Inclusive language for God is 'battleground' in PCUSA By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, October 24, 2000 CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Dr. Charles Wiley of the Office of the Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (USA) says there is "a battleground" in the denomination over language used to describe God. But Wiley's feedback session in Charlotte on Oct. 23 produced not much more than a friendly skirmish. Wiley is on assignment from the General Assembly to hear what Presbyterians have to say about how to address God and why. The title for this trek through California, North Carolina, New Jersey and Illinois is "Consultation on the Doctrine of the Trinity." "There's a fairly remarkable acceptance in the church for inclusive language," Wiley said. "Most people prefer and say they use inclusive language for people. There is not that same unanimity for the Trinity … there is a battleground." The battle is whether to use Biblical language – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – or some non-gender alternatives. Wiley and those attending the Charlotte consultation (mostly ministers) gave examples of ways some Presbyterians speak of God to avoid using gender. Some Presbyterians address God almost exclusively as God, which Wiley called a "functional unitarianism." An alternative doxology in The Presbyterian Hymnal avoids gender language by offering praise to God, Christ and the Spirit. Some use, even in baptisms, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer – which was criticized by Wiley and others because it suggests that God is functionally separate. And a few speak of Source, Word and Spirit. Trouble is, Wiley said, the Bible never describes God as source. The so-called "Riverside Formula," which comes from Riverside Church in New York, speaks of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God, Mother of us all." The consensus at the Charlotte consultation was that Biblical language – especially in baptism – be used because that was precisely the language Jesus used in sending his apostles to make disciples of all nations, "baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." John Rogers, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which hosted the Oct. 23 consultation, cautioned against changing the language of the Trinity. "The doctrine of the Trinity is about the freedom of God to be God in his own chosen way," Rogers said. "The Trinity is not just human formula. The Trinity did not just happen, and it didn't start with us." The purpose of the consultations is to prepare recommendations for the General Assembly on the use and limits of inclusive language.

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