The Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace

“The Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace,” written by the Office of Theology and Worship, addresses issues resulting from some critical assessments of the faith, order and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 

Specifically, while many critics of the PC(USA) applaud the church’s official theological and moral standards, they assert that these positions are inconsequential if persons can depart from them with impunity. 

The issue is identity: what makes us who we are?  “The Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace” acknowledges that as a finite, limited creature of God, the church must exhibit a coherence marked by the presence of boundaries — an ability to recognize what is part of it and what is not.

“The Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace” addresses directly the matter of “ecclesiastical discipline uprightly ministered," explores the painful reality of congregations that choose to leave the PC(USA) and presents the Scripture’s call to maintain God’s gift of unity, granted through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing

This paper is the result of the work of a Trinity Working Group that has labored the last three years. The 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a recommendation to receive and commend to the church for study the paper The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing.

An introduction to the Trinity paper by Daniel Migliore of Princeton Seminary

Frequently Asked Questions

Study Guide — Updated study guide that originally appeared in Ideas! Magazine

Related article from Presbyterians Today: Reclaiming the Trinity; The Trinity is not an optional "extra" to God, it is the very nature of God as revealed to us in Scripture, by Charles Wiley

An article written for Orthodox Church in America by the Very Rev. John Breck: "Trinity by any other name (?)"

For a helpful analysis of the promise of the "The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing," which also points out weaknesses, we recommend reading this editorial in the Christian Century.

Please feel free to download, fill out, and return this evaluation form for the Trinity paper.  We would love to hear from you about this important document. You may fax your evaluation to (502) 569-8060, attention: Charles Wiley, or follow the mailing instructions on the form.

A four-part DVD that features well-known pastors and scholars is available that provides an excellent general introduction to the Trinity and introductions to the three parts of the paper. The DVD can also be used as a stand-alone media piece for confirmation classes, new member classes, and other venues as an introduction to the doctrine of the Trinity. Find out how to order these materials.

If you have any other feedback for the Trinity Working Group on this paper, please send it to Charles Wiley in the Office of Theology and Worship.