<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The present paper situates the Western and Eastern models of divine agency within their respective ontological frameworks. I show how the Western conception of divine agency as the production of ‘created effects’ is rooted in a particular understanding of the relationship between transcendence and immanence, but also in a trinitarian ontology which understands God as pure actuality. On the other hand, the Eastern understanding of divine agency through the conceptuality of uncreated energies is similarly rooted in the real distinction between God’s nature and energies. Without trying to critique the Eastern model, I demonstrate one particular strength of the Western approach, namely its ability to distinguish between divine actions, which are inseparable, and divine missions, which are proper to the triune persons. Such a distinction enables us to affirm both the inseparability of triune operations, as well as the possibility of relations to distinct triune persons.</p></abstract>

The present paper situates the Western and Eastern models of divine agency within their respective ontological frameworks. I show how the Western conception of divine agency as the production of ‘created effects’ is rooted in a particular understanding of the relationship between transcendence and immanence, but also in a trinitarian ontology which understands God as pure actuality. On the other hand, the Eastern understanding of divine agency through the conceptuality of uncreated energies is similarly rooted in the real distinction between God’s nature and energies. Without trying to critique the Eastern model, I demonstrate one particular strength of the Western approach, namely its ability to distinguish between divine actions, which are inseparable, and divine missions, which are proper to the triune persons. Such a distinction enables us to affirm both the inseparability of triune operations, as well as the possibility of relations to distinct triune persons.

Triune Agency, East and West: Uncreated Energies or Created Effects?

Perichoresis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Triune Agency, East and West: Uncreated Energies or Created Effects?"}

The present paper situates the Western and Eastern models of divine agency within their respective ontological frameworks. I show how the Western conception of...

Triune Agency, East and West: Uncreated Energies or Created Effects?

Online veröffentlicht: 02. Juni 2020

Seitenbereich: 57 - 75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2020-0004

Schlüsselwörter
Created Effects, Uncreated Energies, Deification, Divine Action, Simplicity, Trinity

© 2020 Adonis Vidu, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Triune Agency, East and West: Uncreated Energies or Created Effects?

Online veröffentlicht: 02. Juni 2020

Seitenbereich: 57 - 75

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2020-0004

SchlüsselwörterCreated Effects, Uncreated Energies, Deification, Divine Action, Simplicity, Trinity

© 2020 Adonis Vidu, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Schlüsselwörter
Created Effects, Uncreated Energies, Deification, Divine Action, Simplicity, Trinity