Perichoresis and Personhood: God, Christ, and Salvation in John of Damascus

by Charles C. Twombly, Myk Habets (Foreword)

Perichoresis (mutual indwelling) is a concept used extensively in the so-called Trinitarian revival; and yet no book-length study in English exists probing how the term actually developed in the "classical period" of Christian doctrine and how it was carefully deployed in relation to Christian dogma. Consequently, perichoresis is often used in imprecise and even careless ways. This path-breaking study aims at placing our understanding of the term on firmer footing, clarifying its actual usage in relation to doctrines of God, Christ, and salvation in the thought of John of Damascus, the eighth-century theologian, monk, and hymn writer who gave it its historically influential application. Since John summed up a whole theological tradition, this work provides not only an introduction to his theological vision but also to the key themes of Greek patristic thought generally and thereby lays an essential foundation for those who would dig deeper into the present-day usefulness of perichoresis. "Those who have delved deep in the resources of patristic theology for the sake of theological renewal have long seen the concept of perichoresis as a vein of gold. But few have explored to sufficient degree the term's complexity and versatility. Twombly's book shows us how much potential treasure lies hidden by offering an extended meditation on the most fundamental structures of John Damascene's 'perichoretic theology.' His study is greatly to be welcomed and offers much to any student of early Christian thought." --Lewis Ayres, Professor of Historical Theology, Durham University, Durham, UK "I recently set out looking for a reliable guide to the concept of perichoresis in the thought of John of Damascus, only to discover with surprise and disappointment that such a book seemed not to exist. How could that be given the concept's popularity and John's undisputed importance in its shaping? I still have no answer to that question, so far as the past is concerned, but I am delighted to report that on this score the future is brighter. There is a sure-footed, intelligent, and thorough guide on this topic. You are holding it in your hands." --Kendall Soulen, Professor of Systematic Theology, Wesley Theological Semimary, Washington D.C. "Perichoresis is an inexhaustibly attractive idea, invoked in Trinitarian revivals, and essential, some believe, to an understanding of the divine fellowship for which we humans were made. In this wonderfully lucid study of John Damascene, Charles Twombly provides what is most needed to ground contemporary a discerning account of what perichoresis has historically meant, not only to this 'last of the Fathers' but to the cumulative tradition he bequeathed to Christendom, East and West." --Carol Zaleski, Professor of World Religions, Smith College, Northampton, MA Charles C. Twombly (PhD, Emory) is a historical theologian who has taught theological courses at Wesleyan College (Georgia), the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, Erskine Theological Seminary (Augusta campus), and the Pacific Association for Theological Studies (Seattle). He has published essays, reviews, and poetry in several different journals, including Crux, Christianity Today, and First Things.

Genres: Theology, Christianity

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2015

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most Christians in Church or parishioners in the pews have never heard of perichoresis. To them it will likely sound like a bad skin disease. But hopefully most pastors, theologians and Church history buffs are at least mildly familiar with the concept, recognizing that it is an extremely important notion with regard to the inner life of the Trinity. Charles C. Twombly, a historical theologian who has taught in several seminaries and has been published in Crux, Christianity Today and First Things, has pulled together a new addition to the Princeton Theological Monograph Series with his 132 page paperback, "Perichoresis and Personhood: God, Christ, and Salvation in John of Damascus." This densely argued work lays out John of Damascus's idea of perichoresis, and how it works in his teaching on the Trinity, Christology and soteriology. Those subjects make up the three central chapters of the work.

"Perichoresis and Personhood" examines "how a key theological term, perichoresis, functions in the thought of John of Damascus" (1). Yet the study goes deeper into the background bubbling up from the deep pool of Gregory Nazianzus, Athanasius, Leontius of Byzantium, Leontius of Jerusalem, and the councils of Chalcedon and Constantinople. Twombly's thought is that John of Damascus took an already existing term and concept, stretched it and filled it in, so that the term could give "greater clarity to the Trinity, the Incarnation, and salvation" (6).

The main idea is that perichoresis becomes a means by which "identity and difference" are maintained. Whether talking about the Trinity, Christology or God’s saving humans, there is an association that involves a relationship of mutual indwelling, but a mutual indwelling that is without confusion, blending, merging.; a union-without-absorption (42). Perichoresis "in a Trinitarian context refers to what is beyond creation," that is, God’s own inner relationships; but also is used to "express other relationships as well, most especially that of Christ's two natures." It can likewise be used, along with other terms, to express "the relation of humans to God in salvation" and "God's providential presence in the governance of the world" (27).

Though most readers-in-the-know would connect perichoresis to the Trinity and Christology, the author emphasizes that John of Damascus applied the concept to human salvation; the salvation of specific people who, through the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, enter into union with Christ. This participation that holds together identity and difference, equates a person with Christ, without them being swallowed up in his divinity, or their absorbing him in their humanity (102). And this mutual indwelling of God and redeemed humans, this perichoretic relationship, reflects the Trinity’s inner relationship, for what “is true of God and of Christ by nature becomes in an appropriate measure available to humanity by grace” (105).

“Perichoresis and Personhood” will likely interest specialized readers, those interested in and trained in Church history; nevertheless with a little effort interested readers can make it through the book profitably. The technical language is explained and worked out, but a notepad and a pen lying close by will make it easier to track the flow of ideas and concepts and navigate the areas most confusing. Though there are annoying editorial glitches at places in the book, they should not keep this book from being useful to Seminary libraries, theologians, Patristic scholars, Church historians, or pastors. I recommend the book.

My thanks to Pickwick Publications and Wipf and Stock for the free copy of the book used for this review.

[Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

John of Damascus: "For with the uncircumscribed Godhead we cannot speak of any difference in place, as we do with ourselves, because the [hypostaseis] exists in one another [en allalais gar al hypostaseis eisin], not so as to be confused, but so as to adhere closely together as expressed in the words of the Lord when He said, 'I in the Father and the Father in me."

Twombly on the communication of idioms: "On the basis of the one hypostasis embracing both natures as truly its own, one can speak of the humanity of Jesus as if it were preexistent. By the same reasoning, one can say that the eternal Lord of Glory had been slain. Each saying applies to the whole Christ what in fact can only be strictly attributed to one of the natures. But, since each nature has only the Logos for its hypostasis, anything said of it or him automatically can be attributed to the other."

This is an excellent piece of scholarship on John Damascene. Charles Twombly shows us how John of Damascus utilized the concept of perichoresis in his doctrines of God, Christ, and salvation. Through the employment of this concept in these loci, John was able to bring together the tensions of unity and difference in these doctrines. Twombly shows us how for John, Chalcedonian logic and post-Chalcedonian developments are useful for Trinitarian theology and soteriology. John's notion of perichoresis also helped him to defend against the threatening teachings of Nestorianism and Monophysitism. Excellent and rich insights here on patristic Christology! This is an adapted form of Twombly's dissertation, and the author writes and argues very clearly. I dare say this is one of the best theological works I have read so far this year.

Points for further research in my doctoral studies:
- the spatial implications of God's uncircumscribed nature, as well as the spatial implications of perichoresis
- John's potential use of Stoic and Aristotelian physics in understanding the unity and difference of the two natures in Christ

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exploration of the concept of perichoresis in the writings of John of Damascus.

The author set the context for John of Damascus and works through his major work on the Christian faith to explore how John of Damascus used the idea of perichoresis in his understanding of theology, Christology, and salvation. In terms of theology and Christology perichoresis is seen as the means by which John was able to well elucidate the "one in three" nature of the Godhead and to thread the needle between Nestorianism and Monophysitism.

A detailed but valuable consideration of perichoresis and its explanatory power in Christian theology.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful intro to Perichoresis in thought of John of Damascus

Christians who struggle with the Trinity or Christology are not unique, The concepts are challenging. These doctrines evolved over time. John of Damascus writing in 8th century using concept of perichoresis or mutual indwelling provides important clarification. In this book Charles Twombly introduces us to John’s contribution.

[Youssef Mansour · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly the hardest 100 pages I’ve ever read. Interesting ideas but not presented in an interesting way at all

[David]

Lots to chew on here. I'm already planning a second read-through.