Trinity Paper received by GA

by Ray Waddle

Congregations Invited To Study

A theological study of the Trinity, received by the General Assembly in June, bloomed into a summer media storm that left some Presbyterians confused or frustrated about the study's impact on the denomination. The study focuses on language of the Trinity and suggests supplementary words (but not replacements) for "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" that might be helpful and revitalizing to churchgoers. Opponents complained it departs from traditional doctrine.

Ultimately, though, the report does not mandate or dictate any changes in church teaching or practice. Supplemental metaphors — for instance, "Rainbow, Ark and Dove" or "Compassionate Mother, Beloved Child and Life-Giving Womb" — are not designed to replace Father, Son and Holy Spirit. After debating the matter, the General Assembly decided to "receive" the report rather than fully adopt it. Churches are invited to study it.

When the dust-up settled down a few weeks later, at least one church in the Synod decided to seize the moment and ask the bigger questions behind the issue — What is the Trinity? Why is it important? What are the boundaries of orthodox belief?

In February, Westminster Presbyterian in Nashville plans to hold a weekly series of discussions. These will be led by visiting Presbyterian scholars and will focus on the meaning of the Trinity, perhaps the most mysterious and difficult of Christian doctrines.

Voices around the Synod agree that churches need to be alert to opportunities to teach central doctrines like the Trinity in this age of The Da Vinci Code, the mega-popular novel and movie that denies Jesus' divinity, theorizes that Jesus was married, and accuses the church of a vast cover-up.

"The overarching focus (of the February program) will be to strengthen our understanding of trinitarian doctrine," says Guy Griffith, associate pastor for adult education at Westminster church.

"This will give us a chance to read the report and see what's actually in it. The report lifts up the idea that Scripture itself uses different forms of talking about the Trinity, but the report doesn't back away from traditional trinitarian language, especially around baptism."

Entitled "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing," the study was five years in the making, written by a team of ministers and scholars. Its aim is to provide practical and biblically sound guidance that helps the church renew its faith in the triune God. These days, the doctrine of the Trinity "is not so much denied as often given merely formal assent or perhaps neglected altogether," one panelist writes.

"For many Christians, including many Presbyterians, the doctrine of the Trinity is not only dark and confusing; it is also without practical significance for everyday Christian faith and life," writes Daniel Migliore, a theology professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and member of the panel producing the report. "This Report has as its aim to help members of our churches find once again in this central doctrine of Christian faith 'good and joyful news.' "

The use of supplementary designations for the Trinity, he says, aims to "bring out some particular aspect of the infinite riches" of the Trinity as found in the Bible.

"Such namings or ways of imaging and speaking of the triune reality and activity of God do not replace the traditional designations. Nor are they chosen arbitrarily. They are mined from Scripture. When understood within the context of the gospel story, they expand and enrich the language of praise of and prayer to the triune God."

These reassurances did not stop critics from charging that some of the alternative metaphors are unbiblical, confusing or divisive in a time when tensions in the denomination are high already.

Some leaders in the Synod said the Trinity simply isn't a top-priority issue in the pews compared to the economy, the war or global warming.

But others said local study of the Trinity report would be a good idea.

"Something we've often failed to do is take seriously our role as teaching elders," said William dePrater, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Mississippi.

" ... I feel some people get upset about things they haven't read. It's helpful to read the paper and be informed. They might still be angry, but they'll be informed."

Phil Leftwich, executive presbyter of the Middle Tennessee Presbytery, says he is pleased that Westminster church is stepping forward to keep an important discussion going that goes to the heart of Christian identity.

"In a post-Christian world, the Trinity separates Christianity from other philosophical ideas," he says. "This is an opportunity for really good conversation."

(Ray Waddle, a writer based in Nashville, is author of Against the Grain: Unconventional Wisdom from Ecclesiastes.)