[Serious] The Trinity

[tackattack]

Popes, bishops, preachers, and teachers.  They've been sounding the horn over the decline in religiosity and adherence to foundational doctrines.... for some time - and demographic studies do seem to confirm their fears.  

You mentioned that a trinitarian invocation was in one of your songs, for example - but is it in your congregations heart?  It's the latter that concerns the institution, and...essentially...they worry that the songs might not be working as intended.  I was wondering where you and yours were on the range, and how you viewed that from the inside as a christian.  Is it becoming more or less doctrinal where you're at, and do you see whatever that is as a good or bad thing?

Yes there have been doommongers, and conservatives constantly railing against the decline in general orthodoxy and precept. As a Christian, this is expected this based on Biblical principles and doctrines. The idea of a decline in religiosity, for me both publicly and personally, is something I would prefer. Religiosity, has at it's core, the concept that there is some earthly authority in charge of how and why we should worship. I believe those answers can be agreed upon communally, but predominantly should be individual based. 

Back to the trinitarian subject. Our congregation believes in it 100% from an acceptance of the creed. The two sides you were mentioning (the head and the heart) is another subject. I believe that congregationally the heart believes in the trinity. I also know that the heads of many individuals in the congregation can't really articulate that feeling well. As I see it from the inside, there has been an increase in apologetics, acceptance and learning to listen. That being said, as more people get their head able to articulate their heart that their belief and faith are stronger. I believe the doctrinal belief is becoming more understood intellectually and able to be communicated in my congregation and that is a good thing. I really couldn't give it a number if I had to say, but since I've been teaching I've seen an increase in whatever number that is.