Notes on the externally directed works of the Trinity (opera trinitatis ad extra):
1. Because the divine nature is one, there is one divine agency.
2. However, only persons, not natures, act. (This is missing in some post-2016 discussions.)
1. Because the divine nature is one, there is one divine agency.
2. However, only persons, not natures, act. (This is missing in some post-2016 discussions.)
3. In order to appreciate how divine persons act, we must distinguish agency and mode of agency.
4. There is a mental but not a real distinction between agency and mode of agency, due to divine simplicity.
5. There is however a real distinction between various modes of agency.
4. There is a mental but not a real distinction between agency and mode of agency, due to divine simplicity.
5. There is however a real distinction between various modes of agency.
6. Mode of agency corresponds to mode of subsistence; indeed, mode of agency *just is* mode of subsistence directed outwardly.
Accordingly:
7. The Father always acts through the Son and the Spirit.
Accordingly:
7. The Father always acts through the Son and the Spirit.
8. The Son always acts from the Father through the Spirit.
9. The Spirit always acts from the Father and the Son.
10. As a result of the incarnation, the Son always acts in two natures via two agencies that, in accomplishing and applying salvation, together effect one work.
9. The Spirit always acts from the Father and the Son.
10. As a result of the incarnation, the Son always acts in two natures via two agencies that, in accomplishing and applying salvation, together effect one work.
A great exercise would be to print these out, sit around a table with our Greek NTs, along with the biblical commentaries of Cyril of Alexandria, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas, and talk about it.
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