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ABriefIntroductiontoTrinitarian
Theology
IfwewantthemostaccuratepictureofGod,wedontneedtolookanyfurtherthanJesusChrist.InJesuswe
meetGodasGodreallyis.Hewhohasseenme,Jesussaid,hasseentheFather(John14:9).
JesusChrististheperfectrevelationoftheFather.No
onehaseverseenGod,butJesusChrist,theonlySon
oftheFather,hasmadehimknown(John1:18).

Allscripturequotations,unlessotherwise
indicated,aretakenfromtheHolyBible,New
InternationalVersion,NIV.Copyright
1973,1978,1984byBiblica,Inc.Usedby
permissionofZondervan.Allrightsreserved
worldwide.www.zondervan.com
ClickhereforaPDFfile.

IntheUnitedStates,thisarticleisavailablein
bookletform.Ifyouwouldlikeaprintedcopyto
bemailedtoanaddressintheU.S.A.,clickhere.
InJesuswordsandactions,wehearandseewhatmattersmosttoeveryhumanbeingthattheFatherloves
usunconditionally.HesentJesusoutofhisimmeasurableloveandhisunbendingcommitmenttohuman
redemption.ToknowJesusistoknowGod,whichmeansthatwhatwebelieveaboutJesusisourtheology.
Inonewayoranother,weallhaveatheology.Simplystated,theologyisGodknowledge.Inotherwords,
whateverwebelievetobetrueaboutGodisourtheology.
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Andcertainlyeverychurchanddenominationhasatheology.Itstheframeworkthatundergirdsandinforms
theirdoctrinesandpractices.
TrinitariantheologyseesthedoctrineoftheTrinityasthecentralandfoundationaldoctrinethatformsthe
basisforhowwereadtheBibleandhowweunderstandallpointsoftheology.
Itdealswithnotonlythehowandthewhyofdoctrinesandpractices,butmostimportantly,itbeginswith
thewho.Itasks,WhoistheGodmadeknowninJesusChrist,andwhoareweinrelationtohim?
Trinitariantheology,then,doesnotsimplyrefertoabeliefinthedoctrineoftheTrinity(theBibleteachingthat
thereisoneGod,whoiseternallyFather,SonandHolySpirit).ItreferstoaChristcenteredwayof
understandingwhoGodis.

Christcentered
TrinitariantheologyisfirstandforemostChristcentered.AsnotedbyThomasF.Torrance(aleadingTrinitarian
theologianofthe20thcentury),JesusistheuniqueWordofGodtohumanityandtheuniqueWordof
humanitytoGod.Becauseofthis,evenHolyScriptureisunderhisLordship.
JesusindicatesthatheisthekeytounderstandingScripture.HesaidtoagroupofJewishreligiousleaders
inJohn5:3940:YoudiligentlystudytheScripturesbecauseyouthinkthatbythemyoupossesseternallife.
ThesearetheScripturesthattestifyaboutme,yetyourefusetocometometohavelife.
WeseektoreadandinterprettheBiblethroughthelensofwhoJesusis.Heisthebasisandlogicofour
theologyforhealoneisthefinalandthefullselfrevelationofGod.

Relationshipcentered
BecauseitisChristcentered,Trinitariantheologyisbyitsverynaturerelational.JesusChrist,theonlySonof
God,hasbecomeonewithourfleshinordertobeoursavingsubstituteandtorepresentusashisbrothers
andsistersintheverypresenceoftheFather(seeJohn1:14Ephesians1:910,2023).
BecauseofChrist,wehavearelationshipwithGod!TheHolySpiritdwellsinus.WebelongtotheFatherand
are,inChrist,thebelovedoftheFather.
ThismeansthattheChristianlifeandfaithareprimarilyaboutfourkindsofpersonalrelationship:
1. theinternalrelationshipsofholylovesharedbytheFather,SonandHolySpiritfromalleternity,
2. therelationshipoftheeternalSonwithhumanityinJesusChristincarnate,
3. therelationshipofhumanitywiththeFatherthroughtheSonandbytheSpirit,and
4. therelationshipofhumanswithoneanotheraschildrenoftheFatherredeemedbyJesusChrist.

Earlyhistory
Inthe20thcentury,TrinitariantheologywasadvancedintheWestlargelythroughtheworkofKarlBarthand
hisstudents,especiallyThomasF.TorranceandhisbrotherJamesB.Torrance.
ButthistheologyisasoldastheChurchitself.TrinitariantheologyformedthebasisofearlyChristian
teaching.ThisisreflectedintheApostlesCreed,NiceneCreedandtheDefinitionofChalcedon.Early
prominentTrinitarianteachersandtheologiansincludedIrenaeus,Athanasius,andGregoryofNazianzus.

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Irenaeus(diedA.D.202)wasadiscipleofPolycarp(whohadstudiedwiththeapostleJohn).Irenaeussought
toshowthatthegospelofsalvationtaughtbytheapostlesandhandeddownfromthemiscenteredonJesus.
HesawthattheBiblepresentstheIncarnationasanewpointofbeginningforhumanity.Throughthe
Incarnation,theentirehumanracewasbornagaininJesus,deliveredfromthesinanddeaththathad
enslavedtheworldsinceAdam.InJesus,humanityhasanewbeginningandanewidentity.
ThebiblicalfoundationofIrenaeusthinkingincludedPaulsstatementsinRomans5,whereJesusispresented
tousasthesecond(orfinal)Adamofthehumanrace.InJesus,wroteIrenaeus,Godrecapitulatedin
Himselftheancientformationofman[Adam],thatHemightkillsin,deprivedeathofitspower,andvivify
man...(AgainstHeresies,III.18.7).
IrenaeusunderstoodthatJesustookallhumanityintohimself,bothasourrepresentativebeforeGodandas
ourperfectsubstitutebeforeGod,therebyrenewingthehumanracethroughhislife,death,resurrectionand
ascension.
Irenaeustaughtthatthisrenewing,orrecreating,ofthehumanraceinJesusthroughtheIncarnationisnot
merelyaworkdonebyJesus.Oursalvationinvolvesmuchmorethanjusttheforgivenessofoursins.It
meansourentirerecreationinandthroughJesus.
Athanasius(diedA.D.373)defendedthegospelagainstfalseteacherswhodeniedtheSonseternaldivinity.
ThisdefenseledtotheformulationofthedoctrineoftheTrinityaffirmedattheCouncilofNiceainA.D.325.In
histreatiseOntheIncarnation,Athanasiuswrotethefollowing:
Thus,takingabodylikeourown,becauseallourbodieswereliabletothecorruptionofdeath,He
surrenderedHisbodytodeathintheplaceofall,andofferedittotheFather.ThisHedidoutofsheer
loveforus,sothatinHisdeathallmightdie.ThisHedidthatHemightturnagaintoincorruptionmen
whohadturnedbacktocorruption,andmakethemalivethroughdeathbytheappropriationofHisbody
andbythegraceofHisresurrection(section8).
WhatthenwasGodtodo?WhatelsecouldHepossiblydo,beingGod,butrenewHisImageinmankind,
sothatthroughitmenmightoncemorecometoknowHim?Andhowcouldthisbedone,savebythe
comingoftheveryImageHimself,ourSaviorJesusChrist?
TheWordofGodcameinHisownPerson,becauseitwasHealone,theImageoftheFather,Whocould
recreatemanmadeaftertheImage.Thusithappenedthattwooppositemarvelstookplaceatonce:the
deathofallwasconsummatedintheLordsbodyyetbecausetheWordwasinit,deathandcorruption
wereinthesameactutterlyabolished.Deaththerehadtobe,anddeathforall,sothatthedueofall
mightbepaid(section13).
WhereforetheWordbeingHimselfincapableofdeath,assumedamortalbody,thatHemightofferitas
hisownintheplaceofall,andsufferingforthesakeofallthroughHisunionwithit,mightbringto
noughthimthathadthepoweroverdeath,thatis,thedevil,andmightdeliverthemwhoalltheir
lifetimewereenslavedbythefearofdeath(Hebrews2:1415)(section20).
Byhisdeathsalvationhascometoallmen,andallcreationhasbeenredeemed(section37).
AthanasiusandIrenaeusemphasizedthattheIncarnation,whentheSonofGodbecameahumanbeing,
affectedallhumanity.Godchosetosavehumanitythroughthebirth,life,sacrificialdeathandresurrectionof
theIncarnateSonofGod.Thisistheessenceofthegospelunderstoodbytheearlychurchandrevealedinthe
Scriptures.
GregoryofNazianzus(diedA.D.389)wroteofhowChristsharedinourbrokenhumanitythroughhis
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Incarnation:
ThatwhichHehasnotassumedHehasnothealedbutthatwhichisunitedtoHisGodheadisalso
saved.IfonlyhalfAdamfell,thenthatwhichChristassumesandsavesmaybehalfalsobutifthe
wholeofhisnaturefell,itmustbeunitedtothewholenatureofHimthatwasbegotten,andsobesaved
asawhole.(Epistle101)
Christunitedhimselfwithouractualcondition,thatis,withfallenhumanity,notaprefallhumanity,inorder
toredeemit.AsJ.B.Torrancewasfondofsaying,thedoctorbecamethepatientinordertohealus.Its
importantforustoknowthatGod,inChrist,reallylovesusenoughtoembraceusatoursinfulworst.

Whoareyou,Lord?
Whoareyou,Lord?wasPaulsanguishedquestionontheDamascusRoad,wherehewasconfrontedbythe
resurrectedJesus(Acts9:5).Hespenttherestofhislifeansweringthisquestionandthensharingtheanswer
withallwhowouldlisten.Theanswer,revealedtousinScripture,istheheartofthegospelandthefocusof
Trinitariantheology.
JesusisfullyGodandfullyhuman,andthatwillneverchange.HisIncarnationdidnotendwithhisdeathor
withhisascension.Itcontinuesforever.Hewasresurrectedandascendedbodily.Hewillreturnbodily,the
sameashedeparted.SowhenwesayJesusChrist,wearesayingGod,andwearealsosayinghumanity.
AstheOnewhoisuniquelyGod(CreatorandSustainerofall)andalsofullyhuman,Jesus,inhimself,isthe
uniqueunionofGodandhumanity.Inandthroughthelife,death,resurrectionandascensionofJesus,all
humansareincludedinthelifeandloveofGod.AstheapostlePaulwrote,themanJesusistheonemediator
forallpeoplepast,present,andfuture(1Timothy2:5).

Forallhumanity
ThescopeofChristsvicarioushumanlifeextendstoallwhohaveeverlived.
Likewise,theBibledeclaresthatJesusdiedforeveryoneandthathisdeathappliestoeveryonenow.
Relevantpassagesinclude:
John12:32:I[Jesus],whenIamliftedupfromtheearth,willdrawallmentomyself.
2Corinthians5:14:Christslovecompelsus,becauseweareconvincedthatonediedforall,andtherefore
alldied.
Colossians1:1920:Godwaspleasedtohaveallhisfullnessdwellinhim,andthroughhimtoreconcileto
himselfallthings,whetherthingsonearthorthingsinheaven,bymakingpeacethroughhisblood,shedon
thecross.
1Timothy2:36:Thisisgood,andpleasesGodourSavior,whowantsallmentobesavedandtocometo
aknowledgeofthetruth.ForthereisoneGodandonemediatorbetweenGodandmen,themanChrist
Jesus,whogavehimselfasaransomforallmen.
1Timothy4:910:Thisisatrustworthysayingthatdeservesfullacceptancethatwehaveputourhopein
thelivingGod,whoistheSaviorofallmen,andespeciallyofthosewhobelieve.
Hebrews2:9:WeseeJesus,whosuffereddeath,sothatbythegraceofGodhemighttastedeathfor
everyone.
1John2:2:[Jesusis]theatoningsacrificeforoursins,andnotonlyforoursbutalsoforthesinsofthe
wholeworld.
SeealsoJohn1:293:17Romans8:322Corinthians5:1819Titus2:11and1John4:14.

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ThesepassagesmakeitplainthatJesusdiedforallhumanity.

Jesus,thesecondAdam
InRomans5,Pauladdressesbelievers,butwhathesaysappliestoallhumanitybelieversandnonbelievers
alike.AccordingtoPaul,throughJesus,allhumansare
JustifiedthroughthefaithofChrist(vv.1,18).
AtpeacewithGod(v.1).
Standinginhisgrace(v.2).
ReconciledtoGodthroughthedeathofJesus(v.10).
SavedthroughJesuslife(v.10).
Thisjustification,reconciliationandsalvationoccurred:
Whenwewerestillpowerless(v.6).
Whenwewerestillsinners(v.8).
WhenwewerestillGodsenemies(v.10).
Goddidallthisforusbeforewewereevenborn.ThebenefitofwhatJesusdidsolongagoextendstothepast,
tothepresentandintothefuture.Paulsays,howmuchmore,havingbeenreconciled,shallwebesaved
throughhislife(v.10)showingthatsalvationisnotaonetimetransaction,butanenduringrelationship
thatGodhaswithallhumanityarelationshipforgedwithinthepersonofJesusChristtheonewho,in
himself,hasbroughtGodandhumanitytogetherinpeace.
ContinuinginRomans5,PaulcomparesthefirstAdamtoJesus,callingthelatterthesecondorfinalAdam.
NotePaulsmainpoints:
Justassinenteredtheworldthroughoneman[Adam][and]allsinned(v.12).
HowmuchmoredidGodsgraceandthegiftthatcamebythegraceoftheoneman,JesusChrist[the
secondAdam],overflowtothemany?(v.15).
And,justastheresultofonetrespass[thatofthefirstAdam]wascondemnationforallmen,soalsothe
resultofoneactofrighteousness[thatofJesus,thesecondorfinalAdam]wasjustificationthatbringslife
forallmen(v.18).
Jesushasnotsimplydonesomethingforus,hehasdonesomethingwithusbyincludingusinhislife,death,
resurrectionandascension.
Therefore,weunderstandfromScripturethat
WhenJesusdied,allhumanitydiedwithhim.
WhenJesusrose,allhumanityrosetonewlifewithhim.
WhenJesusascended,allhumanityascendedandbecameseatedwithhimattheFathersside(Ephesians
2:46).
Whenpeoplebecomebelievers,theybegintoknowChristandenjoytheirrelationshipwithhim.

Salvationisrecreation
ThemiracleoftheIncarnationisnotsomethingthathappenedonceuponatime,nowpast.Itchangedhow
theentirecosmosiswireditisanewcreation(2Corinthians5:17).TheIncarnationchangedeverything
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forever,reachingbacktoallhumanhistory,andreachingforwardtoencompassalltimeasitunfolds.
PaulspeaksofthistransformationinRomans7:4,wherehesaysthatevenwhilewearealive,wearealready
deadtothelawbythebodyofChrist.Jesusdeathinhumanfleshforus,thoughahistoricevent,isapresent
realitythatappliestoallhumanity(past,presentandfuture).Youdied,PaulsaystotheColossians,and
yourlifeishidwithChristinGod(Colossians3:3).Evenbeforeweliterallydie,therefore,wearealreadydead
inJesusdeathandaliveinJesusresurrection.
OurunionwithChristinhislife,death,resurrectionandascensionisexpressedinEphesians2:56.HerePaul
assertsthatjustaswearedeadalreadyinthemysteryofJesussubstitutionarydeath,wehavealsoalready
beenmadealivetogetherwithhimandweareraiseduptogetherwithhimandseatedtogetherwithhim
intheheavenlyrealms.AllthiscomesfromGodsgrace.
GodsunionwithhumanityinChristincludeseveryhumanbeing,eventhosewholivedbeforeJesuscame.

ThefaithofChrist
Whatdoesitmeantobesavedbygracethroughfaith?Doesitmeanthatwearesavedbysomethingthatwe
do,ahumanworkoffaith?Ifitis,whathappenstouswhenourfaithisweakorfails?Thegoodnewsisthat
Jesushasdoneeverythingnecessaryforoursalvationfromstarttofinish,includingbelievingforus.David
Torrancewrites:
WearesavedbyChristsfaithandobediencetotheFather,notours.MybrotherTom[Torrance]often
quotedGal.2:20:IamcrucifiedwithChrist:neverthelessIliveyetnotI,butChristlivethinme:and
thelifewhichInowliveinthefleshIlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,wholovedme,andgavehimself
forme.SuchisthewordingoftheKJV,whichIbelieveisacorrecttranslationoftheGreek.
Othertranslators,likethoseoftheNewInternationalVersion,apparentlybecausetheyfounditso
difficulttobelievewecanlivebyChristsfaithratherthanourfaith,havealteredthetexttomakeit
read,IlivebyfaithintheSonofGod!somethingaltogetherdifferent!Thattranslationtakesaway
fromthevicariousnatureofChristslifeoffaith.Itisbyhisfaith[notours]thatwearesavedandlive!
Ourfaithisathankfulresponsetohisfaith.
Whenwelookbackalongourlivesandponderhowdisobedientweattimeshavebeenandcontinueto
be,itismarvelouslycomfortingtoknowthatChristgivesushislifeofobediencetotheFatherandthatit
isChristsobediencewhichcounts.Wearesavedbyhisobedience,notours.(AnIntroductionto
TorranceTheology,pp.78)

Inourplace
TheBibletellsusthatJesusisthealphaandtheomega,thebeginningandtheend(Revelation22:13).Thatis
whywecanfreelytrusthimtobeourallinallandnotevenworryaboutwhetherourfaithitselfisgood
enoughorstrongenough.ThomasTorranceexplainsitthisway:
JesusstepsintotheactualsituationwherewearesummonedtohavefaithinGod,tobelieveandtrustin
him,andheactsinourplaceandinoursteadfromwithinthedepthsofourunfaithfulnessandprovides
usfreelywithafaithfulnessinwhichwemayshare.Thatistosay,ifwethinkofbelief,trustorfaithas
formsofhumanactivitybeforeGod,thenwemustthinkofJesusChristasbelieving,trusting,orhaving
faithinGodtheFatheronourbehalfandinourplace.
Throughhisincarnationalandatoningunionwithusourfaithisimplicatedinhisfaith,andthroughthat
implication,farfrombeingdepersonalisedordehumanised,itismadetoissuefreelyandspontaneously
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outofourownhumanlifebeforeGod.Regardedmerelyinitself,however,asCalvinusedtosay,faithis
anemptyvessel,forinfaithitisuponthefaithfulnessofChristthatwerestandeventhewayinwhich
werestonhimissustainedandundergirdedbyhisunfailingfaithfulness.(TheMediationofChrist,pp.
8284)

Butwhatabouthumanchoice?
Ifitisthelife,faithandobedienceofJesusChristthatsavesusandincludesusinthatsalvation,whatisour
role?Beforediscussingtheroleofhumanresponse,itwillbehelpfultoreviewthefollowingscripturaltruths:
ThroughunionwithJesus,allhumanityis
reconciledtotheFather,
liked,lovedandwantedbytheFather,
acceptedintheBeloved(Ephesians1:6,KJV),and
forgiven(norecordofsinandnocondemnation).
Thegospeldeclaresnotthepossibilityorthepotentialofthesethingsbeingtrueforus,butarealitythatwe
areurgedtoaccept.BytheHolySpiritwemayfreelywelcomethetruthandwalkinit,butGoddoesnotforce
ustoacceptthetruth.Godinsiststhatlovemustbefreelygivenandfreelyreceiveditcannotbecoerced,orit
isnotlove.
WhiletheintegrityofourGodgivenhumanfreedommustbemaintained,itmustalsobemaintainedthat
humanbeingsdonotstartfromaneutralpointwheretheymayequallyandfreelychoosetoloveorreject
God.SincethetruthofeveryhumanbeingisalreadyimplicatedinthetruthofJesusChrist,torejectGod
wouldbeanantitruthmoveandthereforeanantifreeone.Truthandfreedomalwaysgotogether,asKarl
Barthneverhesitatestoremindus:
TherealfreedomofmanisdecidedbythefactthatGodishisGod.Infreedomhecanonlychoosetobe
themanofGod,i.e.,tobethankfultoGod.Withanyotherchoicehewouldsimplybegropinginthe
void,betrayinganddestroyinghistruehumanity.Insteadofchoosingfreedom,hewouldbechoosing
enslavement.(ChurchDogmaticsIV.1,p.43)
Sowhatisourrole?Wemayfreelychoosetorespondtothegospelwiththankfulandhopefulhearts,
encouragingandbuildingoneanotherupintheBodyofChrist.Aswecelebratetherealityofgracetogetherin
ourcommunitiesofworship,ourlivesaretrulytransformed.

Personalresponse
WemusttakecarenottoconfusewhatistrueinJesusforallhumanitywitheachindividualspersonal
responsetothattruth.
WedonotdecideforChristinthesensethatourpersonaldecisioncausesoursalvation.Rather,weaccept
whatisoursalreadyinChrist,placingourtrustintheonewhohasalreadytrustedforusinourplace.
Whenwepersonallybelievethegospel,whichistoacceptwhatisalreadyoursbygrace,webeginto
participateinGodsloveforus.WebegintoliveoutthenewcreationthatGod,priortooureverbelieving,
madeustobeinChrist.
Thereisthegeneral,orobjective,truthaboutallhumanityinJesus,andalsothepersonal,orsubjective,
experienceofthistruth.

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Objectively,allpeople,past,presentandfuture,arejustifiedalreadyallaresanctifiedallarereconciledin
Jesusinandthroughwhathehasdoneastheirrepresentativeandsubstitute.InJesus,objectively,theoldself
hasalreadypassedawayinhim,objectively,wearealreadythenewhumanity,representedassuchbyhim
beforeandwithGod.
However,althoughallpeoplearealreadyobjectivelyredeemedbyJesusChrist,notallhaveyetpersonallyand
subjectivelyawakenedtoandacceptedwhatGodhasdoneforthem.Theydonotyetknowwhotheytrulyare
inunionwithJesus.
Whatisobjectivelytrueforeveryonemustbesubjectivelyandpersonallyreceivedandexperiencedthrough
repentanceandfaith.Repentanceandfaithdonotcauseapersonssalvation,butsalvationcannotbe
experiencedandenjoyedwithoutthem.RepentanceandfaitharethemselvesgiftsofGod.
IntheScriptures,wefindsomeversesthatspeaktothegeneral/objectivenatureofsalvation,whileothers
speaktothepersonal/subjectivenatureofsalvation.Botharerealandtruebutthepersonalistrueonly
becausethegeneralisapreexistingreality.
ThesetwocategoriesarefoundthroughoutScripturebothsometimesoccurringinonepassage,ashappens
in2Corinthians5:1821.Paulstartsinverses1819withtheobjective/universalnatureofsalvation:Allthis
isfromGod,whoreconciled[pasttense]ustohimselfthroughChristandgaveustheministryof
reconciliation:thatGodwasreconcilingtheworldtohimselfinChrist,notcountingmenssinsagainstthem.
Andhehascommittedtousthemessageofreconciliation.
HereisageneraltruththatappliesobjectivelytoallallarealreadyreconciledtoGodthroughwhatJesushas
doneinunionwithallhumanity.
Havingestablishedthegeneraltruthin2Corinthians5:1821,Paulgoesoninverses2021toaddressthe
subjective/personal:WearethereforeChristsambassadors,asthoughGodweremakinghisappealthrough
us.WeimploreyouonChristsbehalf:BereconciledtoGod.Godmadehimwhohadnosintobesinforus.
Howcanallbereconciledalreadyandyettheinvitationgoouttobereconciledsuggestingareconciliation
yettooccur?Theansweristhatbotharetruethesearetwoaspectsofonetruth.Allarealreadyreconciledin
Christthisistheuniversalandobjectivetruthbutnotallyetembraceandthereforeexperiencetheir
reconciliationwithGod.
Tobereconciledandyetnotknowandexperienceitistocontinuetoliveasthoughoneisnotreconciled.
HavingoneseyesopenedbytheSpirittothisreconciliation,choosingtoembraceit,andthenexperiencingit
doesnotcausethereconciliationtooccur,butitdoesmakeitpersonallyrealized.
Thus,theevangelisticinvitationfromChristsambassadors(verse20)istobereconciled.Butthisappealis
nottodosomethingthatwouldcauseGodtoreconcileusratheritisanappealtoreceivethereconciliation
thatexistsalreadywithGodinChrist.Aswewelcomethetruthofthegospel,wecanthelpbutworshipour
LordandSavior!

Part2:Questions&Answers
LetsnowaddressseveralcommonquestionsandobjectionstoTrinitariantheology.

QAreyousayingthereisnodifferencebetweenaChristianandanon
Christian?
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ANo.WearesayingthatbecauseofwhoJesusisandwhathehasdone,allhumansbelieversandnon
believersareunitedtoGodinandthroughJesus.Asaresult,allpeoplearereconciledtoGodallhavebeen
adoptedashisdearlylovedchildren.All,inandthroughJesus,areincludedintheTriuneloveandlifeofGod:
Father,SonandSpirit.
However,notallpeopleknowwhoChristisandthereforewhotheyareinChrist.Theyarenotbelievers.
Onewaytospeakofthedistinctionbetweenbelieversandnonbelieversistosaythatallpeopleareincluded
inChrist(universally)butonlybelieversactivelyparticipate(personally)inthatinclusion.
WeseethesedistinctionsspokenofthroughouttheNewTestament,andtheyareimportant.However,we
mustnottakethesedistinctionstoofarandthinkofnonbelieversasnotacceptedbyandnotlovedbyGod.To
seetheminthiswaywouldbetooverlookthegreattruthofwhoJesusChristisandwhathehasdonealready
forallhumanity.Itwouldbetoturnthegoodnewsintobadnews.
WhenweseeallhumanityinChrist,someofthecategorieswemighthaveheldinourthinkingfallaway.We
nolongerseenonbelieversasoutsidersbutaschildrenofGodinneedofunderstandinghowmuchtheir
Fatherlovesthem,likesthem,andwantsthem.Weapproachthemasbrothersandsisters.Dotheyknowwho
theyareinChrist?NoanditisourprivilegetotellthemofGodsloveforthem.

QIfallarereconciledalreadytoGodinChrist,whydoesScripturesaysomuch
aboutrepentanceandfaith?
AIntheNewTestament,theGreekwordtranslatedrepentanceismetanoia,whichmeanschangeofmind.
AllhumanityisinvitedandenabledbytheSpirittoexperiencearadicalchangeofmindawayfromsinful
egoisticselfcenterednessandtowardGodandhisloveexperiencedinunionwithJesusChristthroughtheHoly
Spirit.
NoticePetersinvitationtothischangeofmindinActs2:3839:Repentandbebaptized,everyoneofyou,in
thenameofJesusChristfortheforgivenessofyoursins.AndyouwillreceivethegiftoftheHolySpirit.The
promiseisforyouandyourchildrenandforallwhoarefaroffforallwhomtheLordourGodwillcall.
Goddoesnotforgivepeopleinexchangefortheirrepentanceandbelief.AsScriptureproclaims,forgivenessis
anunconditionalfreegiftthatisentirelyofgrace.Itisarealitythatexistsforusevenbeforeweenterintoitin
ourexperience.
ThegospeltruththetruthaboutJesusandaboutallhumanityinunionwithGodinJesusisthatGodhas
alreadyforgivenallhumanitywithaforgivenessthatisunconditionalandthereforetrulyfree:Therefore,
invitesPeter,repentandbelievethistruthandbebaptizedbytheSpiritwiththemindofJesuswhich
involvessupernaturalassurancethatwetrulyarethechildrenofGod.
RepentanceisachangeofmindandheartitinvolvescomingtoknowwhoJesusisforusandwhowearein
him,apartfromanythingwehavedoneorwillyetdo.Throughrepentance,whichisGodsgifttous,ourminds
arerenewedinJesusthroughtheSpiritandweturntohimandbegintotrusthim.
TheSpiritmovesustorepentbecauseourforgivenesshasalreadybeenaccomplishedinChrist,notinorderto
beforgiven.Werepentbecauseweknowthat,inJesus,oursinshavealreadybeenforgivenandthat,inJesus,
wearealreadyanewcreation.Inthisrepentance,weturnfromthealienationwithinusastheSpiritbaptizes
ourmindsinJesusacceptanceandintheassurancethatcomeswithit.

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QWhydoesPaulsaythatifyoudonthavetheSpirit,youdontbelongto
Christ?
ARomans8:9says,YouarecontrollednotbythesinfulnaturebutbytheSpirit,iftheSpiritofGodlivesin
you.AndifanyonedoesnothavetheSpiritofChrist,hedoesnotbelongtoChrist.
ThesentenceAndifanyonedoesnothavetheSpiritofChrist,hedoesnotbelongtoChristisnotmeantto
beliftedoutofcontextandturnedintoaproofthatsomepeopledonotbelongtoGod.Inthecontextofthis
passage,Paulisaddressingbelieversheisnotmakingastatementhereaboutnonbelievers.Heiswarning
disobedientbelieverswhoarerefusingtosubmittotheHolySpiritintheirlives.Ineffect,heissaying,You
saythattheSpiritofGodisinyou,andyouareright.However,yourlifeshouldbereflectingthepresenceof
theSpiritofChrist.AsPaulsaysinverse12,Wehaveanobligationbutitisnottothesinfulnature(see
verses1017).

QIftheworldisreconciled,whywouldJesussaythathedoesntprayforthe
world?
AInJohn17:9,Jesussays:Iprayforthem[hisdisciples].Iamnotprayingfortheworld,butforthoseyou
havegivenme,fortheyareyours.
JustbecauseJesussaidinoneinstancethathewasnotprayingfortheworld,butinsteadforhisdisciples,
doesnotimplythatheneverprayedfortheworld.Itisjustthatrightthen,hisemphasiswasonhisdisciples.
ItisalsoimportanttounderstandhowJohnusesthewordworld(kosmosinGreek)intheflowofhisGospel.
Attimesthewordcanrefertoallpeople(whoarealllovedbyGodseeJohn3:16)whileatothertimesitcan
refertotheworldlysystemthatishostiletowardGod.
ItisapparentlythissystemthatJesushasinmindinJohn17.SincethissystemresistsGod,Jesusprayer
doesnotincludeit.Heisnotprayingfortheworldinitscurrentform,rather,heisprayingforagroupof
peoplewhomhecanusetodeclarehislovefortheworld.
Lateroninhisprayer,Jesusdoeshavethewholeworldinmind.Hepraysthatallofhisfollowersmaybeone,
Fathersothattheworldmaybelievethatyouhavesentme(John17:21).JustasJohn3:16said,Godloves
thewholeworldandwantstosaveeveryone.

QIfallarereconciledalreadytoGod,whydoesScripturespeakofhell?
AScripturespeaksofhellbecauseitisthenaturalconsequenceofrebellionagainstGod.ThatiswhyChrist
came.GodallowsustorespondtowhathehasdoneforusinChrist.WeareincludedinChrist,butwecan
refusethatinclusion.WearereconciledtotheFather,butwecanrefusethatreconciliation.
However,suchrefusaldoesnotnegatewhatGodhasdoneforallhumanityinChrist.
InTheGreatDivorce,C.S.Lewiswrote:
ThereareonlytwokindsofpeopleintheendthosewhosaytoGod,Thywillbedone,andthoseto
whomGodsays,intheend,Thywillbedone.Allthatareinhell,chooseit.Withoutthatselfchoice
therecouldbenohell.Nosoulthatseriouslyandconstantlydesiresjoywillevermissit.Thosewhoseek
find.Tothosewhoknockitisopened.

QWhydoestheBibletalkaboutpeoplewhosenamesarenotinthebookof
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life?
ARevelation13:8says,Allinhabitantsoftheearthwillworshipthebeastallwhosenameshavenotbeen
writteninthebookoflifebelongingtotheLambthatwasslainfromthecreationoftheworld.
Revelation17:8says,Theinhabitantsoftheearthwhosenameshavenotbeenwritteninthebookoflifefrom
thecreationoftheworldwillbeastonishedwhentheyseethebeast.
WeneedtoconsidertheliterarycontextofthesestatementsinRevelation.Johnwritesusingaliterarygenre
(style)knownasapocalyptic.Thisgenre,whichwascommonlyusedbyJewishwritersinJohnsday,ishighly
symbolic.Thereisnotaliteralbookoflife.Thebookoflifeisafigureofspeech,asymbolicwayof
referringtothosewhoareinallegiancewiththeLamb.TheseversesinRevelationrefertopeoplewhoreject
thenewlifethatChristhasalreadysecuredforthem.

QWhydoesPetersayitishardtobesaved?
AFirstPeter4:1718says:ForitistimeforjudgmenttobeginwiththefamilyofGodandifitbeginswithus,
whatwilltheoutcomebeforthosewhodonotobeythegospelofGod?And,Ifitishardfortherighteousto
besaved,whatwillbecomeoftheungodlyandthesinner?
Thepointofverses1718isfoundinverse19:Sothen,thosewhosufferaccordingtoGodswillshould
committhemselvestotheirfaithfulCreatorandcontinuetodogood.
PeterhasbeenencouragingpersecutedbelieverstoliveinaccordwiththeiridentityaschildrenofGodandnot
likethosewholiveindebaucheryandidolatry(verses15).
Aspartofhisargument,hepointsoutthatpersecutionisparticipationinthesufferingofChrist,andtherefore
ifbelieversaretosuffer,theyshouldsufferfortheirfaithandgodlybehaviorinsteadofsufferingforsinfuland
ungodlybehavior(verses1216).Hispointisthatbelievers,whoknowthatJesus,theSavior,isthemerciful
Judgeofall,shouldnotbelivinginthesamebaseandevilwaysasthosewhoopposeChrist.
Itisactuallyimpossibleforanyonetobesaved
wereitnotforChrist.Christhasdonewhatisimpossiblefor

humanstodoforthemselves,butthosewhorejectChristarenotparticipatinginChristssufferingthey
participateintheirownsufferingastheyreapwhattheysow.

QWhatiseverlastingcontemptanddestruction?
ADaniel12:2reads,Multitudeswhosleepinthedustoftheearthwillawake:sometoeverlastinglife,others
toshameandeverlastingcontempt.
SecondThessalonians1:69says,Godisjust:Hewillpaybacktroubletothosewhotroubleyouandgive
relieftoyouwhoaretroubled,andtousaswell.ThiswillhappenwhentheLordJesusisrevealedfromheaven
inblazingfirewithhispowerfulangels.HewillpunishthosewhodonotknowGodanddonotobeythegospel
ofourLordJesus.Theywillbepunishedwitheverlastingdestructionandshutoutfromthepresenceofthe
Lordandfromthemajestyofhispower.
BothofthesepassagesrefertothetimeofthefinaljudgmentwhenJesusisrevealed(sometimesreferredto
astheSecondComingorJesusreturninglory).ThisisthetimewhenallhumanswillseeclearlywhoJesus
isandthuswhotheyareinunionwithJesus.Andthisrevealingpresentstothemachoicewilltheysay
yestotheirinclusioninChrist,orwilltheysayno?
Theirdecisionneithercreatesnordestroystheirinclusion,butitdoesdeterminetheirattitudetowardit
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whethertheywillacceptGodsloveforthemandenterthejoyoftheLord,orcontinueinalienationand
frustration(andthusinshameandeverlastingcontemptanddestruction).Thedestructionisaselfdestruction
astheyrefusethepurposeforwhichtheyhavebeenmade,andtheredemptionthathasalreadybeengivento
them.
IntheJudgment,everyonewillfaceJesus,theJudgewhodiedforall,andtheywillhavetodecidewhether
theywilltrusthim.ThosewhotrusttheirSaviortakepartinthejoyofthelifeGodhasgiventheminChrist.
Thosewhorejecthimcontinueintheirhostilityandthehellthatgoeswithit.

QWhataboutthenarrowgate?
AJesussaysinMatthew7:1314:Enterthroughthenarrowgate.Forwideisthegateandbroadistheroad
thatleadstodestruction,andmanyenterthroughit.Butsmallisthegateandnarrowtheroadthatleadsto
life,andonlyafewfindit.
Jesusisspeakingofthislifenowonthissideofthegeneralresurrection.Inthisday,mostarelivingonthe
broadroadofdestruction.ThoughtheyareincludedinChrist,theyliveasiftheywerenot.Onlythefew
haveinthistimeembracedthetruththatisinJesusanditishewhoisthenarrowgate.
JesusaddressesasimilarissueinMatthew7:2123:Noteveryonewhosaystome,Lord,Lord,willenterthe
kingdomofheaven,butonlyhewhodoesthewillofmyFatherwhoisinheaven.Manywillsaytomeonthat
day,Lord,Lord,didwenotprophesyinyourname,andinyournamedriveoutdemonsandperformmany
miracles?ThenIwilltellthemplainly,Ineverknewyou.Awayfromme,youevildoers!
Thesepeoplehavedonemiracles,andindoingsohavedeceivedmany.TheyclaimtoknowJesus,andthough
Jesusobviouslyknowsthem(heisomniscient),hedoesnotseehimselfinthemwithregardtotheiractual
faithorbehavior,andsoheproclaims,Ineverknewyou.

QButdontwebecomeGodschildrenonlyatthepointofbelief?
AJohn1:1213says,Yettoallwhoreceivedhim,tothosewhobelievedinhisname,hegavetherightto
becomechildrenofGodchildrenbornneitherofnaturaldescent,norofhumandecisionorahusbandswill,
butbornofGod.
WehavealreadyseeninScripturethatGodhasincludedeveryoneinthevicarioushumanityofJesus.Whenhe
died,wealldiedwhenheroseweallwerebornagaininhim.Thereforeallhumansare,fromGods
perspective,alreadyhischildren.Hegivespeoplethatrightlongbeforetheyacceptit.
ThosewhobelieveandacceptJesusenterintoandbegintoexperiencethenewlifethathasbeentheirsall
along,thenewlifethathasbeenhiddenwithChristinGod(Colossians3:3).Inotherwords,whathasbeen
objectivelytrueforthemallalongbecomessubjectivelyandpersonallyexperiencedwhentheybecome
believers.

QIsthisuniversalism?
ANotinthesensethateverypersonwillbesavedregardlessofwhethertheyevertrustinChrist.Thereisno
salvationoutsideofJesusChrist(Acts4:12).ButJesusatonementisuniversal(Romans5:18).
ScriptureshowsthatGod,inChrist,hasreconciledallhumanstohimself(Colossians1:20),buthewillnever
forceanypersontoembracethatreconciliation.Lovecannotbecoerced.

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Godwantssonsanddaughterswholovehimoutofajoyfulresponsetohislove,notzombieswhohaveno
mindorchoiceoftheirown.AshasbeenrevealedinJesusChrist,Godisloveinhisinnermostbeing,andin
GodthePersonsoftheTrinityrelatetooneanotherinthefreedomoflove.
TohopethatallpeoplewillfinallycometoChristisnotuniversalismitissimplyChristianandreflectsthe
heartofGod(1Timothy2:362Peter3:9).However,wecannotprofesstoknowwhethereverypersonwill
finallycometofaith.

QIfweareincludedalready,whystruggletolivetheChristianlife?
ASomepeopledonotliketheideathatotherswhodonotworkashardastheydowillendupwiththesame
rewardasthey(seeparableofthelaborersinthevineyard,Matthew20:1215).Butthisconcernoverlooksthe
truththatnoone,nomatterhowhardtheywork,deservessalvation.Thatiswhyitis,foreveryone,afree
gift.
However,inScripturewelearnthatourparticipationnowinJesusloveandlifebearsgoodfruitandpersonal
joythatstretchintoeternity.Livinginungodlywaysresultsinpain,anguishandmiseryforoneselfandothers.
ThatiswhyGoddoesntwantustolivethatway.Considerthefollowingpassages:
1Corinthians3:1115:Noonecanlayanyfoundationotherthantheonealreadylaid,whichisJesusChrist.If
anymanbuildsonthisfoundationusinggold,silver,costlystones,wood,hayorstraw,hisworkwillbeshown
forwhatitis,becausetheDaywillbringittolight.Itwillberevealedwithfire,andthefirewilltestthequality
ofeachmanswork.Ifwhathehasbuiltsurvives,hewillreceivehisreward.Ifitisburnedup,hewillsuffer
losshehimselfwillbesaved,butonlyasoneescapingthroughtheflames.
Galatians6:78:Donotbedeceived:Godcannotbemocked.Amanreapswhathesows.Theonewhosows
topleasehissinfulnature,fromthatnaturewillreapdestructiontheonewhosowstopleasetheSpirit,from
theSpiritwillreapeternallife.

QWhataboutChristianmission?IfallareincludedalreadyinGodsloveand
lifethroughJesus,whydoweproclaimthegospeltotheworldandmake
disciplesforJesus?
AItisJesusunionwitheachofusthatprovidesthebasisandfoundationforeveryaspectofourlife,including
ourparticipationinmissionandministrywithJesus.TheloveofChristcompelsustotakepartinwhatJesusis
doingintheworldthroughtheSpirit.Wedeclarethegospelandinviteallpeopletoreceiveandembraceit.In
doingso,wehopewhatistrueofthemalready(inanobjectivesense)willbeexperiencedbythempersonally
(inasubjectivesense).

QHowdoweexplainJohn6:44?
AJohn6:44says,NoonecancometomeunlesstheFatherwhosentmedrawshim.
TheJewishreligiousleaderswereseekingtodeflectJesusseeminglyoutrageousclaim:Iamthebreadoflife
thatcamedownfromheaven(John6:41).Thisstatementwastantamounttoclaimingdivinestatus.
JesusreplytotheJewishleaderscomplaintconcerningthisclaimwasthattheystopgrumbling(v.43)and
realizethatnoonecancometome[thebreadofheaven]unlesstheFatherwhosentmedrawshim(v.
44).Jesuspointisthatthepeoplewouldnotberesponding,exceptthatGodwasmakingitpossibleforthem
todoso.

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Inthispassage,Jesusisnotlimitingthenumberofpeoplewhoaredrawntohimheisshowingthatheis
doingtheFatherswork.Elsewherehesays:WhenIamliftedup,Iwilldrawallpeopletomyself(John
12:32).AndsinceJesusdoesonlywhathisFatherwants,John12:32showsthattheFatherindeeddrawsall
peopletoJesus.

QIftheentirecosmosisincludedinChrist,whyistherestillevilintheworld?
AThefullnessofthekingdomofGodwillnotarriveuntilJesusSecondComing.AsPeterpreachedontheday
ofPentecost,Repent,then,andturntoGod,sothatyoursinsmaybewipedout,thattimesofrefreshingmay
comefromtheLord,andthathemaysendtheChrist,whohasbeenappointedforyouevenJesus.Hemust
remaininheavenuntilthetimecomesforGodtorestoreeverything,ashepromisedlongagothroughhisholy
prophets(Acts3:1920).
Inthemeantime,wefindassuranceinJesuswords:Inthisworldyouwillhavetribulation,butbeofgood
cheer,forIhaveovercometheworld(John16:33).

QHowdoesthistheologycomparetoCalvinismandArminianism?
AIncomparingandcontrastingChristiantheologies,wearetalkingaboutdifferentapproachesamong
ChristianbrothersandsisterswhoseektoservethesameLord.Thus,ourdiscussionshouldreflectrespectand
gentleness,notarroganceorhostility.
CalvinismisatheologythatdevelopedfromtheteachingsoftheProtestantreformerJohnCalvin(15091564).
CalvinismemphasizesGodssovereigntyinelectionandsalvation.MostCalvinistsdefineGodselectasa
subsetofthehumanraceChristdiedforonlysomepeople(limitedatonement).Thosehediddiefor,
however,weretrulyandeffectivelysavedinthefinishedworkofChrist,longbeforetheybecameawareofit
andacceptedit.AccordingtoCalvinistdoctrine,itisinevitablethatthoseChristdiedforwillcometofaithin
himatsomepoint.Thisiscalledirresistiblegrace.
TrinitariantheologysmaindisagreementwithCalvinismisoverthescopeofreconciliation.TheBibleasserts
thatChristmadeatonementnotonlyforoursins,butforthesinsofthewholeworld(1John2:2).Andwhile
Trinitariantheologyrejectstherestrictiveextentoflimitedatonementandthedeterminismofirresistible
grace,itagreeswithCalvinismthatforgiveness,reconciliation,redemption,justification,etc.wereall
accomplishedeffectivelybywhatChristdid.Thesegospeltruthshavenothingtodowithwhatwedoordont
do.
ArminianismderivesfromtheteachingsofanotherProtestantreformer,JacobArminius(15601609).Arminius
insistedthatJesusdiedforallhumanity,andthatallpeoplecanbesavediftheytakenecessary,personal
action,whichisenabledbytheSpirit.Thistheology,whilenotignoringGodssovereignty,tendstorelyona
personshumandecisionandfreewill.Itspremiseisthatsalvation,forgiveness,reconciliation,redemption,
justification,etc.arenotactuallyeffectiveuntilapersonhasfaith.
TrinitariantheologydiffersfromArminianismovertheeffectivenessofthereconciliation.Atonement,orat
onementbetweenGodandhumanity,isonlyahypotheticalpossibilityforArminiansitdoesnotbecomean
accomplishedactualityuntilonesdecisionoffaith.Trinitariantheology,however,teachesthattheatonement
andreconciliationisobjectivelytrueevenbeforeithasbeensubjectivelyacceptedandexperienced.
WhileCalvinismandArminianismemphasizedifferentaspectsofsalvationtheology,Trinitariantheologyhas
attempted,asdidChurchFathersIrenaeus,Athanasius,andGregory,tomaintaininharmonythewideness
emphasizedbyArminianswiththeeffectivenessemphasizedbyCalvinists.

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QWhatisperichoresis?
ATheeternalcommunionoflovethatFather,SonandSpiritshareastheTrinityinvolvesamysteryofinter
relationshipandinterpenetrationofthedivinePersons,amutualindwellingwithoutlossofpersonalidentity.As
Jesussaid,theFatherisinme,andIintheFather(John10:38).EarlyGreekspeakingChristiantheologians
describedthisrelationshipwiththewordperichoresis,whichisderivedfromrootwordsmeaningaroundand
contain.EachpersonoftheTrinityiscontainedwithintheotherstheydwellinoneanother.

TipsonBiblicalExegesis
Inthisbooklet,wehavesoughttoaddresstypicalquestionsandobjectionsthatariseaspeopleconsider
Trinitariantheology.Nodoubt,thereareotherversesthatbringsimilarquestionsorobjections.Whatwehave
soughttodointhisbookletistodemonstrateaTrinitarian,Christcenteredapproachtoreadingand
interpretingallpassagesofHolyScripture.
SomeobjecttotheideaofinterpretingScripture.Theysay,IjustlettheBiblesaywhatitmeans.Thisidea,
thoughadmirable,isnotaccurate.Theactofreadingis,necessarily,anactofinterpretation.Sotheissueis
notwhethertointerpretitisthis:Whatcriteriadoweuseininterpretingasweread?
WealwaysbringtoScripturecertainideasandadvanceassumptions.Whatweareurginghereisthatwecome
toScripturewiththetruthofwhoJesusChristisasthebeginningpointandtheongoingcriterionbywhichwe
readandinterprettheHolyScriptures.JesusmustbethelensthroughwhichallScriptureisread.
Therefore,inreadingScripture,werecommendthinkingaboutthefollowingquestions:
Howdoesthispassagelineupwiththegospel,whichanswersthequestion,WhoisJesus?
Isthispassagereferringtotheuniversal,objectivesalvationofallhumanityinJesus,orisitreferringto
thepersonal,subjectiveexperienceofacceptingorrejectingthatsalvation?
Whatisthehistorical,cultural,andliterarycontext?
Howisthispassagewordedinothertranslations?Othertranslationscansometimeshelpusseepassages
fromdifferentperspectives.ItsalsohelpfultocheckGreeklexiconsandothertranslationhelps,because
someoftherichnessandsubtletiesoftheGreekNewTestamentarelostintranslationsintoother
languages.
Foraguidetobiblicalexegesis,youmayfindithelpfultoconsultHowtoReadtheBibleforAllIts
Worth,byGordonD.FeeandDouglasStuart(Zondervan,1981,1993)orElementsofBiblicalExegesis:A
BasicGuideforStudentsandMinisters,byMichaelJ.Gorman(Hendrickson,2009).

KeypointsofTrinitarian,ChristCenteredTheology
Followingaresomebasicpreceptsofthetheologypresentedinthisbooklet.
1. TheTriuneGodcreatedallpeopletoparticipatethroughthevicarioushumanityofJesusChristinthelove
relationshipenjoyedbytheFather,SonandSpirit.
2. TheSonbecamehuman,themanJesusChrist,toreconcileallhumanitytoGodthroughhisbirth,life,
death,resurrectionandascension.
3. Thecrucified,resurrectedandglorifiedJesusistherepresentativeandthesubstituteforhumanityatthe
righthandoftheFather,andhedrawsallpeopletohimselfbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.
4. InChrist,humanityislovedandacceptedbytheFather.
5. JesusChristpaidforalloursinspast,presentandfutureandthereisnolongeranydebttopay.
6. TheFatherhasinChristforgivenalloursins,andheeagerlydesiresthatweturntohim.
7. Wecanenjoyhisloveonlywhenwebelievethathelovesus.Wecanenjoyhisforgivenessonlywhenwe
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believehehasforgivenus.
8. WhenwerespondtotheSpiritbyturningtoGod,believingthegoodnewsandpickingupourcrossand
followingJesus,theSpiritleadsusintothetransformedlifeofthekingdomofGod.

RecommendedResourcesforFurtherStudy
TostudyTrinitarian,Christcenteredtheologyingreaterdepth,werecommendthefollowingresources,listed
alphabetically:

Books
KarlBarth,DogmaticsinOutline(Harper&Row,1959130pages)
KarlBarth,EvangelicalTheology:AnIntroduction(Eerdmans,2000210pages)
GrahamBuxton,DancingintheDark(Paternoster,2001310pages)
RobertF.Capon,Kingdom,Grace,Judgment(Eerdmans,2002522pages)
ElmerColyer,HowtoReadT.F.Torrance(InterVarsity,2001393pages)
GerritScottDawson,editor,AnIntroductiontoTorranceTheology(T&TClark,2007,179pages)
TrevorHart,FaithThinking:TheDynamicsofChristianTheology(Wipf&Stock,2005248pages)
GeorgeHunsinger,HowtoReadKarlBarth:TheShapeofHisTheology(OxfordUniversityPress,1993320
pages)
MichaelJinkins,InvitationtoTheology(InterVarsity,2001278pages)
C.BaxterKruger,TheGreatDance(Regent,2000121pp.)
PaulLouisMetzger,TheWordofChristandtheWorldofCulture:SacredandSecularThroughtheTheologyof
KarlBarth(Wipf&Stock,2005252pages)
PaulD.Molnar,ThomasF.Torrance(Ashgate,2009382pages)
JamesB.Torrance,Worship,CommunityandtheTriuneGodofGrace(InterVarsity,1996130pages)
ThomasF.Torrance,TheMediationofChrist(Helmers&Howard,1992126pages)

GCIarticles
GraceCommunionInternationalhashundredsofhelpfularticlesthataddressChristianbeliefandpractice.
Followingisalistofarticles(withwebaddressesnoted)thatunpackkeyaspectsofGCIsTrinitarian,Christ
centeredtheology.
GoodNewsforBadPeoplewww.gci.org/gospel/badpeople
TheGospelReallyIsGoodNewswww.gci.org/gospel/reallyis
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GettingaGriponRepentancewww.gci.org/gospel/repentance
PredestinationDoesGodReallyLetYouChooseYourOwnFate?www.gci.org/god/predestination
Theology:WhatDifferenceDoesItMake?www.gci.org/god/theology
TheTrinity:JustaDoctrine?www.gci.org/god/trinity
FoundationsofTheologyforGraceCommunionInternationalwww.gci.org/av/theology

GCIvideoprograms
YoureIncluded.ThisonlineprogrampresentsinterviewshostedbyDr.J.MichaelFeazell,GCIvicepresident,
withTrinitariantheologiansandauthors.Viewordownloadtheseinterviewsatwww.youreincluded.org .
SpeakingofLife.ThisonlineprogrampresentsshortdiscussionsbyDr.JosephTkach,GCIpresident,onbiblical
topicsfromaTrinitarianperspective.Viewordownloadtheseprogramsatwww.speakingoflife.org .

AnolderversionofthisarticlehasbeentranslatedintoWelsh.Clickhereforthepdfdocument.

RelatedArticles&Content:
Otherarticlesaboutthistopic:Calvinism

perichoresis

theology ThomasF.Torrance universalism

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