Johnson, Chapter 10

Trinity: The Living God of Love

The Point

• The doctrine of God as understood in Christianity speaks of a living dynamic love encompassing the universe.

• The trinitarian language aims to explain God's relational nature, not to define or describe him conceptually.

Historical Context

• Over centuries, the concept of the Trinity has often been neglected or misrepresented.

• Friedrich Schleiermacher suggested it had little practical value in his work, diminishing its role in Christian spirituality and theology.

• Walter Kasper states that the Trinity represents the Christian understanding of monotheism.

Understanding the Trinity

• Christians believe in one God who is active in love toward the world through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

• The experience of salvation through God is pivotal to understanding the Trinity.

Language of the Trinity

Historical Development

• The term "Trinity" arose in early Christianity to articulate the believers' saving experiences through Jesus.

• Jewish monotheism underpinned early Christian beliefs, leading to a new understanding of God as transcendent and present in Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Transformation of the Doctrine

• Councils at Nicaea (325 AD) and Constantinople (381 AD) formalized the creedal statements about the Trinity amid controversy over Jesus’ divinity.

• Early Christian literature reflected a threefold pattern in language, indicating a shift towards a trinitarian lens.

Theological Reflections

• The gap between historical experience and doctrinal language has often resulted in a disconnection between theology and practice.

• Enlightenment theology introduced abstractions that distanced trinitarian doctrine from its foundational experiences of redemption.

Challenges in Understanding

• Trinitarian language became technical and complex, alienating many from the core message of salvation.

• Feminist critique points to patriarchal interpretations that overshadow a communal understanding of the divine.

• There is a need for a relational interpretation of God rather than an individualistic or authoritarian view.

Current Theological Directions

Bridging Experience and Theology

• Karl Rahner's principle, "the economic Trinity is the immanent Trinity," emphasizes that our knowledge of God comes from relational experiences of salvation.

• Theology must speak of God in the context of salvation to maintain relevance and inspiration for faith.

Inflections of Trinitarian Speech

• Theology today employs three inflections to articulate the Trinity:

  • Theological Inflection: Centers on the name YHWH, emphasizing the covenant relationship.

  • Christological Inflection: Focuses on Jesus as the incarnation of God's love.

  • Pneumatological Inflection: Highlights the active presence of the Spirit guiding the community.

Importance of Inflections

• Each inflection adds depth to understanding God as relational and loving, capable of transforming communities.

• Contemporary discussions frame the mystery of God in accessible terms to engage believers meaningfully.

Practical Implications

• Understanding the Trinity as a communion of love impacts ethics and community engagement.

• A revitalized trinitarian theology aligns with the life of love and service, reflecting God's nature.

• Catherine LaCugna emphasizes that the Trinity has radical implications for Christian practices that foster love and community.

The Call to Action

• The essence of the Triune God as love encourages believers to embody integrity and commitment toward others.

• Christian life, infused with the spirit of the Trinity, necessitates a living out of communal love in all relationships.