Relational Theism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
Relational Theism is a Christian theology that stresses relationships, especially the idea that God enters into genuinely reciprocal relationships with humanity. It begins with the Triune God, who dwells infinitely in the relationship of Father, Son, and Spirit. A highly dynamic aspect of God is his/her ability to have an internal dialogue. God exists in perfect relationship within himself, and within this relationship is found all meaning, unity, and purpose for and in Life. We share this relational aspect of God with one another, and with creation as well.
Contents |
[edit] Creation
God created humanity as relational beings. As such, our first and foremost relationship is meant to be with the Triune God. Next, humans are to relate to one another. Finally, humans exist in relationship with all of creation. These relationships, like the Triune relationship, are meant to be pure, self-giving, and intimate.
[edit] Fall
Humanity disrupted its relationship with God through an act of hostile rebellion, rebelling against God's superiority and it's place of relational submission; since God is the Creator and maintainer, while humanity is God's creation and apprentice. Damaging their perfect relationship with God, humanity came to be at odds with one another, further damaging their inter-relational being. Finally, the creation was affected by the corrosion of relationship, as humanity began to relate to the earth in unhealthy ways as well.
[edit] Redemption
Redemption through Christ is seen as the beginning of a restoration of relationships, beginning with humanity's relationship with God, extending to one another, and even restoring how humans relate to the creation. Christ himself took the first step of reconciling the divine and the human by becoming incarnate (merging as both fully divine and fully human), birthed into humanity through Mary, his fully human mother.
Christ identifies with humanity so completely, as to become the very sin of humanity, thereby putting sin to death through his own death, and resurrecting from the grave, which reversed the curse of eternal death for all humans who came to identify with Christ.
The Church is the first act and institution of Christ, tasked to restore human relationships. It is a community of believers (those who believe that Christ has reconciled God and humanity, and therefore all relationships), who seek to dwell in perfect community with one another, together seeking perfect relationship with God.
The Church is also the witness to God on earth, and the means through which all might come to believe in Christ, and be reconciled to God through him. Therefore, the Church stands as a mediator between God and humanity. It is through sincere and intimate relationships with followers of Christ that those still outside of community with God will come to know and be reconciled to God, through Christ, by the witness of the Church community.
Finally, those who have been reconciled to God, and one another, seek to reestablish a healthy relationship with the creation. This means learning to dwell in harmony with animal life, the earth and her resources, and being ecologically aware and active.
[edit] Conclusion
Relational Theism sees relationship as the most essential aspect of Christ and Christianity. They embrace those doctrines necessary for Christian faith, while holding lightly to those doctrines which are debatable and non-essential. Relational Theists are able to easily cross denominational boundaries, and also seek relationships with those who are not of the faith or who are of other faiths. They work together with all humanity for the replenishing of the earth's resources, wherever possible, and to maintain and help the ecological system to thrive, creating balance once again between human existence and the existence of all creation.
Above and before non-essential doctrine, they seek authentic relationship with God and one another.
[edit] Relational Theism & Openness Theology
The term Relational Theism has at times been used interchangeably with Open Theism and Free Will Theism, though these are merely sprouts of Relational Theism that deal with God's foreknowledge. Relational Theism itself contains a much broader spectrum, which includes not only God's relationship with humanity, but humanity's relationship with one another as well as their relationship with creation.
John Sanders mentions an idea he calls Relational Theism in his book "The God Who Risks". There is an ariticle in the Denver Journal [1] about this. Sanders himself does not go further with the term, other than a brief mention and a loose connection with his Openness views. While Relational Theism indeed seems to work well with Openness Theology, it works outside of that perspective as well. Relational Theists do not propose to understand the complexity of God and his dealings with the future.
[edit] Additional Links
See also:
Clark Pinnock: Homiletics Online article: [2]
Richard R. Gaillardetz definition of relational theism, which he also calls trinitarian theism, lines up more closely with the definition found here. [3]
