Or is there a lot of confusion going around about 'what' and/or 'Who' the Holy Spirit is?
Personally (and I realize this is a tad off-topic), I have no problems accepting the doctrine of the trinity. I see it for what I believe it to be: Not a single statement that was just 'made-up' one day. But rather, the doctrine comes from a long series of debates prior to it. If you go through them step-by-step, the doctrine of the trinity makes perfect sense, to me anyway, (especially when considering the many, many, many other options up to that time).
I don't feel a belief or even an understanding of the trinity is 'necessary for salvation'. However, when folks refer to the Holy Spirit as "it" or as a "force" <--- that makes me pretty uneasy & uncomfortable.
I'm a former Pentecostal, still charismatic, and recall some poplar choruses from the Charismatic Movement, which Paidion was probably referring to. One was/had "Sweet Holy Spirit: Sweet Heavenly Dove: Stay right here with us: Filling us with Your love," etc. I used to sing it and feel okay about it. But now, I don't really care for it much. It was recently sung in a church I was at <--- and that made me a bit squeamish too. Just a line or so about Father and Son would make it just fine, though!
Steve Gregg has some great talks on this: under Topical Lectures, Knowing God (and touches on it elsewhere).
I'll leave it there....
Thanks!
