Gregory J. Liston

Trinitarian in its foundation, pneumatological in its impetus, and comprehensive in its scope, Third Article Theology (TAT) is both a method and a theology. As a method, TAT intentionally views reality through the lens of the Spirit. As a theology, the insights that arise from an approach that prioritizes pneumatology are deep and rich, offering a penetrating vision into today's central and defining theological issues. This volume introduces the reader to the methodology of TAT and some of the many theological insights that have arisen from its utilization. Further, it provides the tools and techniques to invite and inform the reader to participate in the efficient and pastoral exercise of viewing reality from a pneumatological perspective, to catch a vision of the world as infused with the power, presence, and potential of the Spirit, and to lead their lives accordingly. Designed for classroom use, it includes several pedagogical features such as case studies engaging with critical areas of contemporary concern.

Trinitarian in its foundation, pneumatological in its impetus, and comprehensive in its scope, Third Article Theology (TAT) is both a method and a theology. As a method, TAT intentionally views reality through the lens of the Spirit. As a theology, the insights that arise from an approach that prioritizes pneumatology are deep and rich, offering a penetrating vision into today's central and defining theological issues. This volume introduces the reader to the methodology of TAT and some of the many theological insights that have arisen from its utilization. Further, it provides the tools and techniques to invite and inform the reader to participate in the efficient and pastoral exercise of viewing reality from a pneumatological perspective, to catch a vision of the world as infused with the power, presence, and potential of the Spirit, and to lead their lives accordingly. Designed for classroom use, it includes several pedagogical features such as case studies engaging with critical areas of contemporary concern.

Engaging eschatology as a pivotal vantage point, this book utilizes the methodology of Third Article Theology to examine the intrinsically pneumatological relationship between the Church and the coming kingdom. The overarching thesis developed is that exploring the relationship between Church and kingdom through the lens of the Spirit enables the construction of a nuanced account of the Church’s ongoing transformation, an eschatological Third Article Ecclesiology. The Church, as pictured in this volume, is the proleptic anticipation of the coming kingdom. Through enabling Christ’s kingly presence, the Spirit draws back to the present Church characteristics of the coming kingdom. This enriches, influences, and transforms the present Church towards its intended telos.

Engaging eschatology as a pivotal vantage point, this book utilizes the methodology of Third Article Theology to examine the intrinsically pneumatological relationship between the Church and the coming kingdom. The overarching thesis developed is that exploring the relationship between Church and kingdom through the lens of the Spirit enables the construction of a nuanced account of the Church’s ongoing transformation, an eschatological Third Article Ecclesiology. The Church, as pictured in this volume, is the proleptic anticipation of the coming kingdom. Through enabling Christ’s kingly presence, the Spirit draws back to the present Church characteristics of the coming kingdom. This enriches, influences, and transforms the present Church towards its intended telos.

The phrase Third Article Theology is used in two senses: first, to characterize a methodological approach that intentionally starts with the Spirit, and second, as the theological understanding that emerges from this approach. Over recent decades, Spirit Christology has utilized the approach of Third Article Theology to gain significant insight into the person and life of Christ. The Anointed Church extends this work, providing the first constructive and systematic ecclesiology developed through the approach of Third Article Theology. Gregory J. Liston argues that a pneumatological lens irreducibly informs the connection between other theological doctrines and ecclesiology. Utilizing this insight, the Church is examined from the vantage points of Christology and the Trinity through such a pneumatological lens. The constituent features of a Third Article Ecclesiology developed in this manner are compared and contrasted with critical evaluations of ecclesiological understandings developed through alternative approaches, particularly those of Barth, Zizioulas, and Volf.