Trinity models (was Re: Physical Resurrection)

I noted in my earlier post that all analogies for the Trinity fail at some point, so I hesitate to criticize individual suggestions too much. But I should point out that some of those proposed here do illustrate the point I made about the tendency of models (at least in the western church) to verge on modalism. An electron is a wave or a particle, not both at the same time. But the Trinity is Father and Son and Spirit, not Father or Son or Spirit. Similarly for the roles of a person as physicis and tennis player and father. The roles aren't as sharply distinguished there but you see the problem with that analogy by asking if it makes sense for the father to make a request to the physicist, as Jesus prays to his Father.

Those whose ideas verge on modalism are in good company. Karl Barth and Karl Rahner, two 20th century theologians who are largely responsible for the recent revival of interest in trinitarian theology, are both in it. But it's still risky & some correctives are needed, even if they veer toward the opposite boundary that marks off tritheism.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
Received on Wed Apr 12 08:56:22 2006