Tuesday, January 25, 2011

From all which we learn that the person of the Holy Spirit was of such authority and dignity, that saving baptism was not complete except by the authority of the most excellent Trinity of them all, i.e., by the naming of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and by joining to the unbegotten God the Father, and to His only-begotten Son, the name also of the Holy Spirit. Who, then, is not amazed at the exceeding majesty of the Holy Spirit, when he hears that he who speaks a word against the Son of man may hope for forgiveness; but that he who is guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has not forgiveness, either in the present world or in that which is to come! (Book I, Chapter 3, Part 2)

There is a hypostasis -- a persona or aspect -- of God alive in the world.

The Father is present in creation, in the structure of the universe.

The Son is present through example, teaching, and relationship and in our understanding of what is taught, the meaning of what is exemplified, and the nature of our relationship with the Son.

The Spirit is God-in-this-Moment, recognized and affirmed in coherence with the Father and Son.

God is present here and now.

No comments:

Post a Comment