Draft 0.1, 28th October 2024
Sourcetheism is a theological framework that centers on the Father as the singular, ultimate source of all divinity. The name “Sourcetheism” is drawn from this foundational concept: the Father is the unique “source” or “fountainhead” of divine essence and authority, establishing Him as the one true God. This framework holds that while the Son and Holy Spirit are genuinely divine, their distinct identities reflect a unified relationship in which divinity is shared through the Father’s primacy. Sourcetheism seeks to remain faithful to biblical descriptions of the Father’s singular divinity, the Son’s full but derived divine identity, and the Holy Spirit’s active, yet mysterious, presence. Below are the core assertions of Sourcetheism, presented as labeled principles that encapsulate its foundational beliefs:
DS (Divine Source)
The Father alone is the one true God and the singular source of all divinity. His essence and authority are unique and unshared, making Him the ultimate origin and embodiment of the divine nature. All divine attributes flow from the Father, affirming His position as the foundational source of God’s being.
DD (Derived Divinity)
The Son possesses full divinity, yet His divine identity is derived from the Father rather than being self-originating. In this framework, the Son shares in the Father’s essence as one who has received authentic divinity from the Father, establishing a unique, relational bond in which the Father remains the source.
DI (Distinct Identities)
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each embody distinct identities within the Godhead. The Father is the Creator and Sovereign, the Son is the Redeemer and the incarnation of divine presence, and the Holy Spirit is God’s active power and presence in creation and within believers. Each identity expresses a unique aspect of the divine essence and God’s relationship with humanity.
RU (Relational Unity)
The Father, Son, and Spirit maintain distinct identities within a unity of essence and purpose. This unity does not require equal origin but rather a relational harmony in which the Father is the source, the Son is the fully divine expression, and the Spirit is God’s active presence. This unity upholds the oneness of God while honoring each distinct identity.
HSM (Holy Spirit Mystery)
The exact nature of the Holy Spirit’s relationship to the Father and Son is left open to divine mystery. While the Spirit is recognized as essential and active in God’s work, Sourcetheism refrains from defining the Spirit’s precise ontological status, allowing room for a reverent approach to the Spirit’s mysterious place in the Godhead.
SF (Scriptural Fidelity)
Sourcetheism is rooted in a careful interpretation of scripture that affirms the Father’s primacy as the “one true God,” the Son’s fully derived divinity, and the Spirit’s mysterious and active presence. It emphasizes fidelity to biblical passages that reflect this relational structure without imposing rigid definitions, allowing for depth and openness in understanding.
NCD (Non-Competitive Divinity)
There is no competition within the Godhead; the Son’s and Spirit’s identities do not challenge or diminish the Father’s unique status as the one true God. The Son’s derived divinity and the Spirit’s enigmatic presence coexist with the Father’s singularity, presenting a united Godhead without equal origins or independent divinity.
UD (Unity Through Diversity)
The Father, Son, and Spirit’s distinct identities provide diverse expressions of God’s engagement with humanity, yet this diversity does not disrupt divine unity. Each person reveals a unique aspect of God’s nature while affirming the Father’s singular essence as the ultimate source.
EE (Experiential Engagement)
Sourcetheism emphasizes a relational, experiential faith in which believers relate to the Father as the one true God, the Son as Redeemer, and the Spirit as the empowering presence within. This framework allows for a personal, integrated experience of God that aligns with each divine identity.
RDM (Respect for Divine Mystery)
Sourcetheism maintains a humble respect for the mystery of God’s nature, particularly regarding the Spirit’s relationship to the Father and Son and the unique nature of the Father-Son relationship. Rather than exhaustive definitions, it encourages reverence and acknowledges the limits of human understanding in grasping the fullness of God’s complex nature.
In sum, Sourcetheism provides a theological approach that affirms the Father’s primacy as the one true God, recognizes the Son’s fully derived divinity, and honors the Holy Spirit’s mysterious identity, preserving unity without enforcing complete equivalence. It seeks to respect both the unity and complexity within the Godhead, balancing clarity with a 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.
Stephen D Green, using ChatGPT, October 2024
