Thread by @ref_andrew

Meredith G. Kline and the Trinity, Christology, and Pneumatology: A Thread

(h/t to my @OFADpodcast co-host Caleb Castro for sourcing this, though he is not on Twitter and won't see this, probably) 1/10

In 2006, Meredith Kline published God, Heaven, and Har Magedon, his last book before his death about a year later. GHHM has already appeared in this series as it was where Kline most clearly articulated his doctrine of the Sabbath, against the Westminster Standards. 2/10

In chapter 2 of GHHM, Kline posits his doctrine of Endoxation, wherein the Holy Spirit is said to undergo a permanent change in taking on a created form, something akin to the Son's incarnation. (quotes from pp. 13-17) 3/10

This also, by the way, is a particular example of how Kline's writing style is just...unusual. If you're having trouble reading those quotes and tracking with what is being said, you would not be the first. Yet it is in what is clearly stated that trouble can be found 4/10

The best that could be said about this idea of Endoxation is that it is novel and speculative. I cannot find another theologian who uses it. But the real trouble is where this seems to lead Kline next. 5/10

Kline argued on pages 15 and 16 of GHHM that this Endoxation of the Spirit is prior to the Incarnation of the Son, and that "It is a desideratum," (i.e. it is needed or wanted) that the creeds and confessions should be amended to say... 6/10

...that the Son is not merely eternally begotten of the Father, but also *eternally* begotten (filiated) of the Holy Spirit--in some instances reversing the order of the Persons. 7/10

It seems that Kline is trying to push the economical relations between the Persons observed in the Incarnation (the conception of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit resting on/empowering/anointing Christ, and the Transfiguration) back into eternity. 8/10

In my mind, this sounds similar methodologically to the error of EFS/ESS/ERAS, in which the Son's submission to the Father in the Incarnation (economic submission) is read back into eternity and into the ontology (being) of God. 9/10

Now remember, Kline's trade was as an Old Testament scholar and biblical theologian. This is what he is remembered and praised for. Yet here he is very clearly wading deep into the waters of systematic/dogmatic theology and proposing revisions to the ecumenical faith. 10/10

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