Eternal functional subordination

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Eternal functional subordination (EFS) or Eternal subordination of the Son (ESS) is a Trinitarian doctrine among some New Calvinist theologians that proposes a hierarchy within the trinity. In this view, though the Son is ontologically equal to the Father, he is subordinate in role, obeying the Father in eternity. The view is contested among scholars and has been used to justify complementarianism.

History

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Advocates of eternal subordination generally see this as a model for human relationships. EFS is contrasted with the view held by Augustine, where the obedience of the Son to the Father is only by virtue of His human nature. Two prominent modern advocates of EFS are Wayne Grudem and Bruce Ware, though they often use the monicker "eternal relations of authority and submission" to further nuance their view.[1][2][3][4][5]

Grudem asserts that the Son eternally submits to the Father, emphasizing that authority is not an inherent attribute of God but rather a feature of relational dynamics within the Trinity. While Grudem denies that the doctrine of eternal subordination entails three separate wills in God, he maintains that God possesses a single will expressed uniquely through the three persons of the Trinity.[6][7] However, its critics have argued that Wayne Grudem's view of the divine will is contradictory.[8]

Grudem argued that EFS has been affirmed by many theologians within the last few centuries, including Carl F. H. Henry, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Ryrie, Charles Hodge and others. However, his interpretation of some of these theologians has been challenged.[9][3]

Although EFS has been used to justify complementarian views, it has gained criticism from both complementarian and egalitarian theologians.[10][11][12] EFS has been criticized by theologians such as Glenn Butner, Matthew Barrett, Michael Bird, R. Scott Clark and Kevin Giles.[10][13][14][12][15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Trinitarian Agency and the Eternal Subordination of the Son: An Augustinian Perspective". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  2. ^ Gatewood, Timothy. "Why Should Evangelicals Reject the Eternal Subordination of the Son? Michael Bird and Matthew Barrett - Credo Magazine". credomag.com. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  3. ^ a b "Another Thirteen Evangelical Theologians Who Affirm the Eternal Submission of the Son to the Father". www.reformation21.org. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  4. ^ Sazo, Timoteo (2023-02-23). "Eternal Functional Subordination of the Son (EFS), Part I: Why It Misunderstands God". The Washington Institute. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  5. ^ "Question & Answer: The Orthodox Presbyterian Church". opc.org. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  6. ^ Grudem, Wayne (2016). "Why a denial of the Son's eternal submission threatens both the Trinity and the Bible" (PDF).
  7. ^ Grudem, Wayne. ""Biblical Evidence for the Eternal Submission of the Son to the Father"" (PDF).
  8. ^ Butner, Jr., Glenn. ""Eternal Functional Subordination and the Problem of the Divine Will"" (PDF). JETS. 58/1: 131–49.
  9. ^ "A Response To Grudem's Appeal To Hodge On Eternal Subordination". theaquilareport.com. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  10. ^ a b Butner, Jr., Glenn. ""Eternal Functional Subordination and the Problem of the Divine Will"" (PDF). JETS. 58/1: 131–49.
  11. ^ "Rescuing Complementarianism". The Heidelblog. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  12. ^ a b "The Eternal Subordination of the Son Controversy: Survey of Some Relevant Material". www.reformation21.org. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  13. ^ Gatewood, Timothy. "Does Eternal Subordination Compromise Biblical Orthodoxy? Liam Goligher and Matthew Barrett - Credo Magazine". credomag.com/. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  14. ^ "Eternal Subordination". The Heidelblog. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  15. ^ Bird, Michael F., and Scott D. Harrower, eds. 2019. Trinity without Hierarchy : Reclaiming Nicene Orthodoxy in Evangelical Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic.