“The following dissertation concerning the Trinity, as the reader ought to be informed, has been written in order to guard against the sophistries of those who disdain to begin with faith, and are deceived by a crude and perverse love of reason.”
The Trinity has never been a topic that has attracted my interest, even less whether I should address God as Our Father, our whatever strikes our fancy. Jesus preferred to address God as My Father, Our Father, and The Father.
Way, way back a brilliant intellectual teaching theology weighed heavily on the matter of ensuring his students understood the true, or orthodox meaning of The Trinity boring me to tears.
Despite being a reserved personality I reached a moment when I felt the need to intervene, and observe that I am sure that God would not be offended should I address him through my daily prayers as Harold, or Maude when understanding that God's attributes do not include vanity.
Thomas Kempis wrote wisely:
What does it avail you to agree profoundly of the Trinity if you be wanting in humility, and consequently be displeasing to the Trinity? In truth, sublime words do not make a man holy and just; but it is a virtuous life that makes him dear to God. I would rather feel compunction, than know its definition. If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it all profit you without the love of God and his grace.
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