New Theological Framework
DS (Divine Source)
The Father alone is the one true God and the unique source of all divinity, embodying the full essence and authority of the Godhead.
DD (Derived Divinity)
The Son is fully divine, yet His divinity is derived from the Father, establishing a relationship in which He shares the Father’s essence authentically.
DI (Distinct Identities)
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each possess distinct identities: the Father as Creator, the Son as Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as God’s active presence in creation.
RU (Relational Unity)
The Father, Son, and Spirit maintain a unity of essence and purpose, rooted in the Father’s primacy and expressed through relational harmony within the Godhead.
HSM (Holy Spirit Mystery)
The Holy Spirit’s relationship to the Father and Son is left as a divine mystery, allowing for reverence and open exploration of the Spirit’s unique role.
SF (Scriptural Fidelity)
This framework is based on a careful interpretation of scripture that honors the Father’s primacy, the Son’s derived divinity, and the Spirit’s active presence.
NCD (Non-Competitive Divinity)
Within the Godhead, there is no competition; the Son’s and Spirit’s divine identities do not diminish the Father’s unique status as the one true God.
UD (Unity Through Diversity)
The distinct identities of the Father, Son, and Spirit reveal different aspects of God’s nature while upholding divine unity through the Father as the ultimate source.
EE (Experiential Engagement)
Believers are encouraged to relate to God personally: the Father as the one true God, the Son as Redeemer, and the Spirit as the empowering presence within.
RDM (Respect for Divine Mystery)
This framework values humility in understanding God’s nature, recognizing the limits of human comprehension and encouraging reverence for divine mystery.
Correction
DI (Distinct Identities)
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each possess unique, identifiable presences within the Godhead. The Father is the source of all creation and authority; the Son is the Word made flesh, embodying redemption and revealing God’s nature; and the Holy Spirit is God’s indwelling and sustaining presence, actively empowering, guiding, and sanctifying creation. Unlike the Father’s manifestations as “Angel of the LORD,” which signify direct, protective actions, the Holy Spirit operates as an ever-present force of divine interaction, uniquely filling, moving upon, and influencing individuals, as seen with King Saul, the prophets, and at Pentecost. This distinct identity sets the Holy Spirit apart from the Father, emphasizing His unique relational engagement within the Godhead.
