Trinity and Will

[derekohachey]

I hope that this is a simple question, and I hope that I can find a resource that clearly explains this.

Is the “Will” a function of one’s Nature or Person? I believe that according to the fully developped chalcedonian doctrine of the Trinity that Jesus had two wills (one divine and one human), although I might be wrong here.

If this is true, does that mean that the whole God head has one will or does each person in the Trinity have his own will?

Thanks,
Derek

 

[Moontown_Rabbit]

A partial answer is found in Luke when Christ is praying in the garden.

‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ - Luke 22:42

There appear to be at least two wills within the Trinity.

 

[JimG]

In the essence, or nature, of God, which is one, there is but one will. Each person of the trinity fully possesses the one essence, they do not share or split the divine essence.

Since will resides in the nature, and there is but one divine nature, there is but one divine will.

Jesus is one Person with two natures. Consequently, since will arises from the nature, in Jesus there are two wills, the human and the divine.

When Jesus prays to the Father, “not my will but yours be done,” he is praying as a human being, in his human nature, referring to his human will. His divine will is one and the same as the father’s divine will.

 

[awatkins69]

In the essence, or nature, of God, which is one, there is but one will. Each person of the trinity fully possesses the one essence, they do not share or split the divine essence.

Since will resides in the nature, and there is but one divine nature, there is but one divine will.

Jesus is one Person with two natures. Consequently, since will arises from the nature, in Jesus there are two wills, the human and the divine.

When Jesus prays to the Father, “not my will but yours be done,” he is praying as a human being, in his human nature, referring to his human will. His divine will is one and the same as the father’s divine will.

 

[derekohachey]

Thanks for clarifying this. My initial impression though was that the will should be an attribute of the person rather than the being (nature, susbstance).

According to Sheed, we differentiate nature from person in characterizing nature as what we are, and correspondingly the capacities our nature gives us. He characterizes person as “who we are”, which utilizes our nature. I would tend to classify our “wills” as part of who we are rather than what we are.

Perhaps I am missunderstanding the definition of will.

I hope this is not too confusing, and thanks for the responses to date on my question.

Thanks,
Derek

 

[JimG]

Thanks for clarifying this. My initial impression though was that the will should be an attribute of the person rather than the being (nature, susbstance).

According to Sheed, we differentiate nature from person in characterizing nature as what we are, and correspondingly the capacities our nature gives us. He characterizes person as “who we are”, which utilizes our nature. I would tend to classify our “wills” as part of who we are rather than what we are.

Perhaps I am missunderstanding the definition of will.

I hope this is not too confusing, and thanks for the responses to date on my question.

Thanks,
Derek

Our nature determines what we are and what we can do. Our person does and wills the things we choose to do as a person. In Jesus’ case, his single Person could, and did, use both his human will and his divine will.

 

[derekohachey]

Thanks JimG for chimming in on this one. I guess I get diverted on a point you’re expressing here:

Our person does and wills the things we choose to do as a person

It seems like the Will should be an attribute of the person rather than the nature. I’m just grappling with this and I’m sure that I may just be misunderstanding a definition here.

Thanks & God Bless,
Derek