| Though many divisions exist among Christians, God has gifted them individually and corporately as ecclesial communities with charisms so that they may be drawn together in divine love. The Trinitarian life of God models the perfect use of these charisms and the ideal state of communion between persons. In addition, a Trinitarian understanding of the charisms provides opportunities for ecumenical dialogue between the Christian traditions. This dialogue is facilitated by the trialectical interaction of Spirit (experience), Word (scripture), and Community (tradition). Each of the ecclesial traditions shares in these three fundamental sources for dialogue. The trialectical interaction of Spirit, Word, and Community is deepened by certain historical Trinitarian concepts such as perichoresis (mutual indwelling), Irenaeus' two hands of God metaphor, and Augustine's view of the Spirit as the bond of love between the Father and the Son. This trialectical and Trinitarian approach provides a way forward in the ecumenical conversation by offering a new starting point for the discussion.;The purpose of this study is to construct an ecumenical theology of the charisms that builds on complementary themes and concepts in the Pentecostal, mainline Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. This endeavor begins with an overview of current issues related to the study of the charisms followed by an historical survey of their significance in different Christian traditions. Next, special attention is given to the insights and trialectical dimension of select representative thinkers such as Miroslav Volf, Frank Macchia, and Amos Yong in the Pentecostal tradition, John Calvin in the Reformed tradition, and Thomas Aquinas in the Roman Catholic tradition. In conclusion, a renewed ecumenical discussion of spiritual discernment, ecclesiology, soteriology, and eschatology is provided in light of the charisms and Trinitarian theology. |
