TOmNossor;14194302:
I do not think I have changed your mind about much, but at least you will no longer claim consubstantial has one meaning or that numeric consubstantiality is modalism.
Let’s review:
The word homoousios had a variety of meanings in the 3rd century.
The theological meaning of homoousios was ironed out in the 4th century; therefore, had one meaning at the end of the century.
The word consubstantial is a 14th century English word and a translation of the one meaning of homoousios.
Therefore, consubstantial has always had one meaning.
I still claim that consubstantial has only on meaning, because you have not proven otherwise.
Well, at least I was half right. You will no longer say:
And we all agree that to understand it in the numeric sense is modalism; a heresy. And heresies are not what we believe.
This of course is because Father Davis and Dr. Cross embrace the “numeric sense.”
I want the whole enchilada, so …
Let me offer you this statement from Chalcedon:
consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood
Through out this thread, I have claimed the Catholic position is that these two uses of “consubstantial” had different meanings. It was long ago that I read Schaff, and I have seen this in numerous places since, but this is all I can find for you:
Ὁμοούσιος , consubstantialis (al. coessentialis ), is used in both clauses, though with a shade of difference. Christ’s homoousia with the Father implies numerical unity, or identity of essence (God being one in being, or monoousios); Christ’s homoousia with men means only generic unity, or equality of nature. ** Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical notes. Volume II. The History of Creeds. – Phillip Schaff**
So, again, are you going to maintain that consubstantial in the Chalcedon Creed has only one meaning. The ONLY folks who do this advocate that it has one meaning and that is “generic” oneness of substance.
So, can I get, “at least you will no longer claim consubstantial has one meaning or that numeric consubstantiality is modalism?”
You are free to embrace the social trinity. I don’t care. But the two scholars, David Kemball-Cook and Bryan Cross, you have referenced in this thread, both say the social trinity can not be embraced as a Christian understanding of the ONE God. It is polytheism. I agree with them.
I understand quite well what Cross and Cook say. They say the view Catholics have espoused concerning the Trinity is “unintelligible to us.” Dr. Cross embraces a theology that is unintelligible. Cook refuses to violate the law of non-contradiction, employs reason, and is a modalist. He says what you and Dr. Cross TRY to defend is either, “IMPOSSIBLE” or “CONTRADICTION.” Did you actually read through Cross and recognize who you have been quoting so favorably?
I am less monotheistic than a modern Jew, a Muslim, or Cook who is a modalist. I choose to embrace a theology that does not violate the law of non-contradiction. I still claim to be a monotheist AND that someone who claims three persons in God has no RATIONAL place from which to call me a polytheist.
I also believe that many times the Bible refers to “One God” the Bible means “The Father” and that the Father is the “fons totius divinitas,” There is subordination in my concept of the Trinity.
I think you really believe this, but it has been clearly referenced on this thread that the Mormon Church still teaches that God was once a man, and man can become God. One Mormon, gazelam, spent some time trying to justify this Mormon teaching.
While Christ never sinned, man does, and the Mormon Church claims man can become God. Reason would tell us that in Mormonism there is nothing truly unique about God or Jesus Christ; they are creatures just like man. To use a Christian word: Mormon’s claim God and humanity are consubstantial; of the same nature.
I am sincere when I say that I am happy that you believe I believe what I say I believe.
I believe God the Father was once a man just like God the Son was once a man, but neither were merely a man in the way I am merely a man.
I believe that men can become gods through the atonement of Christ. Christ became what we are so that we could become what He is. Christ did not partially become man so that we can partially become gods.
And, I hesitate to say this, but I do in fact believe that God and man are generically consubstantial. The divine nature is the communion into which we are called not some metaphysical substance or metaphysical non-substance (that was a big controversy for the early church too BTW). Christ kenotically emptied Himself of the perfect union (while never being totally disconnected with the POSSIBLE exception of a few minutes on the cross) He enjoyed with His Father to become human, to experience separation, culminating in His words, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
This is a beautiful truth to me, thus, “I hesitate to say this.”
Charity, TOm