Trinity, Perichoresis, and Christian Marriage: Thinking, Feeling, and Acting Like the Trinity

Abstract

This article proposes two new applications of the concept of perichoresis for husband–wife relations in Christian marriage. These new applications, derived from the concept of perichoresis and the doctrine of Trinity, develop the ideas of I-Thou-We (ITW) consciousness—“Thinking and feeling in unity like the Trinity”—and of inseparable operations—“Acting in partnership like the Trinity.” The outline is as follows: First, a brief survey of the biblical basis and patristic development of the concept of perichoresis will be presented. Second, the ideas of ITW consciousness and of inseparable operations will be explained. Third, a practical application of these concepts will be illustrated with a hypothetical description of a husband and wife planning and completing a home remodeling project.