Book now available

My book, The Trinitarian Self, is now available for sale at http://wipfandstock.com/
Type bellinger into the search box at the lower left side and you will find it. The cost is $17.60 plus shipping.
ISBN 10: 1-55635-232-8; ISBN 13: 978-1-55635-232-4

Back cover text:

The Trinitarian Self argues that the insights of three key authors—Søren Kierkegaard, Eric Voegelin, and René Girard—can be synthesized to produce a Trinitarian theological anthropology. Their reflections on the deep roots of human behavior illuminate three structural dimensions of human existence: the temporal trajectory of selfhood, the vertical axis (God and nature), and the horizontal plane of cultural formation. An understanding of these dimensions and how they interrelate proves very fruitful in making sense of a wide variety of pathological forms of behavior that human beings have engaged in during the modern era. This work links together in thought-provoking ways various realms of thought, such as Trinitarian theology, a plea for a “New Copernican Revolution” that will result in a broadly held psychological understanding of violence, the ethics of war and peace, atonement theologies, and critical commentaries on terrorism and the war on terror. The interplay between these topics will likely prove very stimulating to a wide variety of readers.


"Bellinger has thrown a clarifying spotlight on the question of violence as the crucial intersection between our human sciences and theology, a dialogue that proves as fruitful in theory as it is necessary in practice. His telling readings of Soren Kierkegaard, Eric Voegelin and Rene Girard are woven together into an interpretive framework that multiplies the diagnostic relevance of each one for our conflicted human condition. Ambitious, clear and creative, this book is a welcome contribution to the theological understanding of humanity and to the struggle to overcome violence."

S. Mark Heim, Samuel Abbot Professor of Christian Theology, Andover Newton Theological School

"The lethal blow is as ancient as Cain, and it is this mystery of human malice that Charles Bellinger explores with creativity and verve. His ambitious theological anthropology, closely tied to the doctrine of God and ethics, consistently provokes insights into our painfully predictable tendency toward pyscho-social pathology—and gives us valuable hints about the way toward peace."

R.R. Reno, Professor of Theological Ethics, Creighton University


Another endorsement, not on cover:
" 'The luxury of ignorance is no longer possible.' Charles Bellinger is absolutely right. Christians must reflect more deeply upon the violence in which we are involved—either as victims or perpetrators. University and school shootings, the mass violence of terrorists and nations, the quiet violence of aesthetic individualism: all this requires that we get our bearings. Bellinger provides a remarkably sophisticated but accessible anthropology whereby we can discover the idolatry and genuine subhumanity at the root of our violence. Yet, the real gift of this book is what Bellinger provides in the way of discovering what it means to encounter Christ and the triune life of God in maturity, openness and peace. If churches or study groups were looking for a book to help them think through the chaos without resorting to empty rhetoric, this book is a worthy guide."

Rev. Joshua Whitfield, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Mansfield, Texas