📘 Lexicon Entry: Interindependence

A relational ontology concept describing the mutual indwelling of distinct persons who find their true identity through reciprocal giving and receiving rather than through independence or absorption.

A theological and philosophical concept describing the fundamental structure of authentic relationship, where distinct persons or entities exist in mutual indwelling that preserves particularity while creating identity through reciprocal giving and receiving, offering an alternative to both individualistic independence and collectivistic absorption while grounding human relationship in trinitarian communion.

Primary Concept

relational ontology, mutual indwelling, reciprocal relationship, trinitarian theology, perichoresis, identity formation, authentic community

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Interindependence.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Human identity formed through relationship rather than isolation

Trinity provides model of unity-in-diversity for human community

Authentic relationship preserves rather than erases particularity

Love involves mutual self-giving that enhances rather than diminishes identity

Identity understood as either complete independence or total absorption

Relationship viewed as either competitive or codependent

Community formation requires elimination of distinctive identity

Love understood as either possessive control or self-negating submission

Mutual indwelling that preserves rather than erases distinction

Identity formation through reciprocal giving and receiving

Community that enhances rather than threatens individual particularity

Relationship characterized by neither domination nor submission

Love that creates rather than diminishes authentic selfhood

Rooted in trinitarian theology of divine persons in mutual communion

Developed through patristic concept of perichoresis (mutual indwelling)

Contemporary articulation in response to individualistic and collectivistic failures

Philosophical development in personalist and communitarian traditions

Political application in theories of democratic participation and subsidiarity

Trinity as perfect communion of distinct persons in mutual love

Incarnation as divine-human relationship that preserves rather than negates humanity

Church as community reflecting trinitarian communion in human relationship

Marriage as icon of mutual self-giving that creates rather than threatens identity

Jesus’s prayer for unity that preserves distinction: "that they may be one as we are one" (John 17:11)

Paul’s vision of diverse gifts in unified body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

Marriage as "two become one flesh" while remaining distinct persons (Ephesians 5:31)

Democratic institutions that balance individual rights with communal responsibility

Economic models emphasizing cooperation rather than pure competition or collectivization

Educational approaches that develop individual gifts within collaborative learning

Therapeutic models focusing on relationship healing rather than individual autonomy

Offers alternative to both liberal individualism and totalitarian collectivism

Provides framework for multicultural societies that preserve diversity within unity

Guides ecological thinking about interdependent systems and sustainability

Challenges dominant cultural narratives of either independence or dependence

Provides theological foundation for authentic community formation

Offers framework for addressing polarization through relationship rather than victory

Theological Studies: Investigation of trinitarian models for human relationship and community

Social Psychology: Analysis of how identity formation occurs through relational processes

Political Theory: Examination of participatory democracy and subsidiarity principles

Related Primary Concepts: Nova Effect, Christianism

Key Mutations: All mutations represent departures from authentic interindependent relationship

Contemporary Movements: Movements that either hyperindividualize or collectivize identity

Theological Alternatives: Being With, Relational Receptivity, Participatory Freedom

Historical Context: Trinitarian theology development, personalist philosophy, communitarian political theory

May 21, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*