Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son

For much of his career as a Reformer John Calvin was involved in trinitarian controversy. Not only did these controversies span his career, but his opponents ranged across the spectrum of theological approaches-from staunch traditionalists to radical antitrinitarians. Remarkably, the heart of Calvin's argument, and the heart of others' criticism, remained the same throughout: Calvin claimed that the only-begotten Son of the Father is also, as the one true God, 'of himself'.

In Calvin, Classical Trinitarianism, and the Aseity of the Son Brannon Ellis explains the historical significance and explores the theological implications of Calvin's complex solidarity with the classical tradition in his approach to thinking and speaking of the Triune God. Ellis contends that Calvin's approach, rather than an alternative to classical trinitarianism, is actually most consistent with this tradition's own fundamental commitments regarding the ineffable generation of God from God.