Lesslie Newbigin on Trinity Sunday – How Do You Preach the Trinity?
I was leafing through the Revised Common Lectionary in preparation for a sermon when I noticed: this upcoming Sunday is “Trinity Sunday.” What in the world is that? It’s a day set aside in observance and celebration of the Trinity. Well how in the world do we do that? Christine Sine has some great thoughts, creative suggestions. I for one, am looking for more. I’m not preaching this Sunday, but I’m always open to the fusion of liturgical and traditional with contemporary and relevant. Join with the world over this Sunday in the contemplation of the divine Godhead. And here’s some thoughts by Lesslie Newbigin on the subject I just happened to stumble upon today:
The church continues to repeat the Trinitarian formula but – unless I am greatly mistaken – the ordinary Christian in the Western world who hears or reads the word “God” does not immediately and ineveitably think of the Triune Being – Father, Son, and Spirt. He thinks of a supreme monad. Not many preachers, I suspect, look forward eagerly to Trinity Sunday. The working concept of God for most ordinary Christians is – if one may venture a bold guess – shaped more by the combination of Greek philosophy and Islamic theology.
I’m going to contend that very last sentence but that’s another thing.
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>> I’m always open to the fusion of liturgical and traditional with contemporary and relevant.
I just finished reading Jim Belcher’s Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional.
http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Church-Beyond-Emerging-Traditional/dp/0830837167
It’s one of the best books I’ve read in recent years. Have you read it or heard of it?
You know what; I’ve been eyeing that book. I follow Belcher on twitter and he says good things – and if this “Deep Church” thing navigates that fine road between traditional / contemporary I’m all for it and looking forward to reading it. After I’m done committing suicide Hebrew this summer.
Here’s some good thoughts on how to “apply” or “preach” Trinity Sunday:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/2010/05/trinity-sunday.html