Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Issue link: http://horizons.epubxp.com/i/521232
inclusive and expansive language, appreciate diversity, equally value p eople and expand imagery and p raise of our glorious God. Rhashell D. Hunter is the director of Racial Ethnic & Women's Ministries, which includes the offices of racial ethnic and new immigrant congregational support, gender & racial justice, racial ethnic schools & colleges, women's leadership development & young women's m inistries. The office is also in covenant relationship with Presbyterian Women in the PC(USA). Notes 1. "Definitions and Guidelines on Inclusive Language," 197th General Assembly (1985), PC(USA), Advisory Council on Discipleship and Worship, Council onATheology and Culture; text available at www.presbyterianmission.org /min- istries/theologyandworship/issues-inclusive/ 2. Ronald J. Allen, Dale P. Andrews and Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, eds. Preaching God's Transforming Justice Commentary, Year B (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2011), xxi. 3. Priests for Equality, The Inclusive Bible (New York: Sheed & Ward, 2007), vi. 4. Marjorie Procter-Smith, In Her Own Rite: Constructing Feminist Liturgical Tradition (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1990), 54. 5. Priests for Equality. 13 May/June 2015 W e will never understand the fullness of God, but our scripture and faith tradition are invaluable tools for getting to know something of the glorious mystery of our God. Our scripture and tradition include a variety of imagery for God, and that variety includes terms that may feel problematic to people concerned with inclusive language. "Lord" and "Father" aren't inclusive, but they're significant to our relationship with and understanding of God. "Lord" has biblical and theological significance. Harper's Bible Dictionary tells us "Lord" is: a title of dignity and honor acknowledging the power and authority of the one so addressed. In the Old Testament "Lord" is used to translate various titles for God (e.g., Adonai, El Shaddai). . . . In Jesus' time the Aramaic word mari, "my Lord," was coming into use as a title of respect (not of divinity) in addressing human beings with authority, e.g., a rabbi, and it would appear that Jesus was so addressed. After Easter . . .the word "Lord" is used both for God and the messianic king (Acts 2:34). . . . The title "Lord," while not connoting divinity in the metaphysical sense, means that at his exaltation Jesus entered upon a new function as the representative of God's Lordship in the world and over the church (Phil. 2:11). It is henceforth through the exalted Jesus that God exercises Lordship . . . . The two "Lords" God and Jesus are distinguished from each other but not separated. 4 So the term "Lord," while fraught with social weight, is confessional. Calling Jesus "Lord" commits our lives to God. It urges us to reflect on Jesus as fully human and fully divine. "Father" is another masculine word we encounter that has deep theological significance. "Father" is an integral part of the Trinitarian ("Father-Son- Holy Spirit") understanding of God. The PC(USA)'s Office of Theology and Worship has created a theological statement on the doctrine of the Trinity, which includes a section on theologically sound ways of talking about the Trinity. The report, which the 217th General Assembly (2006) commended for study, is called The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing. It upholds "Father-Son-Holy Spirit" as an unalterable creed, and one that links us to our foremothers and forefathers in faith, as well as our ecumenical partners. But the document also encourages us to explore additional metaphors or images for God to "glorify God imaginatively with all our hearts and minds." It goes on to say, "We are freed to speak faithfully and amply of the mystery of the Trinity. We may cultivate a responsible Trinitarian imagination and vocabulary that bears witness in different ways to the one triune God known to us from scripture and creed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Faithfulness to the gospel frees us to honor and continue to use this faithful way of speaking of the triune God even as it frees us to adopt other faithful images" (7). The section on "Speaking of the Triune God" is excellent for anyone interested in expansive language. And the report in its entirety is an essential resource on the Presbyterian understanding of the triune God. Download the report and optional study guide (with thought-provoking questions about language) at www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries /theologyandworship/issues-trinitystudyguide. Or order the report, study guide and DVD with commentary (item 2116207002S; $29.95 plus shipping) from Presbyterian Distribution Service, 800/524-2612 or www.pcusa.org/store. Christ, King of Kings, icon, Greece, c. 1600 FROM THE EDITORS Our Lord God, Our Trinitarian God