Trinity Discourse pg 109 Flashcards
What does Jonathan Edwards describe as the essence of the Trinity, particularly focusing on the roles of the Son and the Holy Spirit, in the first part of his “Discourse
nathan Edwards explains the Trinity by starting with God’s infinite happiness in self-contemplation, which produces a “perfect idea of Himself,” effectively a divine replication. This concept introduces the Son as the “express and perfect image” of God, embodying God’s glory, wisdom, and essence (“logos” and “Amen”).
he mutual love between the Father and Son manifests as the Holy Spirit, described as a “pure act” or “Deity in act.” The Holy Spirit represents the love between the Father and Son, vitalizing creation and comforting believers
Edwards highlights that believers’ communion with God involves partaking in the Holy Spirit, a theme underscored in the New Testament through Paul’s greetings that often mention the love and grace of the Father and Son, alongside the communion of the Holy Ghost.
How are the distinctions between understanding, will, and love different in God compared to humans?
Divine Unity of Understanding, Will, and Love
In God, there are no distinctions between power or habit and act, nor between faculties such as understanding, will, and love; these aspects exist as one unified, simple act. This unity contrasts with human experience, where perception, idea, reasoning, judgment, and the expressions of will and love are distinct processes. God’s divine perfection entails a direct, unvaried presence of His infinitely perfect idea and a unified will and love, reflecting a level of simplicity and perfection beyond human comprehension.
How are God’s understanding and love related to His self-comprehension?
God’s Self-Comprehension and Love
God’s understanding and wisdom are encapsulated in His perfect self-awareness, being the “all-comprehending Being.” Similarly, God’s love is expressed through His love for and delight in Himself, not as narcissistic self-love but as a perfect and complete love that is intrinsic to the divine nature.
Image the act of the light reflecting upon itself also symbolizes God’s love. This reflection is not born out of a need or lack but is an expression of perfect, complete love that is inherent to God’s nature. Unlike the human conception of self-love, which can carry connotations of narcissism or deficiency, God’s self-reflection and love are the natural state of His being—unlimited, unconditional, and infinitely enriching. The light’s interaction with the mirror—each beam of light fully recognizing and delighting in its own existence and essence—captures the idea of God’s love for and delight in Himself.
How does divine love differ from self-love?
Divine love, as described by the Apostle John, is fundamentally different from what is commonly understood as self-love. While self-love is inward and self-centered, divine love is an “affection or virtue” that is outward-looking and relational, emphasizing a pure, outgoing nature contrary to the concept of self-love.
What does the unity of love, complacency, and joy in God signify?
he unity of love, complacency (satisfaction or delight), and joy in God’s self-love suggests these are not distinct phenomena but different expressions of the same reality. Unlike in humans, where love and satisfaction might be distinguishable, in God, they are essentially the same, differing only in mode or circumstance.
What is the significance of the Godhead’s begetting through God’s self-idea and the mutual love between the Father and Son in Trinitarian doctrine?
he begetting of the Godhead, initiated by God’s idea of Himself, results in the distinct subsistence of the Son. A pure, infinitely holy, and sweet energy characterizes the relationship between the Father and Son, manifesting in mutual love and delight. This interaction, rooted in Proverbs 8:30, represents the most essential and perfect act of the divine nature, showcasing the Godhead’s capacity for infinite action. This mutual affection and delight are not passive but actively express the divine essence, paving the way for the procession of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the active, relational essence of the Deity.
How does the dynamic expression of love and joy within the Godhead relate to the procession of the Holy Spirit?
Within the Godhead, the divine essence is dynamically expressed as love and joy between the Father and Son, which is considered the ultimate realization of divine activity. This act of mutual love and delight is so profound that it leads to the “breathing forth” of the divine essence itself, resulting in the emergence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is thus understood as the “Deity in act,” highlighting that the essence of God’s activity is the act of will, embodied in the eternal and perfect love shared within the Trinity. This underscores the Holy Spirit’s unique role and procession as stemming directly from the relational, active essence of the Godhead.
What does the term “spirit” signify in Scripture when related to the mind, and how does this understanding apply to the “Spirit of God”
Understanding “Spirit” in Scripture
In Scripture, the term “spirit” concerning minds signifies the disposition, inclination, or temper of the mind, rather than the spiritual substance or mind itself. This is evidenced by various passages (Num. 14:24, Ps. 51:10, Luke 9:55, etc.) that discuss the spirit as embodying a particular moral or emotional quality. When referring to the “Spirit of God,” it similarly denotes the divine mind’s disposition, temper, or affection. The Spirit of God embodies God’s characteristics, such as meekness, kindness, and holiness, and is ultimately understood as a manifestation of God’s infinite love.
How does the concept of God’s “temper” or “disposition” being love relate to our communion with the Holy Spirit?
The Nature of God’s Spirit and Our Communion with It
God’s temper or disposition is described as love, highlighting that He is infinite love. This understanding of God’s nature clarifies that there is no distinction between His disposition towards love and His expression of it; they are one and the same. Believers partake in God’s divine nature through communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:4), which means sharing in God’s essential disposition of love. This communion allows believers to embody the love that characterizes God’s nature, bridging the divine and human through the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit.
Why is the Holy Spirit especially denominated as “Holy” compared to the Father and the Son, who are also infinitely holy?
Holiness and the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is particularly called “Holy” to denote a peculiarity in how holiness is attributed to Him, distinct from the Father and the Son. This peculiarity arises because holiness is directly seated in the temper, disposition, and exercise of a mind, and the Holy Spirit embodies God’s infinite love towards Himself—the essence of divine holiness. The designation “Holy” for the Spirit highlights the unique manner in which the Spirit manifests and communicates this divine holiness and love, both within the Godhead and to creation.
How is the holiness of God, particularly as manifested in the Holy Spirit, understood in relation to love?
Divine Holiness as Love
he holiness of God, especially as manifested through the Holy Spirit, is fundamentally understood as God’s infinite love towards Himself. This divine holiness, characterized by the Spirit, is not merely a moral attribute but the infinite beauty and excellency of God’s nature, which is love. This conceptualization of holiness as rooted in love extends to creatures, wherein holiness imparted by the Holy Spirit transforms the believer, opposing the inherent corruption or “flesh” with divine, holy “spirit.” This is supported by John 3:6, illustrating the transformative and regenerative work of the Holy Spirit in believers, making them holy through the indwelling and sanctifying presence of the Spirit.
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the creation and beautification of the universe according to Genesis 1:2 and Job 26:13?
Office of Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a pivotal role in bringing order, life, and beauty to creation. Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the chaotic waters, initiating the process of creation that transforms chaos into harmony and beauty. Similarly, Job 26:13 illustrates the Spirit’s role in garnishing the heavens, attributing the beautification and order of the celestial realm to the Holy Spirit’s action. This reflects the Holy Spirit’s nature as the eternal and essential act and energy of God, making Him uniquely suited to actuate, enliven, and impart beauty and joy throughout creation, embodying the divine beauty and joy of the Creator Himself.
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying created spirits, and how is holiness related to divine love according to Scripture?
Office of Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit sanctifies created spirits by imparting divine love, which Scripture identifies as the universal spring and principle behind all holiness, true grace, and virtue. This divine love, communicated by the Holy Spirit, is the same love present within the Godhead, shared with creatures to the extent they can partake in it. The sanctification process involves the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts as a vital principle, transforming us into living temples of the Holy Ghost. This divine act of love makes believers partakers of the love, joy, and beauty shared between the Father and the Son, fulfilling the gospel’s depiction of fellowship with God.
How does the Holy Spirit facilitate fellowship between believers and the Father and Son, and what does this signify about the nature of divine love?
Office of the Holy Spirit
When individuals are regenerated and sanctified, the Holy Spirit pours forth upon them, enabling fellowship with the Father and Son. This fellowship is characterized by sharing in the divine attributes of love, joy, and beauty. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the impartation of divine love signify that believers are made partakers of the Godhead’s essence, essentially becoming embodiments of divine love. This is echoed in 1 John 4:12–13, where the Apostle John equates God’s Spirit dwelling in us with love dwelling in us, highlighting that experiencing and sharing divine love is tantamount to having the Holy Spirit reside within, further solidifying the believer’s communion with God.
How does Scripture depict the relationship between love in Christians and the Holy Spirit?
Office of the Holy Spirit
Scripture often equates the presence of love in Christians with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, portraying it as the Spirit’s primary and most natural expression in the soul. Verses like Philippians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 6:6, and Romans 15:30 highlight that actions and emotions of genuine love are direct manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s activity within believers, indicating that divine love is both a fruit and evidence of the Spirit’s presence.
