Trinity study recommended as part of inclusive language policy review By Paula R. Kincaid The Presbyterian Layman Volume 33, Number 2 Posted April 1, 2000 LOUISVILLE – The General Assembly Council is recommending to the 2000 General Assembly that a task force be established to study the doctrine of the Trinity in Presbyterian theology and worship. The study of the Trinity comes in response to a 1998 Assembly directive to “conduct research to assess the current status of the church on inclusive language policy at all levels.” “The Trinity is our theology,” said Charles Wiley of the Office of Theology and Worship, “not a trivial way we speak about God. It is the way we speak about our faith.” That is why the Office of Theology and Worship recommended the study of the Trinity, said Wiley, “as an attempt to say the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the church,” and now how does the church move forward? “It’s not about how far can you go,” he said. By moving toward middle ground “we are losing our doctrine of God and who God is.” “Christian faith is based on the Trinity,” said Amy Plantinga Pauw, professor of doctrinal theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The Trinity is “a kind of summary of the good news we hear in Scripture – the good news of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.” Inclusive language survey According to surveys conducted by Research Services in conjunction with the Office of Theology and Worship, significant majorities of church members, elders and ministers prefer the use of inclusive language for the people of God. Wiley called it a remarkable change for a 20-year time span. “Change in language is difficult to effect,” he said However, the surveys indicate significant division in the church regarding God language, specifically, the place and form of Trinitarian language. Wiley said that when the adjective “inclusive” is used for God language, it becomes problematic. The report suggests using “faithful” or “faith building” language for God, instead of “inclusive” language for God. Trinitarian language The report of the Office of Theology and Worship states that only 5 percent to 16 percent of church members and elders approve of gender-inclusive forms of Trinitarian language, while 28 to 78 percent of ministers and faculty approve of gender-inclusive forms of Trinitarian language. It also states that church members and male ministers “overwhelmingly” favor traditional Trinitarian language, while every single grouping of female ministers, faculty and students prefer non-traditional Trinitarian language. The survey The Office of Theology and Worship sent questionnaires to synods and presbyteries, in which all synods and 77 percent of the presbyteries replied. In addition, Research Services prepared a February 1999 Presbyterian Panel survey on inclusive language issues. The survey was adapted and sent to all faculty and a random sampling of students at Presbyterian seminaries, plus the non-Presbyterian seminaries associated with the Committee on Theological Education.

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