Overview

The essential argument of this new work by Andrew Robinson is that we live, move and have our being within a sea of signs, but that we are largely unaware of this for most of the time. When the structure of these signs is analysed it turns out to rest on three recurring 'elemental grounds', which the author calls Quality, Otherness and Mediation. The kaleidoscopic, ramifying patterns of Quality, Otherness and Meditation which underpin representations and interpretations at every level and dimension of the processes of signification offer a model of the dynamic mutual indwelling of the Father, Son and Spirit within the eternal life of the Trinity. This 'semiotic model' of the Trinity would be of rather limited interest in itself unless it can also illuminate other areas of Christian theology. Robinson suggests that the model leads to a helpful way of understanding how the entirely human person Jesus of Nazareth may be understood to have been the full and perfect embodiment (representation) of the quality of God's being. This in turn helps us to understand how the processes of representation and interpretation enable us to be drawn into the very life of God. This has practical implications for the church and for the individual lives of Christian believers. It also offers, via a re-articulation of the neglected concept of vestiges of the Trinity in creation, a form of 'spirituality of the everyday'.

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Reviews

Once in a decade, at most, one encounters a fundamentally new and exciting way of conceiving the Trinity. Traces of the Trinity is such a work. Even rarer are trinitarian theologies that arise out of cutting edge science (in this case, biosemiotics). Scientists, philosophers, and theologians will recognize the immensely rich interweaving of ideas that Robinson accomplishes here. But you won't need a PhD to feel the spiritual tug of this vision ... of vestigial marks written into the very structure of Creation. Philip Clayton, Author of 'Adventures in the Spirit' In this highly accessible book, Robinson opens up the depth and relevance of biblical texts and traditional Christian dogmas. He shows how religion is deeply embedded in the very structure of human existence in all its ordinariness: how God is involved with our reality and we are involved with God's. Robinson writes with admirable clarity ... I could not put the book down. Jan-Olav Henriksen, Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo

Once in a decade, at most, one encounters a fundamentally new and exciting way of conceiving the Trinity. 'Traces of the Trinity' is such a work. Even rarer are trinitarian theologies that arise out of cutting edge science (in this case, biosemiotics). Scientists, philosophers, and theologians will recognize the immensely rich interweaving of ideas that Robinson accomplishes here. But you won't need a PhD to feel the spiritual tug of this vision ... of vestigial marks written into the very structure of Creation. Philip Clayton, Author of 'Adventures in the Spirit' In this highly accessible book, Robinson opens up the depth and relevance of biblical texts and traditional Christian dogmas. He shows how religion is deeply embedded in the very structure of human existence in all its ordinariness: how God is involved with our reality and we are involved with God's. Robinson writes with admirable clarity ... I could not put the book down. Jan-Olav Henriksen, Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo It is a book for all, especially, those with a keen interest on semiotics. -Stanley Okeke, The Expository Times, Vol. 127 No. 6, March 2016 ...a lucid and accessible account of the purpose and nature of signs as explored by the American philosopher C.S. Peirce (1839-1914). ...From this starting-point, Robinson rolls out a series of impressive reflections on subjects such as the nature of the Church and its ministry. -Revd Dr Edward Dowler, Church Times, 9 October 2015 [Andrew Robinson] combines technical sophistication with clear prose accessible to nonspecialists as well as specialists. -Hans Gustafson, Theological Studies, Vol 76, No. 3, 2015

Once in a decade, at most, one encounters a fundamentally new and exciting way of conceiving the Trinity. 'Traces of the Trinity' is such a work. Even rarer are trinitarian theologies that arise out of cutting edge science (in this case, biosemiotics). Scientists, philosophers, and theologians will recognize the immensely rich interweaving of ideas that Robinson accomplishes here. But you won't need a PhD to feel the spiritual tug of this vision ... of vestigial marks written into the very structure of Creation. Philip Clayton, Author of 'Adventures in the Spirit' In this highly accessible book, Robinson opens up the depth and relevance of biblical texts and traditional Christian dogmas. He shows how religion is deeply embedded in the very structure of human existence in all its ordinariness: how God is involved with our reality and we are involved with God's. Robinson writes with admirable clarity ... I could not put the book down. Jan-Olav Henriksen, Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo

"Once in a decade, at most, one encounters a fundamentally new and exciting way of conceiving the Trinity. 'Traces of the Trinity' is such a work. Even rarer are trinitarian theologies that arise out of cutting edge science (in this case, biosemiotics). Scientists, philosophers, and theologians will recognize the immensely rich interweaving of ideas that Robinson accomplishes here. But you won't need a PhD to feel the spiritual tug of this vision ... of vestigial marks written into the very structure of Creation. Philip Clayton, Author of 'Adventures in the Spirit' In this highly accessible book, Robinson opens up the depth and relevance of biblical texts and traditional Christian dogmas. He shows how religion is deeply embedded in the very structure of human existence in all its ordinariness: how God is involved with our reality and we are involved with God's. Robinson writes with admirable clarity ... I could not put the book down. Jan-Olav Henriksen, Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo ""It is a book for all, especially, those with a keen interest on semiotics."" -Stanley Okeke, The Expository Times, Vol. 127 No. 6, March 2016 ""...a lucid and accessible account of the purpose and nature of signs as explored by the American philosopher C.S. Peirce (1839-1914). ...From this starting-point, Robinson rolls out a series of impressive reflections on subjects such as the nature of the Church and its ministry."" -Revd Dr Edward Dowler, Church Times, 9 October 2015 ""[Andrew Robinson] combines technical sophistication with clear prose accessible to nonspecialists as well as specialists."" -Hans Gustafson, Theological Studies, Vol 76, No. 3, 2015 ""...Robinson succeeds brilliantly in setting forth his case in a clear, conversational manner accessible to a broad audience of interested readers."" -Nathan G. Wheeler, Theological Book Review, Vol. 26 No. 2, 2015"

Author Information

Dr Andrew Robinson is Honorary University Fellow in Theology at the University of Exeter. He is the author of 'God and the World of Signs: Trinity, Evolution and the Metaphysical Semiotics of C.S. Peirce.' and editor of 'Darwinism and Natural Theology: Evolving Perspectives.' In 2011 he was elected to membership of the International Society for Science and Religion in recognition of his work on the application of semiotics to Christian theology. In parallel with his theological work he continues to practice medicine in Newton Abbot, Devon.

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