SOME TRINITARIAN PHRASES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 28: 19)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. (2 Cor. 13:13)

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom. 8: 11)

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ (Gal. 4: 4-6)

The Concept of “”

"Trinitas" first used by Tertullian, writing in Latin, ca. 200.

"Τριάς" (Trias) first used by Theophilus of Antioch, writing in Greek, ca. 170 (referring to God the Creator, God’s Word, and God’s Wisdom)

Western developments . . . Trinity, Perugia, 14th c. Another Trinity, in Perugia, 14th c.? Trinity, Netherlands School, ca. 1500 Masaccio Trinity, 1425 Masaccio Trinity, 1425 “The Counsel of Redemption,” by Konrad Witz’ workshop, after 1444. Where does the Rublev “Trinity” come from?

Bust of Christ, Sinai, 6th century

Norms in the tradition: a. No depiction of b. Not naturalistic, not 3-D; “flat” (“stage set” backgrounds) c. Focus on the person or event depicted d. Focus on the eyes, as “windows” (ICON  “eye contact” e. Fosters spirituality of gazing, contemplation, f. Fosters sense of relationship, ever- deepening understanding

Bust of Christ, Sinai, 6th century THE HOSPITALITY OF (cf. “A Space at God’s Table,” Rohr, p. 28)

The LORD [YHWH] appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. . . .

They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?’ The LORD [YHWH] said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh?’ . . .

Then the men set out from there, and they looked towards Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD [YHWH] said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, . . . No, for I have chosen him . . . Then the LORD [YHWH] said, ‘How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! I must go down and see . . .’ So the men turned from there, and went towards Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before the LORD [YHWH]. . . .

The LORD [YHWH] went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and bowed down with his face to the ground. . . .

When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city.’ Ravenna, San Vitale church, mosaic of scenes from the life of Abraham, ca. 550 Ravenna, San Vitale church, mosaic of “Hospitality of Abraham,” ca. 550 “Hospitality of Abraham,” Athens, 14th c. Holy Trinity icon by Rublev, pre-1427 HolyTrinity church, Sergiev Posad (just east of Moscow) Iconostasis, Holy Trinity monastery, Sergiev Posad, ca.1425 Holy Trinity icon by Rublev, pre-1427 See “A (W)hole in God” (Rohr, p. 30)

Why I think Rohr is wrong about a physical mirror glued to the icon:

Glass technology came later

• Mirrors were made of polished metal in ancient and medieval times.

• First glass mirrors were round and convex (15th cent.)

• Flat glass developed in Venice in 16th century

Holy Trinity icon by Rublev, pre-1427 “Riza” (icon “vestment”) was provided for this icon by Tsar Ivan IV, by 1575. The idea of a mirror-like function is a good one, however, because . . .

. . . the very nature of an icon is to invite the viewer in, as a participant.

A Matter of Perspective? East vs. West, ca. 1425 THANK YOU!

And

Enjoy the Divine Dance!

- Anne G. Heck