PCUSA goes off the deep end... again.

Presbyterians [PCUSA!!!] 'Receive' Policy on Worship

The divine Trinity _ "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" _ could also be known as "Mother, Child and Womb" or "Rock, Redeemer, Friend" at some Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) services under an action Monday by the church's national assembly. [OVER-emphasis mine, because I don't want people to just associate Presbyterians with the PCUSA --ed.]

Delegates to the meeting voted to "receive" a policy paper on gender- inclusive language for the Trinity, a step short of approving it. That means church officials can propose experimental liturgies with alternative phrasings for the Trinity, but congregations won't be required to use them.

"This does not alter the church's theological position, but provides an educational resource to enhance the spiritual life of our membership," legislative committee chair Nancy Olthoff, an Iowa laywoman, said during Monday's debate on the Trinity. [What??]

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

Why? Because Big Guy is getting sick of you repeating the same old crap all the time.

Keep it real, kids.

One reason is that language limited to the Father and Son "has been used to support the idea that God is male and that men are superior to women," the panel said. [er... --ed.]

[...] Besides "Mother, Child and Womb" and "Rock, Redeemer, Friend," proposed Trinity options drawn from biblical material include:

_ "Lover, Beloved, Love"

_ "Creator, Savior, Sanctifier"

_ "King of Glory, Prince of Peace, Spirit of Love."

All they are doing is selecting various names for the Trinity from references throughout the Bible (or they just stared at this poster for too long).

Early in Monday's business session, the Presbyterian assembly sang a revised version of a familiar doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" that avoided male nouns and pronouns for God. [You're kidding me... --ed.]

[...] [Dorothy] Hill reminded delegates that the Ten Commandments say "the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."

Amen, Dorothy.

The PCUSA: It's all about options.

Posted by Kyer at June 20, 2006 12:26 PM | TrackBack