Holy Spirit as communion : Colin Gunton's pneumatology of communion and Frank Macchia's pneumatology of Koinonia

• Main Author: Harris, I. Leon
• Published: University of Aberdeen 2014
• Subjects: 200; Holy Spirit
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648917

This thesis proposes a reading of Colin Gunton's and Frank Macchia's theology that emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as a necessary component of their respective thought. In this thesis I will argue that for both theologians the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is foundational to understanding their doctrine of God, Christology and Ecclesiology. First, by using a chiastic structure, I will demonstrate that each theologian has an approach to Pneumatology that places a particular stress on the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. By explicating the relationship between Pneumatology and Ecclesiology, it will be evident that both theologians view the Church as the eschatological perfecting work of the Spirit. Second, I will argue that God's being as a being-in-communion stresses the personhood of the Holy Spirit. Since God is the creator of the universe, through Gunton I will demonstrate that the doctrine of God has relevance for an understanding of our reality. Third, I will argue that for both theologians, Augustine's pneumatic analogy of 'bond of love' is adjudged inadequate and needs revision to secure the proper personhood of the Holy Spirit in relation to the Father and Son. The Holy Spirit is the person who perfects the divine nature and personhood of the Father and Son. Fourth, I will argue that Gunton and Macchia have developed a type of Spirit Christology: Gunton presents a radicalized version of Chalcedon and Macchia formulates his account through 'Spirit baptism.' Throughout the paper, I will demonstrate that Pneumatology is not isolated to establishing the deity of the Holy Spirit, sanctification or individual subjective illumination. Lastly, the doctrine of God, Christology, Ecclesiology and Eschatology cannot be construed without a proper account of Pneumatology that takes into consideration the eschatological and perfecting work of the third person.