Church mulls 'phrasing' change for Holy Trinity

The Washington Times ^ | June 20, 2006 | Richard Ostling

[pageonetoo]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- At some Presbyterian churches the Holy Trinity -- "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" -- will be out. "Mother, Child and Womb" is in.

Delegates to the national assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted yesterday to "receive" a policy paper on sex-inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. Church officials are enabled to propose "experimental liturgies" with "alternative phrasings" for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.

Besides "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer, Friend," options include:
• "Lover, Beloved, Love"
• "Creator, Savior, Sanctifier"
• "King of Glory, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Love"

"This does not alter the church's theological position, but provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership," legislative committee chairman Nancy Olthoff, an Iowa laywoman, said during yesterday's debate on the changes.

The assembly narrowly defeated a conservative bid to send the paper back for further study, which would have killed it.

A panel that worked on the issue since 2000 said the classical language for the Trinity still should be used, but Presbyterians should seek "fresh ways to speak of the mystery of the triune God" to "expand the church's vocabulary of praise and wonder."..

[butternut_squash_bisque]

With 50k leaving each year, it won't be long before very few are left.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

This has been going on for the past 15-20 years, as liberal courts have legislated a *new society* for the 'protected' group of whiners.

[MountainMenace]

I have been studying this phenomenon in the church for over a decade. It is being driven by a feminization of the churches in the USA that has encouraged female priestesses to create a Mother God in place of Father God as if it were simply a political process like ERA. In this they only have one major obstacle - The Holy Bible - and they are intent on rewriting it to suit their needs.

Clearly, as the feminist social revisionists advance, its effect is a full blown male orthodox retreat. It is time for real men and women in the church to understand that the love of God as Father is a tough love involving sin and repentance as a means to Grace. That is why "Father" is used. This new counterfeit is a tepid version of moral relativism and deserves to be spewed out of our mouths. It is time to stand up against this desecration.

[thulldud]

Dewey, Cheatham, & Howe?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

WHY!!

Early Christians fought for centuries over different versions of the trinity. The Arian Christians believed that Christ was created after God, not at the time of God's creation, therefore was not equal to God. The Nicean Creed resolved that in favor of the current view, not the Arian Christian view. Why start this again in another form?

[Hegemony Cricket]

LOL - I done fergot about them fellers completely!

[GarySpFc]

Ping

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Nominalism in action?

[Tenacious 1]

[Amen! It's only Christians who are to blame when this kind of thing is happening to so many Christian denominations. We get the government, schools & churches we deserve.]

The leaders of our Christian Faith (Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, baptist, etc) paint Christ in the image of a peacenik, all inclusive, warm and fuzzy, quiet, discreet, shy, humble, passive man. In their attempt to emulate our Lord, they are misguided and erode (in my opinion) the true word and teachings of Christ. Christ was tolerant and accepting. But he was a man's man. He was a pretty tough guy. He gave no one a free pass and didn't accept excuses. He didn't pull punches and said it like it was. He was not discreet. He sent his apostles into towns to announce his coming and make preparations for his arrival. He preached against what the high priests were teaching from their mighty pulpits. He rebelled against the church of his time. He had physical altercations in defense of what was right. He condemned people and deeds. He feared nothing publicly and he was anything but politically correct.

He was, whether you believe in him as the Lord or not, the Human Race's strongest leader. Religiously or otherwise, his existence on this planet has affected the way billions have lived their lives for 2,000 years. This man did not change to appease or attract followers. He lead with truth, honesty and action.

[Doohickey]

How about "One potato, Two potato, Three"?

[aberaussie]

bttt

[pageonetoo]

My #1 been deleted, with my reference to the perverted ones in the pulpit. I guess we have PC among us, and the AM feels obligated to honor their sensibilities...

Sorry, AM, but I will not give credibility to the vileness, which is overtaking our Church! I will try to use a better choice of words, to describe these perverts, rather than refer to a hot coal!

What term is acceptable?

[TomSmedley]

I think the fact that they are trying to change OUR religious institutions, rather than creating their very own religion - shows that they have evil intent.

It's easier to hijack an existing organization, with its buildings and pension plans intact, than it is to start your own. Gary North's excelent history book With Crossed Fingers demonstrated how the largest, soundest, and most conservative Christian body in the USA -- the PCUSA -- was surrendered because the orthodox were too "nice" to have heresy trials.

[Unam Sanctam]

Paper, rock, scissors!

LOL!

[true_blue_texican]

How 'bout:
Big Daddy, Little Daddy, and the spook.

[Paloma_55]

Good attempt.

I was thinking Larry, Moe and Curly.

Sarcasm doesn't always carry well in the written word, but I think yours did.

[Triggerhippie]

Manny, Moe, & Jack?

Larry, Moe, & Curly?

Huey, Dewey, & Louie?

Marshal, Will, & Holly?

Abraham, Martin, & John?

One Bourbon, One Scotch, & One Beer?

[Hegemony Cricket]

Nah, ya gotta think 'diversity' - it's One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians...

[tarheelswamprat]

I think the fact that they are trying to change OUR religious institutions, rather than creating their very own religion - shows that they have evil intent. Their purpose is to DESTROY - not to amend. Satan is laughing right now.

I think you've nailed it - that is the plan. I think we are witnessing the end-game culmination of a long-term Gramscian strategy of infiltration, subversion, co-option and deconstruction.

[gaspar]

It seems that determined leftists like Nancy Olthoff are determined to kill the Church and rebuild it in their pagan image. Perhaps the greatest threat to the early Church was the activity of the female-dominated orgiastic sects. Given the chance, women like Olthoff will have history repeat itself.