Thesis Chapters by Audrey E McCormick
A chasm has formed dividing Evangelical Christians on the topic of authority within the intra-Tri... more A chasm has formed dividing Evangelical Christians on the topic of authority within the intra-Trinitarian fellowship. The debate hinges upon the question: Does the Trinity embody an eternal hierarchical structure with the Father established in a position of supreme authority over the Son and the Spirit, or does the Trinity share authority coequally? The dynamic responses to this question are represented in two distinct views. One view argues that the persons of the Trinity are equal in essence and being, but Jesus is eternally subordinate to the Father in role and function. Furthermore, this view argues that women must maintain a subordinate role in Church and family in order for God’s community to properly bear the image of God as a hierarchical community. The opposing view maintains complete coequality within the Trinity in both essence and functionality and seeks to reject all notions of subordination within the Trinity. This paper surveys Nicene Trinitarian theology and demonstrates how contemporary subordinationist ideologies are a departure from classic Nicene Trinitarian theology. It also demonstrates how contemporary subordinationist ideologies were developed in response to the women’s movement in an effort to maintain theological grounding for female subordination. It is argued that subordinationist ideologies should be dissolved in an effort to return to the root system of Nicene Trinitarian theology.
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Thesis Chapters by Audrey E McCormick