God by Any Other Name?

Abstract

“Father, Son and Holy Spirit” is not a name for God, but a doxological convenience; a mode of reference to the transcendent mystery that is condensed in Jesus’ person and work. It therefore ought to be possible to refer to God differently without referring to a different God, to use other “names” for God that are just as true to the triadically structured mystery revealed in the economy of God’s salvation. Those who argue that this breaks the semantic link with the narrative of God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ neglect the subjective and pneumatological aspect of our address to God.

The Possibility of a Gender-Transcendent God: Taking Macmurray Forward

“…38 Despite this promising realization though, Fullerton goes on to state: 'Except for its importation of an illicit masculinity into the life of God, the language of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" scarcely bears improvement'. 39 This statement betrays Fullerton's failure to grasp the significance of the 'impartation of an illicit masculinity into the life of God', which, as feminist theologians argue, isolates women and supports male dominance.…”