Cheryl Schatz

Mark #233,

You said:

Where do you NOT blend their persons?
Frank your research is no doubt extensive and you continue to pursue the idea that the early church denied distinction in roles somehow- I disagree. The whole battle the early theologians faced was a subordinationism of essence. I think you are wrong to read back into that debate a subordinationism of function.

“blending their persons” means that one attempts to make them into one person. When one says that they believe in three persons who are in an intimate relationship with each other, that cannot be a “blending of their persons”.

Also subordination of function necessitates a subordination of essence. If, for example, the Father is said to have more power than the Son, then that function must be tied into the person’s nature for power and authority are part of God’s essence. God is omnipotent. If the Son would have less power and less authority to use His will and power, then He is no longer omnipotent. I understand your desire to hold to the complementarian view of God because it is helpful in your view of women, but I would like to gently encourage you to try to understand the issue of essence. God’s power and authority cannot be divorced from His essence.

If Jesus was raised as a physical human man, and is now seated at the right hand of the father, what now is his ‘role’ in your opinion? If Jesus still has his humanity now and according to egalitarians, that is the ONLY thing that makes him subordinate, how is he not then eternally in that position? Maybe you think his humanity is now insignificant?

Jesus is a resurrected human and He will be sitting in a place of judgment shortly. All judgment has been given to Him. When He completes His return to earth and earthly reign and the 1,000 years and future judgment are complete, He gives back into the Father’s hands everything that the Father has turned over to Jesus alone.

I really recommend you to get a copy of The Trinity Eternity Past to Eternity Future for my two sections on the second DVD will fill in all the gaps for you. Email me if you would like a deal on the shipping to Australia.

As far as Jesus eternal subordination, no that will not continue. The Godhead will be seen as ONE in eternity with no role divisions. Again, I recommend that you get a copy of the DVD because it will make it much easier to dialog on this subject.

Also, I have received a request to invite you to my post at http://strivetoenter.com/wim/2009/10/31/women-on-trial/ where I have placed three segments of my talk that deals with a trial against two of God’s women. There are many of us who would like to have you interact with the material. I still have another 3 or 4 segments to post, and I will try to get them all up within the next week.

Again, welcome back Mark. I think I can speak for us all that we really missed you! You are a joy to have on this blog even if we disagree. We love to talk about our disagreements and even in the end if we must agree to disagree, I believe that we can be as iron sharpening iron.