Trinitarian Communion as Paradigm for Human Society

Our Image of God & Society The way we see God will affect the way we see society The way we see God will affect the way we see society A monadic, monarchical image of God will reinforce an absolutist, authoritarian, hierarchical model of society (one God= one emperor or king over one uniform society) replicated in all levels of society A monadic, monarchical image of God will reinforce an absolutist, authoritarian, hierarchical model of society (one God= one emperor or king over one uniform society) replicated in all levels of society A Trinitarian image of God will provide a communitarian model of society that promotes unity in diversity, equality in dignity, etc. A Trinitarian image of God will provide a communitarian model of society that promotes unity in diversity, equality in dignity, etc.

Understanding God as the Perichoretic Communion of the Three divine persons has an implication for the way we understand and shape our society. Understanding God as the Perichoretic Communion of the Three divine persons has an implication for the way we understand and shape our society. This view of the Triune God can both be a critique for existing societies and a paradigm for the kind of society we want to build in the future. This view of the Triune God can both be a critique for existing societies and a paradigm for the kind of society we want to build in the future.

Trinitarian Doctrine as Judge of Social Systems The Trinitarian communion can be the judge of the various systems (capitalism, socialism). The Trinitarian communion can be the judge of the various systems (capitalism, socialism). It can provide a basis for a critique to both these systems It can provide a basis for a critique to both these systems

Critique of Capitalism Capitalism promotes individualism and selfishness rather than communion. Capitalism promotes individualism and selfishness rather than communion. Liberal capitalist society in fact means dictatorship of the property-owning class with their individualistic business interests always shored up by mechanism of state control. Liberal capitalist society in fact means dictatorship of the property-owning class with their individualistic business interests always shored up by mechanism of state control. Such regimes have produced greatest divisions in history between the rich and poor, between races and between the sexes. Such regimes have produced greatest divisions in history between the rich and poor, between races and between the sexes.

Most of the misery of the world's poor, particularly those of the Third, is the result of the unchecked hunger for personal or business gain that is reinforced by the capitalist system, which today operates in a world-wide scale. Most of the misery of the world's poor, particularly those of the Third, is the result of the unchecked hunger for personal or business gain that is reinforced by the capitalist system, which today operates in a world-wide scale. From the perspective of Trinitarian communion, the liberal capitalist system stands condemned. While it values the individual, it fails to promote community, sense of responsibility, solidarity, sharing, etc. It is too individualistic. From the perspective of Trinitarian communion, the liberal capitalist system stands condemned. While it values the individual, it fails to promote community, sense of responsibility, solidarity, sharing, etc. It is too individualistic.

Critique of Marxist Socialism Socialism is a reaction to the excesses of capitalism. In its extreme form it has promoted collectivism and denied the rights of the individual person. Socialism is a reaction to the excesses of capitalism. In its extreme form it has promoted collectivism and denied the rights of the individual person. There is no full realization of the social dimension, starting at the base, involving personal relationships, building a network of communities which in turn become the basis for the organization of civil society. There is no full realization of the social dimension, starting at the base, involving personal relationships, building a network of communities which in turn become the basis for the organization of civil society. Bureaucratic imposition of social dimension does not produce a society of equality within the bounds of respect for differences, but one of collectivization with elements of massification. Bureaucratic imposition of social dimension does not produce a society of equality within the bounds of respect for differences, but one of collectivization with elements of massification.

Thus, while Marxist socialism emphasizes in theory equality and society, it fails to respect the rights and freedom of the individual. It promotes rigid uniformity. Thus, while Marxist socialism emphasizes in theory equality and society, it fails to respect the rights and freedom of the individual. It promotes rigid uniformity. The doctrine of Trinitarian communion judges this system as inadequate. It is not the kind of society that we dream of. The doctrine of Trinitarian communion judges this system as inadequate. It is not the kind of society that we dream of.

Trinitarian Communion as Model for Society In our struggle for social transformation and the building up of a truly human society, the Trinity can be a model of the utopian society that we are dreaming of. In our struggle for social transformation and the building up of a truly human society, the Trinity can be a model of the utopian society that we are dreaming of. The Trinity is the model of unity in diversity and equality in dignity that we dream of in human society. The Trinity is the model of unity in diversity and equality in dignity that we dream of in human society. It will be a society where there is a sense of belonging, caring for one another, sharing and participation It will be a society where there is a sense of belonging, caring for one another, sharing and participation

A society that takes its inspiration from the Trinitarian communion cannot tolerate class differences, dominations based on power (economic, sexual or ideological) that subjects those who are different to those who exercise that power and marginalizes the latter.

The sort of society would be one of fellowship, equality of opportunity... Only a society of sisters and brothers whose social fabric is woven out of participation and communion of all in everything can justifiably claim to be an image and likeness of the Trinity. The sort of society would be one of fellowship, equality of opportunity... Only a society of sisters and brothers whose social fabric is woven out of participation and communion of all in everything can justifiably claim to be an image and likeness of the Trinity.

If human beings and made in the image and likeness of God, then the kind of society we build should reflect the image of God as Trinity – a perfect communion of the Three divine persons.

Final Comments: While the “social doctrine” of the Trinity has become popular among theologians, the Church has not officially adopted this teaching. While the “social doctrine” of the Trinity has become popular among theologians, the Church has not officially adopted this teaching. Neither has the church condemned this teaching Neither has the church condemned this teaching It remains a meaningful and relevant especially for those who are struggling to build a truly human, just and free society It remains a meaningful and relevant especially for those who are struggling to build a truly human, just and free society