do Protestants use the word "Trinity" when referring to God?

[MoNiCa4316]

I just have a simple question for all the Protestants...

In all the time I've been (evangelical) Protestant, I've never heard anyone use the name "the Trinity" or "the Holy Trinity". I know (most) Protestants believe in it...

Do you use this term? If not, why?

thanks!

 

[HisWordisTruth7]

Trinity is explaining a concept that is evident in the scripture..I use the word on occasion to explain the concept..In my personal life I make it more personal my prayer of worship..Thanksgiving , praise to to Abba Father , Jesus , Holy Spirit come and freely minister to us.. If you understand where I am coming from..I never say anything like, oh holy trinity..Honestly, I never really thought about it..I just tend to be specific/personal...

 

[disasm]

I know as a Methodist growing up there was constant talk about the Trinity, Iknow Lutherans as well refer to the Trinity. Most non-denom churches I visited never used the word. I also noticed, growing up in the Methodist Church, the more contemporary worship became, the less the Trinity was mentioned. I never knew why, but it was one thing that led me to searching for Orthodoxy.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.

 

[BigNorsk]

Trinity is a term often used, but we wouldn't usually say something like a reference to the Holy Trinity. Usually we would just say God. Trinity is used as an explanation, not as a name.

Marv

 

[HisWordisTruth7]

I know as a Methodist growing up there was constant talk about the Trinity, Iknow Lutherans as well refer to the Trinity. Most non-denom churches I visited never used the word. I also noticed, growing up in the Methodist Church, the more contemporary worship became, the less the Trinity was mentioned. I never knew why, but it was one thing that led me to searching for Orthodoxy.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.

That is interesting..I have experienced opposite coming from first experiencing Methodist and the worship to be dry, solemn and meaningless..The people were glad it was over and home to baseball or dinner..When I experienced evangelical praise and worship my passion for God came alive..People were singing and praising God tears were flowing..People didn't want to stop. They would linger pray before the the Lord..There were instruments, people exuberant like David..My faith came alive and I stated operating in my gifting..The passion for the Lord is still aflame after all these years.My prayer life became aflame...Sorry Sis for the rabbit trail..

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Thanks

Well I used to go to a non denom church...I never heard the word "Trinity" used even in explanation, only "God in three Persons". I'm just wondering why some people don't use the word! Is that because they are trying to be less 'traditional'? Lol sorry that's just a guess here.

I once used the word when talking to some friends from Campus for Christ, and I got some funny looks hehe.

 

[sunlover1]

That is interesting..I have experienced opposite coming from first experiencing Methodist and the worship to be dry, solemn and meaningless..The people were glad it was over and home to baseball or dinner..When I experienced evangelical praise and worship my passion for God came alive..People were singing and praising God tears were flowing..People didn't want to stop. They would linger pray before the the Lord..There were instruments, people exuberant like David..My faith came alive and I stated operating in my gifting..The passion for the Lord is still aflame after all these years.My prayer life became aflame...Sorry Sis for the rabbit trail..

Hi HIsWordISTruth.

Amen ! At my church too they worship with their
musical instruments, with their voices, with their
bodies...

I was raised Catholic,
but lived in a CRC community,
I also attended several different CRC and RCA churches..
They sang songs about God too as did CC.

But it was a baptist church that I first felt the presence
of God, during worship. but it may have been because
I was older and the words were more from my heart.
Not sure.

Next stage of my walk I attended an AOG church and
when I went home, I couldnt shake that 'presence'
I'd seen there. At home, as I contemplated the Worship
service I'd attended, I 'saw" Jesus filling every inch
of that sanctuary, flowing robes and all
(that was in my minds eye, and in retrospect).

Now I attend a full gospel church (I guess that's what
mine might be called, it's not charismatic I know) and
I wish I could have brought all of you guys to church
with me this past sunday. Some of us didnt want to
stop worshipping and leave lol.
Cant WAIT to meet with my worship team for rehearsal
tonight and enjoy some more of that corperate worship.

But we didnt really mention the word trinity.
Just so the name of Jesus is lifted up! That's the main thing.

sunlover

 

[sunlover1]

Thanks

Well I used to go to a non denom church...I never heard the word "Trinity" used even in explanation, only "God in three Persons". I'm just wondering why some people don't use the word! Is that because they are trying to be less 'traditional'? Lol sorry that's just a guess here.

I once used the word when talking to some friends from Campus for Christ, and I got some funny looks hehe.

Do you mean that you refer to Father as 'trinity'?

Trinity is a 'concept' not a person, that's why
I just say Jesus or Father or Holy Spirit.

I might say 'Godhead" even, but trinity imo is
mans way to try to contain God, and it's a
weak attempt lol.
We cant , just cant figure it out, no matter
how much we think we have.
I can't explain the Godhead, I just know that
it's in there (Scripture)

sunlover

 

[MoNiCa4316]

That is interesting..I have experienced opposite coming from first experiencing Methodist and the worship to be dry, solemn and meaningless..The people were glad it was over and home to baseball or dinner..When I experienced evangelical praise and worship my passion for God came alive..People were singing and praising God tears were flowing..People didn't want to stop. They would linger pray before the the Lord..There were instruments, people exuberant like David..My faith came alive and I stated operating in my gifting..The passion for the Lord is still aflame after all these years.My prayer life became aflame...Sorry Sis for the rabbit trail..

hey I know what you mean. I've been to some great services like that too...mostly at conferences and things like that, or at my old church which I used to attend. I've found it really depends on the people though. I sometimes go to a praise and worship service in one particular place where people seem pretty distracted, talking to their friends, just standing there...having fun listening to the music, etc. It's not really spiritual that way, even with all the great music. I always feel kinda 'empty' there, like God isn't really welcome. I like how charismatics worship because it seems to be very personal for them somehow. although there's always the danger of seeking too much after 'feelings' and losing focus (I'm just speaking from my own experience here).

On the other hand, I've experienced some great worship in pretty "traditional" settings as well...which was very reverent and spiritual. For example, once I felt God's presence really strongly in an Eastern Orthodox church before the priest brought out the Eucharist (Communion), and I just wanted to praise Him so much then.

What I've learned is that I can worship well in both evangelical and "traditional" types of churches, as long as the Holy Spirit is there..and it really helps when others around me are worshipping too. It's more difficult in a traditional church for many people because it's more 'internal' somehow, but I've found that type of worship can be really fulfilling spiritually. In fact it sometimes goes deeper for me than evangelical worship. btw I'd love to visit Catholic charismatic Mass because that's like traditional+charismatic..hehe.. it's like the best of both worlds in a way.

 

[HisWordisTruth7]

What can be said whether trad or cont...God sees the heart and you get out what you put in..peace to you..

 

[MoNiCa4316]

Do you mean that you refer to Father as 'trinity'?

No, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Trinity

Trinity is a 'concept' not a person, that's why
I just say Jesus or Father or Holy Spirit.

When I worship or pray I also say "Jesus" or "Father" or "Holy Spirit"..or often, just "Lord". But in discussions and things I sometimes say "the Trinity", when referring to God.

I might say 'Godhead" even, but trinity imo is
mans way to try to contain God, and it's a
weak attempt lol.

Why do you say so? (that it's an attempt to contain God)

We cant , just cant figure it out, no matter
how much we think we have.
I can't explain the Godhead, I just know that
it's in there (Scripture)

sunlover

Isn't Godhead the same as the Trinity; just a different word?

thanks for the reply

 

[MoNiCa4316]

What can be said whether trad or cont...God sees the heart and you get out what you put in..peace to you..

That's true

 

[disasm]

Do you mean that you refer to Father as 'trinity'?

Trinity is a 'concept' not a person, that's why
I just say Jesus or Father or Holy Spirit.

I might say 'Godhead" even, but trinity imo is
mans way to try to contain God, and it's a
weak attempt lol.
We cant , just cant figure it out, no matter
how much we think we have.
I can't explain the Godhead, I just know that
it's in there (Scripture)

sunlover

The interesting thing about Trinity, is it's unique to Christianity. Pagans can have 3 persons to worship, but the idea of 3 persons being one essence is foolishness, just as the Word of the Cross is foolishness. Then, you have other monotheists, the Jews, Muslims, as well as others, but Christianity is the only place you find a concept of a Trinity.

It's quite an intriguing concept that we can know God directly, through the 3 Persons, The unoriginate Father, the Son eternally begotten by the Father, and the Holy Spirit, eternally proceeding from the Father, yet they are one God and of one essence!

In Orthodoxy, most prayers invoke one person of the Trinity, such as the Son, and then they close with something like, together with thy unoriginate Father and thy all Holy and life creating Spirit now and ever and unto ages of ages amen". In other words, it's all central around the 3 persons of the Trinity everywhere in worship. Even prayers to the Saints, invoke the Trinity in some way.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner.

 

[christianmomof3]

Yes, although I was taught the word triune - which means three/one.

 

[simonthezealot]

I just have a simple question for all the Protestants...

In all the time I've been (evangelical) Protestant, I've never heard anyone use the name "the Trinity" or "the Holy Trinity". I know (most) Protestants believe in it...
!

Well I went to Trinity Lutheran Church for many years so I used the term!

 

[Tonks]

From my experience they do not...even though they should.

 

[NorrinRadd]

Well I went to Trinity Lutheran Church for many years so I used the term!

Heh.

That was one of the first thoughts that occurred to me, too. Well, sort of. The "practicing" Lutherans in my family attend St. Paul's, but the "big" Lutheran church in town is Trinity.

 

[NorrinRadd]

I think I agree in essence with a couple of the previous posters: I would mainly use "Trinity" as an explanation or semi-technical theological term when explaining the nature of God* to someone, contrasting orthodox Christianity with heterodoxy or heresy, etc.

*Note right there that I use "God" in the "generic" sense, meaning the whole of the "Godhead." I.e., "God" can itself mean "the Trinity."

 

[Mathetes the kerux]

I just have a simple question for all the Protestants...

In all the time I've been (evangelical) Protestant, I've never heard anyone use the name "the Trinity" or "the Holy Trinity". I know (most) Protestants believe in it...

Do you use this term? If not, why?

thanks!

YES.

 

[sunlover1]

No, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is the Holy Trinity



When I worship or pray I also say "Jesus" or "Father" or "Holy Spirit"..or often, just "Lord". But in discussions and things I sometimes say "the Trinity", when referring to God.

Ahh, I see. I think most every Christian does this.

Why do you say so? (that it's an attempt to contain God)

Shoulda said an attempt to explain something that
imo can't be explained.

Isn't Godhead the same as the Trinity; just a different word?

I"m not sure, because trinity is explained several different
ways.

I have no problem with that word, and I believe in
the Godhead, I just doubt that I USE that word much,
because I'm thinking that if I used trinity to explain
God, then I'd have to use other words to explain
trinity lol


But I use it when I sing this song:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
All the cherubim and seraphim are falling down before Thee
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be

Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eyes of sinful man Thy glory may not see
Lord, only Thou art holy And there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise
Thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
You are God in three persons, blessed Trinity
You are God in three persons, blessed Trinity
Oh, God in three persons, blessed Trinity