Subordinationism and the Holy Trinity

[fictionwriter]

What is Subordinationism? And how does “Subordinationism” effect the doctrine of the Triune Godhead?

Recently I heard of a doctrine being taught in protestant, evangelical or charismatic churches which is designed to promote church authority. Simply stated the doctrine teaches that Jesus, the Son is in submission to God the Father, and then that the Holy Spirit is in submission to both God the Father and the Son. And then as disciples we are to be submitted to a local church authority. Now I believe in submission to authority, within common sense and a biblical balance. But what do you think of this submission within the Triune Godhead between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Is this “Subordinationism” and doesn’t this impy a hierarchical view of the Trinity, and the inferiority of the Son and the Spirit. Does this not do damage to the biblical view of the Holy Trinity?

 

[ricmat]

What is Subordinationism? And how does “Subordinationism” effect the doctrine of the Triune Godhead?

Recently I heard of a doctrine being taught in protestant, evangelical or charismatic churches which is designed to promote church authority. Simply stated the doctrine teaches that Jesus, the Son is in submission to God the Father, and then that the Holy Spirit is in submission to both God the Father and the Son. And then as disciples we are to be submitted to a local church authority. Now I believe in submission to authority, within common sense and a biblical balance. But what do you think of this submission within the Triune Godhead between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Is this “Subordinationism” and doesn’t this impy a hierarchical view of the Trinity, and the inferiority of the Son and the Spirit. Does this not do damage to the biblical view of the Holy Trinity?

This article might be of some help. Scroll down to the heading “**The Hierarchy/Patriarchy of the Trinity”

**

 

[Ron_Conte]

Yes, there is a type of subordination within the Trinity, based on procession. The Father, Son, and Spirit have the same Nature, and so they are co-equal as God. But the Son is entirely dependent on the Father for all that He is, and the Father is not dependent, since the Son proceeds from the Father, and the Father does not proceed. So there is a limited type of subordination in the Trinity. Similarly, the Spirit proceeds from Father and Son, and so He is dependant on the Father and Son for all that He is. So the idea is sound.

Tertullian: “Thus the Father is distinct from the Son, being greater than the Son, inasmuch as He who begets is one, and He who is begotten is another; He, too, who sends is one, and He who is sent is another….”

Irenaeus: “The Father is indeed above all, and He is the Head of Christ….”

[John]
{5:19} Then Jesus responded and said to them: "Amen, amen, I say to you, the Son is not able to do anything of himself, but only what he has seen the Father doing. For whatever he does, even this does the Son do, similarly.