Trinity Distinctives: Core Beliefs in Troubled Times
Tim Fearer
Feb. 24-26, 2013
Week #1: Jesus Christ Crucified as the Key to Everything Else
I. Intro / 3 Objectives / Core Beliefs in Colossians / Trinity’s Family Tree / Trinity’s Core Beliefs
“What we believe and understand about God – as revealed in the person & work of JC crucified –
that then determines what we believe and understand about everything else.”
II. Core Beliefs in Colossians 1:1-23
A. Background
B. Themes:
An Inheritance
God as Father
The Son / Jesus Christ crucified
Redemption
Forgiveness
Jesus’ “Father Movement” focuses back on the Son
One person (Jesus Christ)
Two natures (fully divine, fully human)
Karl Barth, “JC – the man who is for God, and the God who is for man.”
C. The Hymn to the Son / Colossians 1:15-20
Father / Son analogy
The ministry of the cross
D. Results for us 1:21-23
. . . 23.provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in “the faith,”
“the Faith” –
III. Trinity in the broad stream of Christian Belief & Tradition
A. Family Tree
B. Sources that have shaped us
Jesus Christ
Bible - bearing witness to Christ
Book of Confessions – statements of belief, distilling and organizing what Bible teaches
Part I of the Constitution of the PCUSA
Book of Order – church manual,
Part II of Constitution of the PCUSA
C. Placing the Book of Confessions along Trinity’s Family Tree
D. Trinity as “Evangelical” and “Reformed”
1. “evangelical” / euangelion / ευαγγελιον
a. “good news” / “good report” / “gospel”
b. salvation thru the atoning (sin-bearing) sacrifice of Christ on cross
2. Comparison of emphases
Evangelical
Roman Catholic
3. “Reformed”
a) roots in John Calvin’s branch of Protestant Reformation
b) some emphases along w/ evangelical themes
- soveriegn and gracious reign of God over all things
- glory to God alone
- unconditional election of believers
c) Ex. of Evangelical and Reformed / Heidelberg Catechism – Q. 1
IV. Core Beliefs of Trinity
1. #1 / All people are welcome.
#2 / All questions and conversations are welcome and encouraged.
#3 / But not all positions / opinions are affirmed
in the same way that not all behaviors and lifestyles are affirmed.
2. Core beliefs
a. Two problems: 1) PCUSA vague about core; 2) many pastors / elders do not believe
b. range of belief in PCUSA beyond stated in Book of Confessions / incompatible w/ Trinity
PCUSA stated Core Beliefs
--“recognition of canonical Scriptures”
-- God as a Trinity / 1 God in 3 persons
(Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
-- Jesus Christ / fully God & fully human
-- “God’s grace in JC as revealed in scriptures”
Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone
-- Sovereignty of God
Election of people for salvation / service;
Covenant (shared) life marked by order;
Stewardship – no ostentation or waste;
Work toward transformation of society.
Trinity’s Supplement
Primacy/Reliability of Bible in matters of faith & life
Virgin Birth
Miracles
Atoning Death
Bodily Resurrection
Humanity as Fallen
Salvation by grace thru faith in Christ’s death alone
Transforming Power and Presence of Holy Spirit
Presbyterian Creeds: A Guide to the Book of Confessions / Jack Rogers; The Book of Confessions;
The Early Church / Henry Chadwick; Basic Christianity / John Stott
Mere Christianity / C.S. Lewis; Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense / N.T. Wright
http://fellowshippres.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Theology10.pdf /