A Critical Reading of the Development of Raimon Panikkar's Thought on the Trinity

This book traces the Trinitarian thought of Raimon Panikkar in his attempt to bridge the gap between Christianity and the world religions. The viewpoints of the early and later Panikkar show continuity and shifts in his Trinitarian theology. The early Panikkar provides a Trinitarian theology and reaches the heart of the world religions, especially the Advaita Vedanta experience in Hinduism and the Nirvana experience of Buddhism. The later Panikkar, still using many of the probing concepts of his earlier thought, departs significantly from traditional Christian theology. His thoughts still continue the attempt at bridge-building between Christianity on the one hand and the world religions, and even the secular world, on the other. Although several dimensions of Panikkar's Trinitarian theology are open to severe criticism, nevertheless, it serves as an effective tool for furthering awareness of and dialogue between the world religions.