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GA06044
Theological Issues and Institutions committee Trinity paper approved with amendments
By Bill Lancaster
BIRMINGHAM, June 17 * The Theological Issues and Institutions Committee of the 217th General Assembly approved, with amendment, the paper entitled, "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing." The vote was 42-16-3 (for-against-abstain). There will be a minority report.
A substitute motion for the item, which would have referred the paper back to the Office of Theology and Worship and the drafting committee for review, was defeated by a vote of 23-33-3.
The paper affirms Father, Son and Holy Spirit as the church's anchor language for the Trinity, but lifts up other biblical images of the Trinity for study and use in worship.
One approved amendment adds a paragraph affirming that Jesus Christ is the very image of God. The full text, to be added at line 436 in the paper, states, "We must always bear in mind that Scripture affirms Jesus Christ is the very image of God. This means the Triune God has chosen to reveal the Divine identity in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Christ is the mystery of our salvation and the revelation of God in the world."
This amendment was offered by Aurelio Garcia, a pastor from San Juan Presbytery. Charles Wylie, associate for theology in the office of Theology and Worship, told the committee it would be a positive addition to the report.
A group of 10 amendments offered by the Office of Theology and Worship also were approved. Most were minor editorial changes or clarifications.
One adds the scriptural citation of John 17:20-21 to the discussion of koinonia in lines 1394-1397. John 17:20-21 conveys Jesus' concern that the church be one: "As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us" (NRSV). Wylie said the changes grew out of feedback from critics in the Church.
Jonathan Lovelady, a pastor from Shenandoah Presbytery, announced at the end of the meeting that there would be a minority report.
The committee voted not to recommend an overture that also would have referred the paper back to the Office of Theology and Worship for further consideration. They approved letting the action on the Trinity paper be the answer to the overture.
An amendment was defeated that would have recommended that the Assembly simply "receive" the report rather than "approve" it. Under this amendment, the paper still would have been commended to the churches for study.
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