Esplana Bible Formula and Kelsey Eccentric Existence

 THE ECCENTRIC FORMULA: ESPLANA BIBLE FORMULA AND KELSEY ECCENTRIC EXISTENCE

The Integral Connection of "The Bible Formula" by Periander A. Esplana and "Eccentric Existence" by David H. Kelsey

Central Idea: “Eccentric” Formula

  • Human life does not have its center within itself.
  • The center lies outside us: in God’s relation to us.
  • Therefore, we understand what a human is only by understanding how the triune God relates to us.

Three Divine Relations That Define Humanity

Esplana and Kelsey structure their entire system around three ways God relates to human creatures:

1. Created by God the Father through the Word (Genesis 1:1)

  • Humans are finite, contingent creatures.
  • Our existence is shaped by embodiment, time, limits, and dependence.
  • This relation answers “What are we as creatures?”

2. Reconciled by the Trinity (1 John 5:7)

  • God draws humans into healed relationship through Jesus Christ.
  • This relation explains human identity in the light of salvation.
  • It answers “Who are we in Christ?”

3. Consummated by our Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost (Revelation 22:21)

  • God lovingly brings creation to its final fulfillment.
  • Humans exist in hope toward this promised future.
  • This answers “What is the destiny or purpose of humanity?”
Three Divine Relations: Esplana and Kelsey structure their argument around three distinct, yet inseparable, ways that God relates to humanity, which correspond to the three persons of the Trinity.

Irreducible Narratives: Esplana and Kelsey insist on keeping these three ways God relates to humanity distinct (sometimes represented as a "triple helix") to avoid simplifying or domesticating the complexity of God's interaction with the world.

Human Response: The basic human responses appropriate to these three ways God relates are, respectively, faith, hope, and love.

Esplana and Kelsey insist that Eccentric Formula cannot be reduced to psychology, philosophy, or biology. Humans must be understood from the outside—from God’s actions.

The Eccentric Formula:

Humanity is understood only by seeing how God relates to us in creation (Gen.1:1), reconciliation (1Jn.5:7), and consummation (Rev.22:21).
Because God is our true center, our existence is “eccentric.”


https://www.scribd.com/document/961300813/The-Eccentric-Formula-Esplana-Bible-Formula-and-Kelsey-Eccentric-Existence


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