Correlations between Social Distancing and Trinitarian Relationality through a Psychological and Theological Analysis: Christian Counseling Implications

For this literature based study, the dynamics between social distancing practices of Covid-19 and trinitarian relationality as well as their implications for Christian counseling are explored. To investigate the relationally oriented triune God the concept of perichoresis and the mechanisms of God's relating to us as expounded by such theologians as Augustine, Gregory Palamas, and Karl Rahner are discussed. The two theological constellations of Bubler's I and Thou and Moltmann's theology of the cross are presented to examine both positive and negative consequences of social restrictive measures of Covid-19 may have on the concept of relationally designed trinitarian God and on Christians. As a way of connecting social distancing behaviors and trinitarian relationality to Christian counseling, three therapeutic suggestions are offered: employing Frankl's logotherapy of meaning finding approach, utilizing virtual on-line group counseling techniques implementing Christian liturgies, and drawing from people's intimacy with God and cohesiveness with family members.