Co-equal and Co-eternal: Reflections on the Nicene Creed as an affirmation of a non-hierarchical trinitarian understanding of God

Abstract

Taking as its starting point the current popular theological emphasis on the Trinity, this paper focuses seriously on the Nicene Creed from the devotional perspective of faith in an attempt to configure a theology of the Trinity that avoids early Christian distortions of hierarchy and the tri-theism that Islamic thought justifiably challenged. Grappling with chronology within eternity, the inclusivity of the Father, the begetting of the Son and the process of the Spirit, the reader is invited to eavesdrop on the internal conversations and perspective of Godself in their triune agreement “making decrees together” as far “back” as eternity and even “before”. Focusing particularly on Psalms 2 & 110, the subjugation of the powers, the crucified nature of divine authority and the possibility of a willing people working to counter the powers, right their ravages and promote the crucified rule of the Son are shown to be at the heart of the Trinity’s intent. The ministry of the Son is explicated as the outworking of the divine patience in the great Trinitarian plan to bring down oppressive authoritarianism and liberate transformative hope, the proceeding of the Spirit is reflected on in the light of the suggested past Trinitarian agreement, and the calling of the Church is outlined, focusing on diversity not division. Finally the proposal of a council present in the divine being even “prior” to the strategic begetting and proceeding fulfilled in creation and redemption is considered in the light of historic theology and orthodoxy.