the children of abraham the person of god sunday, march 11, 2007 10 to 10:50 am, in the parlor....

The Children of The Children of AbrahamAbraham

The Person of GodThe Person of God

Sunday, March 11, 200710 to 10:50 am, in the Parlor.

Everyone is welcome!

Primary ReferencesPrimary References

Three Faiths, One God: The Formative Three Faiths, One God: The Formative Faith and Practice of Judaism, Christianity, Faith and Practice of Judaism, Christianity, and Islamand Islam, Jacob Neusner, Bruce Chilton, , Jacob Neusner, Bruce Chilton, William Graham. Brill Academic Publishers, William Graham. Brill Academic Publishers, 20022002

Christian Theology. An Introduction. Third Christian Theology. An Introduction. Third EditionEdition. Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell . Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford, 2001Publishers, Oxford, 2001

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever.glory, now and for ever.

- For Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815- For Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815

The Person of GodThe Person of Godin Christianity, Islam and in Christianity, Islam and

JudaismJudaism

IntroductionIntroduction

All three religions know God through God’s self-All three religions know God through God’s self-revelationrevelation JudaismJudaism: in the Written and Oral : in the Written and Oral TorahTorah ChristianityChristianity: in the : in the BibleBible and through and through Christ JesusChrist Jesus IslamIslam: in the : in the Qur’anQur’an

Knowledge of God is “accumulative” for Christianity Knowledge of God is “accumulative” for Christianity and Islam:and Islam: ChristianityChristianity: Written Torah (“Old Testament”) : Written Torah (“Old Testament”) New New

TestamentTestament IslamIslam: Torah of Moses : Torah of Moses Bible of Christianity Bible of Christianity

perfected in the Qur’anperfected in the Qur’an

IntroductionIntroduction

All three religions acknowledge God as:All three religions acknowledge God as: The Creator of the universeThe Creator of the universe Transcendent, All-Knowing (= omniscient), All-Transcendent, All-Knowing (= omniscient), All-

Powerful (= omnipotent)Powerful (= omnipotent) Unique, One (“Unitary”)Unique, One (“Unitary”)

Differ in their:Differ in their: emphasis on certain facets of the above emphasis on certain facets of the above

characteristics of God characteristics of God views of the relationship of God with humanityviews of the relationship of God with humanity

IslamIslamOne God, Unitary and One God, Unitary and

TranscendentTranscendent

Islam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIslam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIntroductionIntroduction

Emphasis in Emphasis in IslamIslam is on the God as is on the God as Transcendent LordTranscendent Lord God is greater (God is greater (Allahu akbarAllahu akbar) [than anything ) [than anything

conceivable]conceivable] God alone is worthy of worship and service.God alone is worthy of worship and service. To attribute human attributes to God is To attribute human attributes to God is shirkshirk

(mixing something else with God)(mixing something else with God) There is There is nono concept of human beings as made in concept of human beings as made in

the image of Godthe image of God

Islam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIslam: God, Unitary and TranscendentGod as Transcendent LordGod as Transcendent Lord

God’s God’s OthernessOtherness to anything in the world of to anything in the world of experience strains the limits of human mindexperience strains the limits of human mind

““the use of multiple names and expressions of the use of multiple names and expressions of praise or submission is finally the only available, praise or submission is finally the only available, albeit limited and approximate, means that a albeit limited and approximate, means that a contingent, limited human being has of contingent, limited human being has of approaching the Unconditioned and Infinite, the approaching the Unconditioned and Infinite, the Lord of the universe”Lord of the universe”

William GrahamWilliam Graham


The The TakbirTakbir or “ or “Magnification of GodMagnification of God::” ” Allahu Allahu akbarakbar (God is greater [than anything conceivable]) is: (God is greater [than anything conceivable]) is: the ubiquitous affirmation of the most important fact about the ubiquitous affirmation of the most important fact about

reality that we know: God’s majesty, God’s absolute and reality that we know: God’s majesty, God’s absolute and utter transcendenceutter transcendence

cried out before every call to ritual worshipcried out before every call to ritual worship an ejaculation of praisean ejaculation of praise a formula for meditationa formula for meditation a war crya war cry cried out whenever a Muslim wishes to express gratitude, cried out whenever a Muslim wishes to express gratitude,

wonder, or pleasurewonder, or pleasure


Three aspects of God as Three aspects of God as Transcendent LordTranscendent Lord:: 1. God’s omnipotence (All-Powerful), omniscience 1. God’s omnipotence (All-Powerful), omniscience

(All-Knowing), and sovereignty(All-Knowing), and sovereignty 2. God’s oneness, uniqueness, and perfection2. God’s oneness, uniqueness, and perfection 3. God as Creator-Sustainer3. God as Creator-Sustainer

Islam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIslam: God, Unitary and TranscendentGod As All-Powerful, All-Knowing LordGod As All-Powerful, All-Knowing Lord

Qur’an* Sura 57:1-6:Qur’an* Sura 57:1-6: In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of

Mercy.Mercy.

Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies God – Everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies God – He is the Almighty, the Wise. Control of the heavens and He is the Almighty, the Wise. Control of the heavens and earth belongs to Him; He gives life and death; He has earth belongs to Him; He gives life and death; He has power over all things, He is the First and the Last; the power over all things, He is the First and the Last; the Outer and the Inner; He has knowledge of all things. It Outer and the Inner; He has knowledge of all things. It was He who created the heavens and earth in six days was He who created the heavens and earth in six days and then established Himself on the throne.and then established Himself on the throne.

*MAS Abdel Haleen translation, Oxford*MAS Abdel Haleen translation, Oxford


Qur’an* Sura 57:1-6:Qur’an* Sura 57:1-6: He knows what enters the earth and what comes out of He knows what enters the earth and what comes out of

it; what descends from the sky and what ascends to it. it; what descends from the sky and what ascends to it. He is with you whereever you are; He sees all that you He is with you whereever you are; He sees all that you do; control of the heavens and earth belongs to Him. do; control of the heavens and earth belongs to Him. Everything is brought back to God. He makes night Everything is brought back to God. He makes night merge into day and day into night. He knows what is in merge into day and day into night. He knows what is in every heart.”every heart.”



Qur’an* Throne Verse of Sura 2:255:Qur’an* Throne Verse of Sura 2:255: God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the

Ever Watchful. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Ever Watchful. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave? He knows what is before Him except by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous.He is the Most High, the Tremendous.



To God belongs the “determining” or “measuring To God belongs the “determining” or “measuring out” (out” (qadarqadar) of all things) of all things

Consensus in Islam has affirmed God’s Consensus in Islam has affirmed God’s qadarqadar over over human free will or any natural lawhuman free will or any natural law The emphasis on God as All-Knowing and All-Powerful The emphasis on God as All-Knowing and All-Powerful

brings a strong sense of brings a strong sense of PredestinationPredestination to Islam to Islam “…“…whoever God guides is truly guided, and whoever God guides is truly guided, and

whoever God allows to stray is a loser.”whoever God allows to stray is a loser.” (Qur’an* (Qur’an* 7:178)7:178)



However, Islam also says individuals are accountable However, Islam also says individuals are accountable for their actions at the Judgment.for their actions at the Judgment.

God will be Judge, the “God will be Judge, the “Master of the Day of Master of the Day of JudgmentJudgment” (Qur’an* 1:4)” (Qur’an* 1:4)

The tension, even contradiction, between:The tension, even contradiction, between: God’s absolute divine sovereignty God’s absolute divine sovereignty predestination of predestination of

human beings, versus human beings, versus human free will and accountability,human free will and accountability,

is considered in Islam a is considered in Islam a mysterymystery for finite human for finite human beingsbeings



Doctrine of “Acquisition” Doctrine of “Acquisition” attempts to approach an attempts to approach an understanding of this mystery:understanding of this mystery: God creates all human actsGod creates all human acts each human being “acquires” his or her actions by choiceeach human being “acquires” his or her actions by choice

Muhammad on God’s absolute divine sovereignty Muhammad on God’s absolute divine sovereignty predestination of human beings, versus human free will and predestination of human beings, versus human free will and accountability (from the accountability (from the hadithhadith):): [Muhammad:] “There is no one of you whose place in [either] the [Muhammad:] “There is no one of you whose place in [either] the

fire or Paradise has not been written [for him].”fire or Paradise has not been written [for him].” ““Then one of the men of the people said, “Can we not [simply] Then one of the men of the people said, “Can we not [simply]

rely on this, O Apostle of God?”rely on this, O Apostle of God?” ““[Muhammad] said: “No, rather act, for everyone is prepared [for [Muhammad] said: “No, rather act, for everyone is prepared [for

that which he has been created].”that which he has been created].” al-Bukhari al-Bukhari 82:3:582:3:5

Islam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIslam: God, Unitary and TranscendentGod As One, Unique, PerfectGod As One, Unique, Perfect

ShahadahShahadah: : “there is no god but God, and “there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” Said before every call to the five prescribed times Said before every call to the five prescribed times

of daily prayer (of daily prayer (salatsalat)) The first words to a Muslim newbornThe first words to a Muslim newborn

Signals one’s Signals one’s islamislam (submission to God) (submission to God) Underscores the absolute and unique character Underscores the absolute and unique character

of Godof God


God is a complete and perfect being, God is a complete and perfect being, withoutwithout partner or need of anyone or anything elsepartner or need of anyone or anything else

The greatest sin for a Muslim is The greatest sin for a Muslim is shirkshirk (mixing (mixing something else with God)something else with God) This includes associating “partners” with the This includes associating “partners” with the

unique, transcendent Lord of heaven and earthunique, transcendent Lord of heaven and earth


Qur’an* 6:100-101Qur’an* 6:100-101 ……they [nonbelievers] made the jinnthey [nonbelievers] made the jinn++ partners partners

with God, though He created them, and without with God, though He created them, and without any true knowledge they attribute sons and any true knowledge they attribute sons and daughters to Him. Glory be to Him! He is far daughters to Him. Glory be to Him! He is far higher than what they ascribe to him, the Creator higher than what they ascribe to him, the Creator of the heavens and the earth! How could He of the heavens and the earth! How could He have children when He has no spouse, when He have children when He has no spouse, when He created all things, and has full knowledge of all created all things, and has full knowledge of all things?things? +unseen beings made with smokeless fire



A central virtue for Muslims is A central virtue for Muslims is TawhidTawhid “declaration of [and faith in] divine oneness”“declaration of [and faith in] divine oneness”

Muslims repeat Qur’an* Sura 112 five times Muslims repeat Qur’an* Sura 112 five times each day:each day: “… “… He is God the One, God the eternal. He He is God the One, God the eternal. He

begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is begot no one nor was He begotten. No one is comparable to Him.”comparable to Him.”


Islam: God, Unitary and TranscendentIslam: God, Unitary and TranscendentGod As Creator and SustainerGod As Creator and Sustainer

God is the ground of Being; nothing has independent God is the ground of Being; nothing has independent existence apart from God’s creative and sustaining existence apart from God’s creative and sustaining powerpower

God not only created the world, but God’s sustaining God not only created the world, but God’s sustaining of the world consists of re-creating everything at of the world consists of re-creating everything at every moment:every moment: ““Do they not see that God brings life into being and Do they not see that God brings life into being and

reproduces it? Truly this is easy for God.”reproduces it? Truly this is easy for God.” (Qur’an (Qur’an 29:19, MAS Abdel Haleen translation, Oxford)29:19, MAS Abdel Haleen translation, Oxford)

““law of cause and effect” appears to be true only because law of cause and effect” appears to be true only because God, at every nanosecond of existence, is deciding once God, at every nanosecond of existence, is deciding once again to allow “cause” to follow “effect”again to allow “cause” to follow “effect”


As the Sustainer of His Creation, God is thus As the Sustainer of His Creation, God is thus intimately involved in the world, and “God is closer intimately involved in the world, and “God is closer to us than is our jugular vein” (Qur’an 50:16)to us than is our jugular vein” (Qur’an 50:16)


God does care about the creatures of his creation.God does care about the creatures of his creation. God’s love is dependent on the believer’s faith and practice:God’s love is dependent on the believer’s faith and practice:

““God loves those who keep their pledges and are mindful of God loves those who keep their pledges and are mindful of Him”Him” (Qur’an 3:76) (Qur’an 3:76)

… … if any of you go back on your faith, God will soon replace you if any of you go back on your faith, God will soon replace you with people He loves and who love Him.”with people He loves and who love Him.” (Qur’an 5:54) (Qur’an 5:54)

Of the divine attributes:Of the divine attributes: (1) God’s infinite power and majesty(1) God’s infinite power and majesty (2) God’s justice and judgment(2) God’s justice and judgment (3) God’s mercy and love(3) God’s mercy and love

(1) and (2) are most emphasized in Muslim piety.(1) and (2) are most emphasized in Muslim piety.


““The Lord of the universe is above all a The Lord of the universe is above all a just God, and in the end He will requite just God, and in the end He will requite human actions as they deserve – human actions as they deserve – tempered always by His endless mercy, tempered always by His endless mercy, but always based on His standards of but always based on His standards of justice and right. . .”justice and right. . .” (William Graham) (William Graham)

Judaism:Judaism:One God, Many FormsOne God, Many Forms

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsIntroductionIntroduction

God is:God is: creator of the worldcreator of the world giver of Torah (both written and oral)giver of Torah (both written and oral) redeemer of Israelredeemer of Israel

Certain knowledge of God is found only in the revelation of Certain knowledge of God is found only in the revelation of the Torah the Torah

The encounter with God takes place:The encounter with God takes place: at prayer and worshipat prayer and worship in the study of Torahin the study of Torah

Human beings are made in God’s image:Human beings are made in God’s image: Thus God and humanity are comparable in some waysThus God and humanity are comparable in some ways

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsThe Many Faces of GodThe Many Faces of God

God appears to humanity in diverse forms and faces:God appears to humanity in diverse forms and faces: B. Said R Hinena bar Papa:B. Said R Hinena bar Papa: “The Holy One, blessed “The Holy One, blessed

be He, had made his appearance to them with a stern be He, had made his appearance to them with a stern face, with a neutral face, with a friendly face, with a face, with a neutral face, with a friendly face, with a happy face. . .”happy face. . .”

G. Said to them the Holy One, blessed be He:G. Said to them the Holy One, blessed be He: “Even “Even though you may see all of these diverse faces of though you may see all of these diverse faces of mine, nonetheless, I am the Lord your God brought mine, nonetheless, I am the Lord your God brought you out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2).”you out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2).”


God appears to humanity in diverse forms and faces:God appears to humanity in diverse forms and faces: H: Said R. Levi,H: Said R. Levi, “The Holy One, blessed be He, had “The Holy One, blessed be He, had

appeared to them like an icon that has faces in all appeared to them like an icon that has faces in all directions, so that if a thousand people look at it, it directions, so that if a thousand people look at it, it appears to look at them as well.appears to look at them as well.

I.I. “So too when the Holy One, blessed be He, when He “So too when the Holy One, blessed be He, when He was speaking, each Israelite would say ‘With me in was speaking, each Israelite would say ‘With me in particular the Word speaks’particular the Word speaks’

J.J. “What is written here is not, I am the Lord, your [plural] “What is written here is not, I am the Lord, your [plural] God, but rather, I am the Lord your [singular] God who God, but rather, I am the Lord your [singular] God who brought you out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2)brought you out of the land of Egypt (Ex. 20:2)

from: Midrash, Pesiqta deRab Kahanafrom: Midrash, Pesiqta deRab Kahana


The reason for the many faces of God:The reason for the many faces of God: God must sustain all the diverse images of God must sustain all the diverse images of

humanity – for each human being is made in the humanity – for each human being is made in the image of Godimage of God

So Torah says:So Torah says: If you want to know God, look into the face of the If you want to know God, look into the face of the

Other – look into the face of each human being, Other – look into the face of each human being, one by one, one by oneone by one, one by one

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsPortraits of GodPortraits of God

Torah portrays God in several ways:Torah portrays God in several ways: 1. God as the foundation and goal of All1. God as the foundation and goal of All 2. God as Presence2. God as Presence 3. God as a Person, with a Personality3. God as a Person, with a Personality

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsPortraits of God: Origin & Goal of AllPortraits of God: Origin & Goal of All

God is:God is: one or unitaryone or unitary The one origin, basis, foundation of all The one origin, basis, foundation of all

thingsthings The one goal of all beingThe one goal of all being

all things, through an ascending hierarchy, all things, through an ascending hierarchy, ultimately converge to Godultimately converge to God

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsPortraits of God: PresencePortraits of God: Presence

God forms a living presence in the worldGod forms a living presence in the world The Presence of God is the The Presence of God is the ShekhinahShekhinah (roughly (roughly

corresponding to the Holy Spirit)corresponding to the Holy Spirit) The Presence of God, the The Presence of God, the ShekhinahShekhinah::

conveys divine decisions through the operation of conveys divine decisions through the operation of “chance” in the world“chance” in the world

intervenes in historyintervenes in history hears the prayers of the peoplehears the prayers of the people


When the All-Merciful came forth to When the All-Merciful came forth to redeem Israel from Egypt, He did not send redeem Israel from Egypt, He did not send a messenger or an angel, but the Holy a messenger or an angel, but the Holy One, blessed be He, Himself came forth, One, blessed be He, Himself came forth, as it is said, “For I will pass through the as it is said, “For I will pass through the Land of Egypt that night” (Ex. 12:12) – and Land of Egypt that night” (Ex. 12:12) – and not only so, but it was He and His entire not only so, but it was He and His entire retinue.retinue.

Jerusalem Talmud: Sanhedrin 2:1:III.OJerusalem Talmud: Sanhedrin 2:1:III.O


See how high the Holy One, blessed be He, is See how high the Holy One, blessed be He, is above the His world. Yet a person can enter a above the His world. Yet a person can enter a synagogue, stand behind a pillar, and pray in an synagogue, stand behind a pillar, and pray in an undertone, and the Holy One, blessed be He, undertone, and the Holy One, blessed be He, hears his prayers, [for] as it [the Torah] says, hears his prayers, [for] as it [the Torah] says, “Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips “Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard” (1 Sam. moved, and her voice was not heard” (1 Sam. 1:13). Yet the Holy One, blessed be He, heard 1:13). Yet the Holy One, blessed be He, heard her prayer.her prayer.

Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 9:1.VII.EJerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 9:1.VII.E

Judaism: One God, Many FormsJudaism: One God, Many FormsPortraits of God: PersonalityPortraits of God: Personality

Torah commands: Torah commands: “love the Lord your God with all “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”might.”

It would be hard to love an abstract entity, an It would be hard to love an abstract entity, an unmoved mover (such as the God of the Greek unmoved mover (such as the God of the Greek philosophers)philosophers)

The God of Torah however is a person, an individual, The God of Torah however is a person, an individual, active in everyday life, responding to the needs of active in everyday life, responding to the needs of each individual human being and his or her actions.each individual human being and his or her actions.


God in the Torah – particularly in the Babylonian Talmud – is God in the Torah – particularly in the Babylonian Talmud – is a full personality whom humanity can know and lovea full personality whom humanity can know and love

As a personality, God is “corporeal” in some ways. That is, As a personality, God is “corporeal” in some ways. That is, God does acts that people do. God “mirrors” humanity:God does acts that people do. God “mirrors” humanity: wears phylacteries (= tefillin)wears phylacteries (= tefillin) studies Torahstudies Torah makes practical decisionsmakes practical decisions sustains the world (has administrative duties)sustains the world (has administrative duties) plays with his pet, leviathanplays with his pet, leviathan God prays to Godself (for example, that God should elicit from God prays to Godself (for example, that God should elicit from

Godself forgiveness for Israel)Godself forgiveness for Israel)


In the covenant with God’s people, and in God’s In the covenant with God’s people, and in God’s relationship with humankind, God conforms to the relationship with humankind, God conforms to the human social rules that govern relationships. God human social rules that govern relationships. God negotiates, persuades, teaches, arguesnegotiates, persuades, teaches, argues For example, recall Abraham arguing with God over the For example, recall Abraham arguing with God over the

fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23-33)fate of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23-33) That God’s personality includes “human” aspects is That God’s personality includes “human” aspects is

one of the most characteristic and important one of the most characteristic and important theological ideas in Rabbinic Judaism.theological ideas in Rabbinic Judaism.


There is a point however where human beings There is a point however where human beings can relate to God only with attitude of can relate to God only with attitude of profound humility and obedience. God is God. profound humility and obedience. God is God. God does what God likes. God is Other. We God does what God likes. God is Other. We must simply accept God’s decrees, when:must simply accept God’s decrees, when: the undeserving receive glorythe undeserving receive glory the deserving come to nothingthe deserving come to nothing


Moses talking to God about the great teacher of the Moses talking to God about the great teacher of the Torah, Rabbi Akiba:Torah, Rabbi Akiba: ““He [Moses] said to Him, ‘Lord of the universe, you have now He [Moses] said to Him, ‘Lord of the universe, you have now

shown me his mastery of Torah. Now show me his reward.’shown me his mastery of Torah. Now show me his reward.’ ““He [God] said to him [Moses], ‘Turn around.’He [God] said to him [Moses], ‘Turn around.’ ““He turned around and saw people weighing out his flesh in He turned around and saw people weighing out his flesh in

the butcher-shop.the butcher-shop. ““He said to Him, ‘Lord of the universe, such is his mastery of He said to Him, ‘Lord of the universe, such is his mastery of

Torah, and such is his reward?’Torah, and such is his reward?’ ““He said to him, ‘Be silent. That is how I have decided He said to him, ‘Be silent. That is how I have decided

matters.’”matters.’” Babylonia Talmud, Menahot 29bBabylonia Talmud, Menahot 29b

ChristianityChristianityGod Triune and IncarnateGod Triune and Incarnate

Christianity: God Triune and IncarnateChristianity: God Triune and IncarnateIntroductionIntroduction

Distinctive beliefs of Christianity:Distinctive beliefs of Christianity: The Incarnation:The Incarnation: The Transcendent God, the The Transcendent God, the

Creator of the Universe, emptied God’s self Creator of the Universe, emptied God’s self ((kenosiskenosis) and became a human being – Jesus) and became a human being – Jesus

The IncarnationThe Incarnation has far-reaching implications for has far-reaching implications for God’s relationship with humanityGod’s relationship with humanity

The Trinity:The Trinity: The mystery of the God as One The mystery of the God as One Being, yet a Trinity – a “community of being”, Being, yet a Trinity – a “community of being”, consisting of three “personas” mutually consisting of three “personas” mutually interpenetrating each other, bonded by loveinterpenetrating each other, bonded by love

Christianity: God Triune and IncarnateChristianity: God Triune and IncarnateIncarnationIncarnation

From the Gospel of John:From the Gospel of John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was

with God, and the Word was God. He was in the with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being beginning with God. All things came into being through him, …through him, …

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, …” And the Word became flesh and lived among us, …” (John 1:1-3, 14 NRSV)(John 1:1-3, 14 NRSV)

““For God so loved the world that he gave his only For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16 NRSV)(John 3:16 NRSV)


The Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary:The Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary: … … you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end his kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:30-31 NRSV)(Luke 1:30-31 NRSV)


Paul, speaking of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20 Paul, speaking of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20 (NRSV):(NRSV): He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all

creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, … . He were created, things visible and invisible, … . He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. … For in him all the fullness of God was together. … For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwellpleased to dwell


Jesus is Jesus is fully Godfully God, the second person of the , the second person of the Trinity, the “Son of God,” the Trinity, the “Son of God,” the logoslogos or Word or Word of Godof God Jesus as God has always existed. “There was never Jesus as God has always existed. “There was never

a time in which he was not.”a time in which he was not.” Jesus was Jesus was fully Humanfully Human


In God’s outgoing love, God In God’s outgoing love, God unitedunited God’s self to God’s self to God’s creation – the closest of all possible unionsGod’s creation – the closest of all possible unions God became that which God had createdGod became that which God had created

God emptied God’s self (God emptied God’s self (kenosiskenosis) and took on our ) and took on our humanity as:humanity as: an act of restoration of human beings to God following the an act of restoration of human beings to God following the

sin of Adam and Evesin of Adam and Eve an act of love, an expression of God’s limitless, outgoing an act of love, an expression of God’s limitless, outgoing

love for human beings, to meet us in our humanitylove for human beings, to meet us in our humanity Jesus as God shows us who God isJesus as God shows us who God is


The The IncarnationIncarnation marks a new stage in the history of marks a new stage in the history of humanity, raising humankind to a new level, closer to humanity, raising humankind to a new level, closer to the world of God, in whose image we are made. Jesus the world of God, in whose image we are made. Jesus is the “new Adam,” the “man from heaven:”is the “new Adam,” the “man from heaven:” ““The first man [Adam] was from the earth, a man of The first man [Adam] was from the earth, a man of

dust; the second man [Jesus] is from heaven. As was dust; the second man [Jesus] is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.”heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 NRSV) (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 NRSV)

Christianity: God Triune and IncarnateChristianity: God Triune and IncarnateThe TrinityThe Trinity

The problem of the The problem of the TrinityTrinity (from St. (from St. Augustine, Augustine, On Christian DoctrineOn Christian Doctrine):): 1. The Father is God1. The Father is God 2. The Son is God2. The Son is God 3. The Holy Spirit is God3. The Holy Spirit is God 4. The Father is not the Son4. The Father is not the Son 5. The Son is not the Holy Spirit5. The Son is not the Holy Spirit 6. The Holy Spirit is not the Father6. The Holy Spirit is not the Father 7. There is only one God7. There is only one God


The numbers do not add up: three individual The numbers do not add up: three individual beings are named as God but they do not add beings are named as God but they do not add up to three Gods, but rather to One God:up to three Gods, but rather to One God:

3 = 1, 1 = 33 = 1, 1 = 3


St. Gregory of Nazianzus* (330-389 AD):St. Gregory of Nazianzus* (330-389 AD): ““No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am

illumined by the splendor of the Three; no illumined by the splendor of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried back to the One. . . When I contemplate the back to the One. . . When I contemplate the Three together, I see but one torch, and Three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the undivided cannot divide or measure out the undivided light.”light.”

*present day Bekar, Turkey


St. Gregory of Nazianzus* (330-389 AD):St. Gregory of Nazianzus* (330-389 AD): ““When I speak of God you must be illumined When I speak of God you must be illumined

at once by one flash of light and by three. at once by one flash of light and by three. Three in Properties, or Hypostases, or Three in Properties, or Hypostases, or Persons, if any prefer so to call them, for we Persons, if any prefer so to call them, for we will not quarrel about names so long as the will not quarrel about names so long as the syllables amount to the same meaning; but syllables amount to the same meaning; but One in respect of … the Godhead. For they One in respect of … the Godhead. For they are divided indivisibly. . . and they are are divided indivisibly. . . and they are conjoined dividedly. For the Godhead is one conjoined dividedly. For the Godhead is one in three, and the three are one. . .”in three, and the three are one. . .”

*present day Bekar, Turkey


The doctrine of the Trinity is:The doctrine of the Trinity is: ultimately irrational: “beyond rational ultimately irrational: “beyond rational

understanding,” a “mystery”understanding,” a “mystery” something revealed to us by God, not something revealed to us by God, not

demonstrated to us by our own reasondemonstrated to us by our own reason something in which, in the end, our something in which, in the end, our

“argumentation and analysis must give place to “argumentation and analysis must give place to wordless prayer, ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silent, wordless prayer, ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silent, and stand with fear and trembling.’” (Bishop and stand with fear and trembling.’” (Bishop Kallistos Ware)Kallistos Ware)


Two theological concepts used to try to Two theological concepts used to try to approach an understanding of the Trinity:approach an understanding of the Trinity: 1. 1. PerichoresisPerichoresis 2. 2. AppropriationAppropriation

Christianity: God Triune and IncarnateChristianity: God Triune and IncarnateThe Trinity: PerichoresisThe Trinity: Perichoresis

PerichoresisPerichoresis (Greek) = (Greek) = circumincessiocircumincessio (Latin) (Latin) = “mutual interpenetration”= “mutual interpenetration” Each person of the Trinity, maintaining a Each person of the Trinity, maintaining a

distinctive identity, interpenetrates the others and distinctive identity, interpenetrates the others and is interpenetrated by them, to the point that they all is interpenetrated by them, to the point that they all have one willhave one will


““I-You” RelationI-You” Relation (opposed to an “I-It” relation) (opposed to an “I-It” relation) The “You” can never be objectified, or “boxed” into our The “You” can never be objectified, or “boxed” into our

understanding. The “You” has no borders, cannot be understanding. The “You” has no borders, cannot be measured or “turned into content.” The “You” “fills the measured or “turned into content.” The “You” “fills the sky” of our mind's eye. The “You” is a Presence, is sky” of our mind's eye. The “You” is a Presence, is Presence as power.Presence as power.

For humans, this is an encounter, a transitory event (the For humans, this is an encounter, a transitory event (the “event of relation”) which is mutual and reciprocal“event of relation”) which is mutual and reciprocal

Can be called loveCan be called love Comes to us by graceComes to us by grace


The “mutual interpenetration” of the three The “mutual interpenetration” of the three persons of the Trinity can be thought of as persons of the Trinity can be thought of as involving ainvolving a continuous continuous (rather than a (rather than a transitory) transitory) “I – You” relationship“I – You” relationship of each of each person of the Trinity with the other personsperson of the Trinity with the other persons

Christianity: God Triune and IncarnateChristianity: God Triune and IncarnateThe Trinity: AppropriationThe Trinity: Appropriation

All three personsAll three persons of the Trinity are involved in of the Trinity are involved in every actionevery action of God of God

Nonetheless, it is Nonetheless, it is appropriateappropriate to think of some to think of some actions as the distinctive actions of one person actions as the distinctive actions of one person of the Trinity. For example:of the Trinity. For example: creationcreation is the work of the is the work of the FatherFather redemptionredemption is the work of the is the work of the SonSon

Primary ReferencesPrimary References

Three Faiths, One God: The Formative Three Faiths, One God: The Formative Faith and Practice of Judaism, Christianity, Faith and Practice of Judaism, Christianity, and Islamand Islam, Jacob Neusner, Bruce Chilton, , Jacob Neusner, Bruce Chilton, William Graham. Brill Academic Publishers, William Graham. Brill Academic Publishers, 20022002

Christian Theology. An Introduction. Third Christian Theology. An Introduction. Third EditionEdition. Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell . Alister E. McGrath, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford, 2001Publishers, Oxford, 2001

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