FITT Revisited:
Exploring the Divine Mystery
The divine mystery of God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity is a profound concept that has captivated theologians for centuries. The Full Interval Trinity Theory (FITT) offers a groundbreaking approach to this mystery, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the dynamic relationship between the divine Persons and their attributes. God in Trinity and Trinity in unity is a profound mystery. But it’s a mystery in revelation because we are hid in Christ. So, this Unity is all God is, and all God is is given. The Trinity is love. First and foremost, the FITT provides a framework for explaining how God relates to Himself, if you will.
FITT employs mathematical formalism, innovative concepts of identity, and a relational ontology to shed new light on the nature of the Trinity. It harmonizes with classical theism in a relational context (as opposed to the traditional causal context) and attempts to transcend panentheism (a modern alternative), and offers a more dynamic understanding of God’s nature and relation to the world by emphasizing how God relates to himself as the analogue to all other relations. This theory emphasizes the interplay between transcendence and immanence, acknowledging the inseparable connection between God and creation.
The equation (3)PA[DivAP, DivIO]=[Actus Purus, Immanentia Omnis] serves as a symbolic representation of the dynamic relationship between the divine Persons and their attributes. Let’s break down the formula:
– (3): The number 3 represents the Trinity, signifying the three distinct Persons within the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
– PA: Pure Agency, which signifies the unconditioned action and relational capacity inherent in each Person of the Trinity. It reflects the divine essence in its entirety.
– DivAP: Divine Actualized Potential, indicating the state where all qualities and capacities inherent to the divine essence are fully actualized in each Person of the Trinity. It demonstrates the perfection of the divine essence in each Person.
– DivIO: Divine Infinite Openness, representing the boundless, limitless nature of the divine essence as embodied in each Person of the Trinity. It highlights the infinite possibilities inherent in the divine essence, open to and actualized by each Person.
– Actus Purus: Pure Actuality, denoting the unconditioned and perfect actuality of God. It emphasizes God’s self-sufficiency, autonomy, and perfection.
– Immanentia Omnis: Divine Infinite Immanence, capturing the immanent presence and activity of God within creation. It signifies God’s intimate involvement in the world and His openness to manifest His divine attributes.
The Full Interval Trinity Theory (FITT), represented by the equation (3)PA[DivAP, DivIO]=[Actus Purus, Immanentia Omnis], is a groundbreaking theological framework that offers a profound articulation of the nature of the Trinity within the context of classical theism. This innovative theory is deeply rooted in a comprehensive exploration of divine attributes, the dynamic relationship between the divine Persons, and the intricate interplay between transcendence and immanence in the divine reality.
At the heart of FITT lies the concept of Pure Agency (PA), a term that signifies the unconditioned action and relational capacity inherent in each Person of the Trinity. This concept presents each Person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as possessing this Pure Agency in full, thereby reflecting the divine essence in its entirety. The actuality of the Persons is, in itself, pure; not diluted or constrained by potentiality, but wholly realized and actualized in its infinite capacity for action and relation. This total realization underscores the perfection inherent in the divine Persons and their Agency, marking it as unique and supreme within all of existence.
FITT is further enriched by the concepts of Divine Actualized Potential (DivAP) and Divine Infinite Openness (DivIO). DivAP indicates the state where all qualities and capacities inherent to the divine essence are actualized in each Person of the Trinity, thereby demonstrating the perfection of the divine essence in each Person. It emphasizes the actuality of all that is divinely possible without implying change or potentiality. On the other hand, DivIO captures the boundless, limitless nature of the divine essence as embodied in each Person of the Trinity. It represents the infinite possibilities inherent in the divine essence, open to and actualized by each Person, thereby emphasizing the expansive and dynamic nature of God’s being.
The equation (3)PA[DivAP, DivIO]=[Actus Purus, Immanentia Omnis] serves as a symbolic representation of the dynamic relationship between the divine Persons and their attributes. It incorporates classical theistic principles such as divine simplicity, transcendence, and immanence, while exploring the interplay between Actus Purus (pure actuality) and Immanentia Omnis (divine infinite openness) as essential aspects of God’s nature.
In the context of FITT, the Persons are seen as pure agencies, each fully actualizing all divine potentials (DivAP) in an infinitely open manner (DivIO). This framework allows each Person to fully present, represent, and manifest the immanent reality of the transcendent qualities they embody. They each fully express the divine nature’s transcendent aspects within their unique relational identities.
Transcendence, in theological terms, refers to the aspect of God’s nature that is wholly independent of, and beyond, the material universe and all known physical laws. This concept is embodied in the doctrine of Actus Purus, or Divine Actualized Potential (DivAP), emphasizing God’s complete actualization, denoting His perfection, autonomy, and self-sufficiency. In God, all that transcends is actual and all actuality transcends. Each Person of the Trinity represents this unity of transcendence and immanence, actualizing all divine potentials in an infinitely open manner within the immanent reality of creation, while maintaining divine self-sufficiency and perfection.
The FITT resonates deeply with various biblical passages that highlight the nature of God and the Trinity. For instance, in the Gospel of John, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2). This passage underscores the concept of Divine Actualized Potential (DivAP), as it speaks to the eternal existence of the Word (Jesus, the Son) with God, indicating the actualization of all divine potentials from the beginning.
In Revelation 1:4, John addresses the seven churches in Asia, extending grace and peace from “him who is, and who was, and who is to come,” as well as from the seven spirits before God’s throne, and from Jesus Christ. This triadic blessing reflects the Trinity’s dynamic nature, which is central to FITT, and the Divine Infinite Openness (DivIO) that characterizes God’s being.
The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 also echo the FITT’s principles. He writes, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Here, we see a reflection of the Trinity’s unity-in-diversity, with each Person actualizing divine potentials in unique ways (DivAP), yet within the same divine essence.
The transcendence and immanence of God, key aspects of FITT, are beautifully captured in passages like Jeremiah 23:23-24 and Psalm 139:7-8. In Jeremiah, God declares, “Am I only a God nearby… and not a God far away?… Do I not fill heaven and earth?” Similarly, the psalmist asks, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” These verses affirm God’s omnipresence, a testament to His infinite openness (DivIO) and His actualized potential (DivAP) in being present everywhere.
Finally, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” affirms the relational ontology of the Trinity. This relationality is at the heart of FITT, with each Person of the Trinity fully actualizing all divine potentials in an infinitely open manner.
The Full Interval Trinity Theory provides a robust theological framework that resonates deeply with biblical revelation. It offers a nuanced understanding of the Trinity, divine attributes, and the dynamic interplay between transcendence and immanence in the divine reality. As we reflect on the biblical wisdom, we grasp the profound depth and immediacy of God’s nature, illuminating the transformative power of divine action and its profound implications for our understanding of God’s engagement with the world. This exploration of FITT, therefore, not only deepens our theological understanding but also enriches our spiritual journey, inviting us to engage more fully with the divine mystery that is the Trinity.
A brief note about Identity:
Identity, as traditionally understood in logic, breaks down when applied to God because He transcends numerical limitations. The Full Interval Trinity Theory (FITT) acknowledges this and provides a coherent account of the logic of identity that goes beyond numerical equivalence. FITT presents God as the confluence of specific proportions, emphasizing the unity and interplay between the divine Persons. It recognizes the limitations of conventional identity concepts and invites us to approach the divine mystery of the Trinity with reverence, allowing for a deeper understanding of God’s self-relating love.
Recognizing that traditional concepts of identity break down when applied to God opens up a rich exploration of the divine nature, unified in the actuality and openness that, in some sense, characterizes the triune Persons. Here, scripture provides glimpses of this profound reality, inviting us to contemplate the mystery of God’s identity. For example, in John 10:30, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one.” This statement goes beyond a mere numerical identity and points to the profound unity of the divine Persons within the Trinity. Additionally, the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19 reflects the confluence of proportions within the Trinity, as Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This formulation captures the intricate interplay between the divine Persons and underscores the unique nature of their identity. The Full Interval Trinity Theory (FITT) provides a framework that resonates with these scriptural insights, allowing us to delve deeper into the mystery of God’s identity and His self-relating love. It invites us to approach this divine mystery with reverence and awe, acknowledging the limitations of our human understanding while embracing the invitation to participate in the profound reality of the Trinity.
I think the FITT coupled with DCIT (God is Immanentia Omnis: Divine Confluent Identity Theory (DCIT) for Solving the Simplicity/Trinity Problem – RobertDryer ), and our work on divine action theory should help one get a comprehensive framework for understanding the trinity. Enjoy!
TLDR Version: the article above, “FITT Revisited”, discusses a theory called the Full Interval Trinity Theory (FITT). This theory is a new way to understand the concept of the Trinity, which is the belief in God as three divine persons in perfect unity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The FITT uses a special equation to explain the relationship between these three divine persons and their qualities. The equation is (3)PA[DivAP, DivIO]=[Actus Purus, Immanentia Omnis]. Here’s what each part means:
– (3): Represents the three persons of the Trinity.
– PA: Stands for Pure Agency, which means the ability of each person of the Trinity to act and relate to other in perfection, they are the actuality of agency.
– DivAP: Stands for Divine Actualized Potential, which means each person of the Trinity fully expresses all divine qualities.
– DivIO: Stands for Divine Infinite Openness, which means each person of the Trinity is open to the infinite possibilities by being open to each other fully and perfectly.
– Actus Purus: Means Pure Actuality, which emphasizes God’s perfection and self-sufficiency.
– Immanentia Omnis: Means Divine Infinite Immanence (“all immanence in Latin”), which captures the sense of God’s presence and activity within creation.
The paper also discusses how the FITT relates to various passages in the Bible, and how it helps us understand the mystery of the Trinity and God’s nature. It ends by discussing how traditional ideas of identity don’t fully apply to God, and how the FITT provides a new way to understand God’s identity.
The paper also goes into say that the usual rules of identity don’t quite work when we’re talking about the Trinity. Instead, we need to think about God’s identity in a new way, which is what the FITT tries to do. It suggests that we should focus on the relationships between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and how they all share the same divine nature, and pushes for relations being fundamental. The paper also points to another paper that works on divine identity specifically (DCIT).
