Distance

Can there be a Creator-creature distinction without the Trinity? It would seem not. For a unitarian theology “distance” is introduced only with the world; for a unitarian god to be at a distance, there must be something to be at a distance FROM. But because “distance” is not of the essence of a unitarian God, unitarian theologies must either affirm an absolute unrelatedness between God and the world or an ultimate identity. Either distance is utterly distance, or distance can never take hold.

Trinitarian theology supports a Creator-creature distinction because distance is of the essence of God. The Father is utterly at one with the Son, but at the same time the Word is “toward” God; each regards the other, and each gives to the other across the distance of their personal differences. Since distance is part of the divine essence, creation can be made at a real distance that is not utterly distance.