Single person Quote by William G.T. Shedd
““While this method is interesting because it makes sin and salvation the principal theme and brings Christ the Redeemer into the foreground, yet it is neither a natural nor a logical method. God incarnate is only a single person of the Godhead; redemption is only one of the works of God; and sin is an anomaly in the universe, not an original and necessary fact. The christological method, therefore, is fractional. It does not cover the whole ground. It is preferable to construct theological science upon the Trinity—to begin with the trinal nature and existence of the Godhead and then come down to his acts in incarnation and redemption. It is not logical or natural to build a science upon one of its divisions. Christology is a division in theology.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Systematic Theology, 1895
Christology should be grounded in the Trinity, not isolated concepts of sin and redemption
In simple terms: Study Christ within the Trinity, not just sin or salvation
Key Takeaway
Focus theology on the whole Trinity
Themes
theology
Trinity
Christology
Mood
scholarly
critical
Type
academic
theological
When to use this quote
- seminary coursework
- church teaching
- personal study
Key Concepts
systematic theology
doctrine development
Questions to Reflect On
- Does focusing on the Trinity simplify or complicate theological study?
- How might a non‑Trinitarian approach limit understanding?
