’s oeuvre are applied to the trinitarian theology of Scottish theologian and churchman Thomas Forsyth Torrance (1913–2007), even as Torrance’s oeuvre is allowed to recast and illuminate notions of emptiness in light of the trinitarian faith. In this movement of ideas, the dynamic interpretations and reinterpretations of the doctrine of emptiness by Indian thinkers are brought to bear on Abe’s thought and, in turn, on Torrance’s trinitarian theology. In this way, the metaphysical basis of trinitarian doctrine is drawn into sharper focus even as an emptiness-based, non-substantialist, onto-relational theology of the Trinity emerges as a potentially viable account of the nature of the triune Godhead.
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| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 354 | 49 | 21 |
| Full Text Views | 97 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 42 | 2 | 0 |
Emptiness and Presence in a Non-substantialist Formulation of Trinitarian Doctrine
A Trialogue of Madhyamika, Abe, and Torrance
In: Journal of Reformed TheologySearch for other papers by Chris Kang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
This paper examines the ideas of emptiness (śūnyatā) and presence (svabhāva) in the discourses of Indian Madhyamika thinkers in comparison with the work of prominent Kyoto School philosopher and key figure in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, Masao Abe (1915–2006). Madhyamika’s negative dialectic and Abe’s oeuvre are applied to the trinitarian theology of Scottish theologian and churchman Thomas Forsyth Torrance (1913–2007), even as Torrance’s oeuvre is allowed to recast and illuminate notions of emptiness in light of the trinitarian faith. In this movement of ideas, the dynamic interpretations and reinterpretations of the doctrine of emptiness by Indian thinkers are brought to bear on Abe’s thought and, in turn, on Torrance’s trinitarian theology. In this way, the metaphysical basis of trinitarian doctrine is drawn into sharper focus even as an emptiness-based, non-substantialist, onto-relational theology of the Trinity emerges as a potentially viable account of the nature of the triune Godhead.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 354 | 49 | 21 |
| Full Text Views | 97 | 0 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 42 | 2 | 0 |