If God is not three in one, we cannot be saved...

Salvation is impossible with a non-trinitarian God.  Ephesians 1:3-14 is possibly the best explanation of this.  Each member of the Trinity is so interwoven in this text, it is difficult to separate them.  From the get go in verse 3, it says Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.  According to this, it was the Father's work to bless us, but He did it in Christ.  We do not receive the Father's blessings apart from union with Christ.  From v. 13, we see that Holy Spirit seals these blessings for us; we are brought into union with Christ by the power of the Spirit (see also John 6:44).  

Another angle to view the Trinity's work in our salvation is to notice the progression in the passage.  Let me note that I learned this from "Pastor Joe" who is featured on this song that I highly recommend.  In verses 4 & 5, the Father chose us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world...In love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will (notice again, the difficulty of separating this work from union with Christ).  From this we see that the Father arranged our salvation.  Then v. 7 says that in [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.  Here we see that the Son, through His life, death, and resurrection, accomplished our salvation.  Finally, v. 13, [we] were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit applied our salvation.  

So why is salvation impossible without a Trinitarian God?  Because of His holiness and our sin.  In order for God to restore us to Himself, His justice and wrath must be satisfied.  So He arranged our salvation and sent His Son to accomplish it by dying a substitutionary death on the cross, bearing the guilt of our sin upon Himself and absorbing God's fierce and holy wrath.  He rose again proving that His death was victorious and now He commands all men to repent and believe this news.  However, men are still dead in their sin and are unable to come to Christ.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit comes and applies the work of Christ to our souls and gives us new hearts so that we can believe this Gospel when it is proclaimed.  And that Holy Spirit will continue applying that salvation so that we can persevere to the end.  

I pray this spurs us on to daily repentance and faith (especially those of you who have not received this message!).  May we be pleased to enter God's courts, through Christ, by the power of the Spirit, with thanksgiving and praise (Psa. 100:4)!

Are you a confessional Trinitarian, but a functional Unitarian?

I cannot think of a moment where I have heard a professing Christian deny the Trinity.  They might be ignorant or even fuzzy on some of the details, but usually they will assent to them once explained.  Plus, there is a fundamental difference between ignorance and denial.  Ignorance of the Trinity is immaturity; denial is damnable heresy. 

But while Christians would never dream of denying the Trinity, many I know, if not most, do not let it affect their day to day lives.  In fact, I speculate that these people wonder if God’s triunity is even necessary for their salvation or Christian life.  They are confessional Trinitarians (one God in three persons), but functional Unitarians (one God in one person). 

Therefore, I want to do a series of brief blog posts on how the Trinity affects our Christian lives.  Today, however, let us remind ourselves on what the Trinity actually is. 

God is one God in three distinct, co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The one Godhead consists of three persons who exist at the same time; all three are equally God, and thus they have always existed and will always exist.  Notice also that they are distinct.  This means that though the Father = God, the Son = God, and the Holy Spirit = God, at the same time the Father ≠ the Son or Holy Spirit, the Son ≠ the Father or Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit ≠ the Father or the Son.  Here is the best diagram of the Trinity I have yet to see.

If these distinctions seem unnecessary, just ask yourself, Who died on the cross?  The Father?  Of course not, the Son did.  If you think to yourself "does this really matter?", be very careful.  The first two commandments reveal that God is not only concerned that we worship Him only, but that we worship Him rightly, and we cannot do the latter if we confuse, or worse deny, His very nature!  Among those who are near Me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified (Lev. 10:3).  God is passionate about His glory and honor, especially among His people.

In this series of posts, I want to give brief thoughts regarding the Trinity and our salvation, prayers, worship, preaching, and more.  My prayer is that we would not only grow deeper in our knowledge of God, but also in our conformity to Christ by the power of His Spirit. 

Down with functional Unitarianism! 

Why ANOTHER blog and why the pretentious title?

Simply put, this blog is an attempt to express theological thoughts and insights in a brief and concise manner.  The purpose is twofold: for the sake of the reader and good practice for myself.

With regards to the reader: there are many many great blogs out there.  However, many contain lengthy posts.  I am not against reading lengthy theological insights; on the contrary, I am quite edified by them.  Typically, however, if I am going to read something like that, I want it to be from the pen of an old, dead, seasoned theologian like John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, or one of the Protestant Reformers, not a blogger (no offense brothers).  However, I do pray this spurs you on to read Owen and/or other men like him (this dude, or this dude, and of course this dude that everyone loves).

With regards to myself: my wife will be the first to tell you that I tend to be long-winded.  Therefore, this blog is a disciplined way to grow in expressing biblical thought in a concise and precise manner.  And since I cut my theological teeth on guys who are the opposite of concise, the name "Pithy Puritanism" seemed to fit ("pithy" is another word for brief or concise).

So I pray this be edifying for you and sanctifying for me.  Grace and Peace!