The Harmony of Trinity and Divine Simplicity Revisited
Last time I approached this topic, I explored it through the lens of identity. This time, I will approach the topic from a different perspective, utilizing principles, metaphysics, and theological reflection to directly address the issues (a more “holistic” approach). The goal is to coherently articulate that God is One in His simplicity and essence, Three in His subsistent relational Persons, and dynamic in His fully actualized transcendence and immanence, which constitute His complete existence in the singular act the Trinity is. Enjoy!
In the quest for theological coherence, we seek to weave together the seemingly paradoxical notions of Divine Simplicity and the Trinity with principles that explore the multifaceted dimensions of the Divine life. To do this we’re going to briefly explore relationality, revelation, sacramentality, immanence, transcendence, and participatory metaphysics in the divine-human interaction and how they help one to paint a picture of these two great doctrines together.
Divine Simplicity posits God as an absolute, unified entity, a singular essence without parts or attributes, where His existence is His essence, a concept that eliminates any form of complexity or composition within the Divine (see CCC 212). This notion, the ultimate is simple and most general, seems to stand in contrast to the Trinity, a foundational Christian doctrine that professes one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each distinct yet fully and completely God, sharing the same Divine Essence. However, the Trinity is just a name to a face of whatever the ultimate is. So if the ultimate is simple the Trinity is simple too.
One way to see how this works is to employ a Relational Ontology and something like my Principle of Interval Relational Being, which together serve as lenses through which we can understand the interconnectedness and relationality within the Godhead. Relational ontology is just the notion that relations are inherent to reality, it’s primitive as it gets. The Principle of Interval Relational Being posits that the essence of existence is fundamentally relational, emphasizing not merely the individual entities but the nuanced, dynamic interactions and profound interconnectedness occurring within the intervals or relational spaces between them, a concept especially pivotal in theological discourse on the Trinity, where it illuminates the intricate, intertwined existence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each distinct yet forming a unified whole through their relationality within the divine Godhead.
These two principles illuminate that the Persons of the Trinity are not isolated parts but are the very subsistent relations within the singular Divine Essence. If we’re baptized concretely in a triad of persons but the single truth of one name then in we have already been saved by participating in this essence. The persons and their perfect unity underscore the intricate relationships within the Godhead, emphasizing not just the individual entities but the spaces or intervals of relationality, no contours, that the profound interconnectedness and interdependence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are: forming a dynamic unity that is the Trinity.
Revelatory Metaphysics and the Principle of Divine Dynamic Actuality deepen our comprehension of the Trinity as not a static entity but a dynamic and responsive Divine Being, progressively revealed through divine interventions and the lived experiences of the Christian community. These principles harmonize the transcendent and immanent aspects of the divine, showcasing God’s dynamic interactions with creation and within the Godhead, while preserving the unity and simplicity of the Divine Essence.
Sacramental Integration and Participatory Metaphysics draw us into a profound and transformative encounter with the Divine, allowing believers to be integrated into the relational life of the Trinity and to actively partake in God’s essence. Participatory Metaphysics refers to the active engagement and participation of believers in the divine reality, aligning with the Catechism’s emphasis on the call to participate in the divine life through grace (CCC 1996-2005). And there’s nothing more graceful than partaking in the Eucharist which is the full body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord. These principles signify a deep, reciprocal connection between the Creator and the created, where humanity is not merely a passive observer but actively engages with the Divine, symbolizing their participation in the life of the Trinity through sacraments like the Eucharist and spiritual practices like prayer.
Divine Immanence and Transcendence articulate God’s dual nature as both intimately present within creation and transcending it, existing beyond the limitations of the created world. This duality portrays God’s active involvement in the world and His existence beyond the limitations of time and space, maintaining a delicate balance between His closeness to creation and His supreme otherness. In this context, the mention of “duality” does not imply a dualistic ontology but rather serves to articulate the congruent and fully actualized immanence and transcendence of God, portraying the delicate balance between His closeness to creation and His supreme otherness. The use here seeks to integrate these diverse aspects of the divine, offering a richer, more nuanced insight into the nature of God, who is One in His simplicity and essence, Three in His subsistent relational Persons, and dynamically actual in both His transcendence and immanence.
The Gospel Integration vividly illustrates the harmonious interaction between the Father, in Jesus, by the Spirit, embodying the dynamic and immanent aspects of the divine. It depicts the Father as the source and Creator, whose will and love are manifested in Jesus, the Son, the visible image of the invisible God, with the Holy Spirit actively guiding, empowering, and sanctifying believers in the world. Gospel Integration refers to the incorporation of the Gospel message into one’s life, embodying the teachings of Jesus Christ, with the Catechism emphasizing the importance of accepting and living according to the Gospel message (CCC 124-127).
In conclusion, by integrating these profound principles with the concepts of Divine Simplicity and the Trinity, we attain a harmonious and coherent insight into the Divine mystery. This contemplative synthesis fosters a richer, more nuanced understanding of a God who is One in His simplicity and essence, Three in His subsistent relational Persons, and dynamically actual in both His transcendence and immanence. It invites us into deeper reflection and reverence, allowing us to perceive the divine in a more integrated and holistic manner, revealing a God who is as intimately involved with His creation as He is supremely transcendent above it.
In summary here’s another way to look at the above.
Premises:
Premise 1: Divine Simplicity posits God as an absolute, unified entity without parts or attributes, where His existence is His essence.
Premise 2: The Trinity is a foundational Christian doctrine professing one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each distinct yet fully and completely God, sharing the same Divine Essence.
Premise 3: Relational Ontology and the Principle of Interval Relational Being posit that existence and the essence of existence are fundamentally relational, emphasizing the interconnectedness and relationality within the Godhead.
Premise 4: Revelatory Metaphysics and the Principle of Divine Dynamic Actuality suggest that the Trinity is a dynamic and responsive Divine Being, progressively revealed and harmonizing the transcendent and immanent aspects of the divine. (Revelatory Metaphysics is the study of reality and existence based on divine revelation, aligning with the Catechism’s emphasis on God revealing Himself to humanity progressively and fully by sending us His beloved Son, the Word made flesh (CCC 50-73).)
Premise 5: Sacramental Integration and Participatory Metaphysics allow believers to be integrated into the relational life of the Trinity and to actively partake in God’s essence, symbolizing their participation in the life of the Trinity through sacraments and spiritual practices.
Premise 6: Divine Immanence and Transcendence articulate God’s nature as both intimately present within creation and transcending it, maintaining a balance between His closeness to creation and His supreme otherness.
Premise 7: The Gospel Integration illustrates the harmonious interaction between the Father, in Jesus, by the Spirit, depicting the Father as the source and Creator, with the Holy Spirit actively guiding, empowering, and sanctifying believers in the world.
Conclusion:
Given these premises, we can conclude that by integrating the principles of Relational Ontology, Interval Relational Being, Revelatory Metaphysics, Divine Dynamic Actuality, Sacramental Integration, Participatory Metaphysics, Divine Immanence, Transcendence, and Gospel Integration with the concepts of Divine Simplicity and the Trinity, a harmonious and coherent insight into the Divine mystery is attained. This insight fosters a richer, more nuanced understanding of God, revealing a God who is One in His simplicity and essence, Three in His subsistent relational Persons, and dynamically actual in both His transcendence and immanence, inviting deeper reflection and reverence and allowing a more integrated and holistic perception of the divine.
