Week #2: Perichoresis: Understanding the Dance of the Trinity
Blog Series Intention Recap
Water in three forms? A four-leaf clover? A mystery? The Trinity defies easy explanation, but its beauty is no less real. This four-week series explores the doctrine of the Trinity and reveals how a greater appreciation of the Trinity sheds light on what we understand about the Father’s love, the Son’s gift of salvation, and the Spirit’s invitation to community.
This post is part of the series “Trinity.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into Week #2:
Perichoresis, often described as the divine dance, helps us understand the intimate relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Trinity.
Why it matters:
Perichoresis describes the mutual indwelling of the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
This concept highlights the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity.
Understanding perichoresis deepens our appreciation of God’s love and relational nature.
It encourages us to reflect on this divine relationship in our interactions with others.
Go Deeper
The Trinity is one of the core beliefs in Christianity, teaching that God is one in essence but exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A term that helps us understand this relationship is perichoresis. This word describes how each person of the Trinity lives in perfect harmony with the others. It's like a divine dance, where each person moves in sync with the others, showing unity and love.
What is Perichoresis?
Perichoresis is a Greek word that means mutual indwelling. It refers to how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist within each other. Imagine a dance where three dancers move so perfectly together that their movements become one. This image pictures perichoresis for us.
The Trinity: One God, Three Persons
The Trinity means that God is one, but exists in three persons. Each person of the Trinity is fully God, sharing the same essence. However, they have different roles. Here’s a brief look at each person of the Trinity:
God the Father: The Father is the creator and sustainer of everything. He loves us and has a plan for our salvation.
God the Son (Jesus): Jesus is God who became human. He lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again to give us eternal life.
God the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit lives in believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering us to live for God.
Perichoresis in Action
Perichoresis shows how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in their love and purpose. They work together in everything, from creation to salvation. Here are some examples:
Creation: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The Father spoke the world into existence, the Son (the Word) was the means through which everything was made, and the Spirit hovered over the waters, bringing life and order.
Jesus’ Baptism: When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove. The Father spoke from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This event shows the three persons of the Trinity working together in harmony.
Salvation: The Father sent the Son to save us. The Son died on the cross for our sins and rose again. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives when we believe in Jesus, helping us to follow Him and grow in our faith.
The Unity and Distinct Roles of the Trinity
Perichoresis helps us understand the unity and distinct roles within the Trinity. Although the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have different roles, they are never separated. They work together perfectly in all things.
The Father’s Role: The Father is the source of all things. He plans and initiates everything, including our salvation. He loves us and wants a relationship with us.
The Son’s Role: Jesus, the Son, carries out the Father’s plan. He came to earth, lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again. He reveals the Father to us and makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God.
The Spirit’s Role: The Holy Spirit applies the work of the Son to our lives. He lives within us, guiding, teaching, and empowering us. He helps us to understand God’s Word and to live out our faith.
The Relational Nature of God
Perichoresis shows us that God is deeply relational. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit love each other perfectly and work together in everything. This relationship within the Trinity is the model for our relationships with others.
God’s Love: The love within the Trinity is perfect and self-giving. The Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and the Spirit shares in this love. This perfect love is the basis for God’s love for us.
Our Relationships: Understanding perichoresis helps us to see that we are created for relationships. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live in perfect unity, we are called to live in loving relationships with others. We are to reflect the love and unity of the Trinity in our families, churches, and communities.
Reflecting the Trinity in Our Lives
Knowing about perichoresis and the Trinity can help us in our daily lives. Here are some ways this understanding can make a difference:
Growing in Love: As we see the perfect love within the Trinity, we are inspired to love others selflessly. We can show God’s love by being kind, patient, and forgiving.
Building Unity: Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united, we can strive for unity in our relationships. This means working together, supporting one another, and seeking peace.
Living with Purpose: Understanding the roles within the Trinity helps us see that we each have a unique role to play in God’s plan. We can use our gifts and talents to serve others and bring glory to God.
How does this help me understand “Trinity?”
Perichoresis, the divine dance of the Trinity, helps us understand the close relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It shows us how each person of the Trinity is distinct, yet united in love and purpose. This understanding deepens our appreciation of God’s relational nature and inspires us to reflect His love in our own lives. As we grow in our knowledge of the Trinity, we can build stronger relationships and live with greater purpose, knowing that we are part of God’s beautiful plan.
