Communion and the Trinity: distinct relations with Father, Son and Spirit

BS The Bible;BT Doctrinal Theology;BV Practical Theology

Peters, Dan ; Ferguson, Sinclair

University:University of Glasgow

Department:School of Critical Studies

关键词: Trinitarian communion, John Owen on communion.;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/9142/7/2018petersmth.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

Communion with the triune God is necessarily Trinitarian. But does that simply mean that all three divine persons are involved, or is there a case for the Christian communing distinctly with each person? This thesis argues for the latter. Distinct communion has not flourished within western Christianity, although the Puritan, John Owen, breaks the mould. In order to arrive at the concept, two preliminary steps must be taken. First, the range of New Testament terminology for communion with God must be appreciated; only then will the authors’ devotional Trinitarianism become properly visible. Secondly, the triune God must be viewed through the lenses of the redemptive storyline; only then will the Three be recognised in their full distinctness, and a theological framework established within which tri-personal communion makes sense. In this thesis these two areas are foregrounded, but other, related matters are also addressed. Not all biblical communion distinguishes between the three persons. Then there is the person of the Spirit, the direct worship of whom may appear problematic. There are also more ‘practical’ issues associated with (especially public, liturgical) distinct communion: for instance, the advisability of shifting focus within a single prayer from one divine person to another.John Owen rightly recognised the importance of distinct communion. The doctrine of the Trinity is not dry and irrelevant, a theme only fit for academic speculation. It is the central truth of biblical religion, and must, therefore, be appropriated at the level of ordinary Christian piety.