The Thomistic Institute Contemplating Personhood and the Trinity | Fr. Timothy Bellamah, O.P.
May 26, 2025
Fr. Timothy Bellamah, O.P., an ordained priest and scholar with a deep expertise in theology, delves into the complexities of personhood within the Trinity. He explores how divine relations define personhood, emphasizing the balance of unity and distinction in God's nature. The discussion highlights the evolution of the term 'person,' contrasting its theatrical origins with its theological significance. Bellamah also connects historical philosophical views on individuality and dignity to contemporary ethical debates, enriching our understanding of what it means to be a person.
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Distinction of Divine Procession
- The distinct concept of procession in God differs from causation by lacking dependence in being.
- Procession leads to subsistent relations like the Son and the Spirit as persons within the Trinity.
Origin and Development of "Person"
- The term 'person' originally referred to theatrical masks or roles, not intimate identity.
- Christian use develops 'person' to express unity and distinction particularly in God and Christ.
Boethius' Definition of Person
- Boethius defined a person as an individual substance of a rational nature.
- This excludes universals, accidents, non-rational beings, leaving humans, angels, and God as persons.