Journal: Global Journal of Classical Theology
Volume: GJCT 02:1 (Dec 1999)
Article: Relational Language in John 14–16: Implications for the Doctrine of the Trinity
Author: Harold F. Carl

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Relational Language in John 14–16:
Implications for the Doctrine of the Trinity

Harold F. Carl, Ph.D.

Chaplain
Berry College, Mt. Berry, GA

Introduction

The doctrine of the Trinity continues to be an issue in the Christian Church and on the campuses of “Christian” theological seminaries. Several prominent scholars who hold less-than-Trinitarian views of the doctrine of God, continue to be influential in the thought of the church.1

Along with this, pseudo-Christian cults who deny the deity of Christ, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, or some other aspect of the triune nature of God, are growing exponentially.2 These factors point to the necessity of more discussion of the doctrine of the Trinity and the relationship between the persons of the Godhead. This paper, intends to take the relational language of John 14–16 and apply it to the doctrine of the Trinity in that way.

“Relational language” is language which implies a relationship or discloses some aspect of the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It may come in the form of names and titles, prepositional, directional or spacial language, oneness motifs or reciprocity statements, personal, reflexive and possessive pronouns, or parallel language used in describing two or more of the persons of the Trinity. This study intends to demonstrate that the relational language used in John 14–16 discloses the unity and oneness of God in will, mind, action and essence. At the same time, it also implies equality, distinction and interaction between three distinct personal subsistences within the Godhead.

The scope of the use of “relational language” in this study will be limited to some of the more revealing passages of John 14–16. This block of text comprises the heart of the farewell discourse (13:1–17:26). These words are spoken by Jesus to the disciples, and not to the casual listener. They follow after the prediction of his death. In these chapters, more is said about the relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit than in any other place in the New Testament. On the other hand, Chapter 17, the High Priestly Prayer, is spoken to the Father. While it has tremendous didactic implications, it is not primarily the teaching of Jesus to the disciples as chapters 14–16 are. Much of what is said in Chapter 17 implies relationships al...

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