The Trinity and the Church: Towards a Participatory Ecclesiological Vision

Abstract

This chapter seeks to clarify the nature and scope of God’s involvement in the making of community. Two major approaches seem to be at the forefront of the contemporary ecclesiological conversation. The first approach—imitatio Trinitatis—focusses on the concept of church as an image or icon of the triune God. The second approach—participatio Trinitatis—examines the relationship between Trinity and church in terms of the believer’s participation in the divine life as unveiled in history, with an emphasis on dynamic personal interaction, indwelling and sharing, both among the believers and with God. Upon assessing the main proposals, prospects and limitations of these two Trinitarian approaches, this chapter recommends the participatio Trinitatis approach as a more promising methodological route for Adventists to pursue in their ecclesiological construction. According to this participatory vision, the ecclesially constitutive, Spirit-mediated activity of God in Christ is seen as a pivotal factor in determining the shape and orientation of believers’ common participation in him.