Perichoresis

[Paul DeBaufer]

A friend posted the following essay on FaceBook, it is about Imago Dei and perichoresis: The Marlboro Man (http://www.facebook.com/sisterlisa?v=wall&story_fbid=155832231106027&ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment_reply#!/topic.php?uid=63197767809&topic=15711).

As I was unfamiliar with the term perichoresis I Googled it. Interesting etymology meaning to dance together. As a trinitarian concept I like the term. As I can't afford to buy books at the moment and don't have a decent library near I thought I'd see if we could get a discussion going on this theological concept.

Of the articles I read on-line the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perichoresis)one was the most satisfying.

Does the concept of perichoresis fit into our Wesleyan theological framework? I am drawn to what little I have read due to its relationalness.

[Ryan Scott]

It's the only concept I'm comfortable with to speak about the Trinity. I think this is mostly because its a fluid analogy. Like dance, the Trinity is a concept that we can't nail down. It's all about relationship and creativity.

[Paul DeBaufer]

There is a Shaker song, Lord of the Dance which always resonated with me, then last night when I looked up the etymology of perichoresis it made sense:

I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced for the scribe & the pharisee
But they would not dance & they wouldn't follow me
I danced for fishermen, for James & John
They came with me & the Dance went on:

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced on the Sabbath & I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame!
They whipped & they stripped & they hung me high
And they left me there on a cross to die!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body & they thought I'd gone
But I am the Dance & I still go on!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
(...lead you all in the Dance, said He!)

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the Life that'll never, never die!
I'll live in you if you'll live in Me -
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!

Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!