Subordinationism

Definition and Meaning

Subordinationism (Korean jongsongnon, 從屬論) derives from jongsok, a term meaning "to be attached to or dependent upon." It refers to the view that the Son and the Holy Spirit are essentially dependent on the Father and are lesser beings than he. The view arose from controversies surrounding the doctrine of the Trinity.

Theologians distinguish between two concepts:

• Ontological subordination: the claim that the Son and the Holy Spirit are inferior to the Father in essence, divinity, and eternity. The orthodox church regards this as an error.
• Economic submission: the Son's following and obeying the Father's will in the work of salvation. Here "economy" refers to God's plan and work of accomplishing salvation. This submission is understood not to imply any difference in essence, and most denominations accept it.

Biblical and Historical Background

Among the passages cited by subordinationists are "my Father is greater than I" (John 14:28) and 1 Corinthians 15:28, which speaks of the Son being subject to the Father. The orthodox church interprets these passages as referring to the Son's state in the Incarnation, in which he became man, or to his submission in the work of salvation. It also emphasizes the equality of the Son and the Father on the basis of passages such as "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30) and Philippians 2:6.

Subordinationist language appears frequently among the second- and third-century Church Fathers (the theologians of the early church). Justin Martyr placed the Logos, that is, the Son as the Word, in the "second place" after the Father. Origen likewise has passages describing the Son as lower than the Father. Many scholars hold that because these expressions predate the development of precise Trinitarian terminology, they cannot be judged straightforwardly by later standards.

This tendency was carried to its most extreme form in Arianism, which regarded the Son as a creature. In 325 the Council of Nicaea rejected Arianism by confessing that the Son is "of one substance" (homoousios) with the Father. In 381 the Council of Constantinople affirmed the divinity of the Holy Spirit as well. Subordinationism, together with modalism, which erases the distinctions among Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is regarded as one of the principal views that depart from the doctrine of the Trinity.

In the Korean Church

The major Protestant denominations in Korea—Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, Full Gospel, and Anglican alike—share the Trinitarian confession of the Nicene Creed. The Westminster Confession of Faith, which Presbyterians adopt as a doctrinal standard, confesses that the three persons are "of one substance, power, and eternity." Consequently, ontological subordinationism is not recognized as orthodox in any denomination.

When Korean denominations judge Jehovah's Witnesses to be heretical, they often cite the group's denial of Christ's full divinity. This denial is classified as belonging to the Arian and subordinationist line of thought. Jehovah's Witnesses, for their part, maintain that their view is a monotheism faithful to Scripture.

More recently, a debate over the "eternal functional subordination" of the Son arose in American evangelical circles and has since been introduced in Korea. This view holds that the Son, while equal in essence, eternally submits to the Father's authority. Supporters regard this as an order among the three persons, while critics argue that it ultimately leans toward subordinationism. The debate is also intertwined with discussions of women's ordination and the roles of men and women.