The Trinitarian Theology of Thomas Aquinas

Dr. Lane G. Tipton offers a sustained exposition of the Trinitarian structure of Thomas Aquinas's theology, emphasizing that his entire body of work is governed by the concept of exitus (departure) and reditus (return) in the context of divine and human processions.

Format

Online
Course

Duration

5 hours, and 46 minutes

Subtitles Included

English

Price

$97
Free

Course Overview

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Dr. Lane G. Tipton offers a sustained exposition of the Trinitarian structure of Thomas Aquinas’s theology. The central thesis guiding this entire course is that for Thomas Aquinas, all of theology is essentially theology proper, structured around and governed by his Trinitarian doctrine of exitus (departure) and reditus (return). Specifically, Thomas conceives the eternal processions of the Son and Spirit from the Father in the Trinity (exitus) as the exemplary cause and reason for the temporal procession of rational creatures in creation (exitus). Likewise, the return (reditus) of the Son and Spirit to the Father in the Trinity is the exemplary cause for the return of rational creatures to God through deifying, elevating grace (reditus). Thus, Trinitarian theology focused on the eternal processions and missions of the divine persons shapes and frames Thomas’s entire theological system. It serves as the conceptual architecture linking God’s works ad intra in himself and his works ad extra in relation to creatures. Every doctrinal locus in Thomas—from the Trinity to creation to eschatology—is ultimately structured around the eternal processions and temporal missions of the Son and Spirit that enable the creature’s gracious return to participation in the divine life.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand the central thesis of Thomas Aquinas’s Trinitarian theology, specifically the exitus-reditus structure and its implications for his overall theological system.
Analyze Thomas Aquinas’s doctrines of the eternal processions of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and how they serve as the framework for his understanding of divine and human relations.
Employ Reformed Trinitarianism and covenant theology to offer the beginnings of a totalizing critique of Roman Catholic sacerdotalism.
Evaluate, through the lens of Reformed confessional orthodoxy, the theological coherence of Aquinas’s integration of Trinitarian theology with creation and grace.

Resources and Information

Accreditation
Course Materials
Certification

Reformed Forum is an approved provider of Continuing Education Units through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). As of 10/03/2024, this course is approved by ACSI for 5.77 Educational CEUs. Take this course for ACSI CEU credit.

Course Diagrams

Calvinistic Trinitarianism Q and A

Each lesson concludes with a brief quiz, which will assist you in assessing your progress. The questions are multiple choice or true/false. Each question is designed to reinforce basic points of the lectures and to provide a means of self-assessment.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have the option to download a certificate of completion on the main course page.

Course Lessons

Your Teacher

Patrick Jones - Course author

Lane G. Tipton

Dr. Lane G. Tipton is pastor of Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Easton, Pennsylvania and Fellow of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Reformed Forum.

The Trinitarian Theology of Thomas Aquinas

Dr. Lane G. Tipton offers a sustained exposition of the Trinitarian structure of Thomas Aquinas's theology, emphasizing that his entire body of work is governed by the concept of exitus (departure) and reditus (return) in the context of divine and human processions.

Format

Online
Course

Duration

5 hours, and 46 minutes

Subtitles Included

English

Price

$97
Free