Basis

"The Trinity is the basis of the gospel, and the gospel is a declaration of the Trinity in action." ~ J. I. Packer

Martin Luther said that justification is the doctrine by which Christianity stands or falls. With much respect to the one of the most important men in Church history, I think he has not moved deep enough. Justification by faith alone was Luther's great contention with Rome and I am afraid that because of that he placed it at the center of all things. Now, I am not trying to in any way diminish the importance of this great doctrine but I do think putting at the basis of all Christianity is unwise. I agree with Packer's statement, the Trinity is the basis of the gospel and justification by faith alone is part of the gospel. Without the covenant of redemption taking place in the Trinity before time began, without the Father ordaining the plan of redemption, without the Son achieving redemption, and without the Spirit applying the benefits of redemption to the elect, there is no gospel, no justification. In the doctrine of the Trinity is understood in Christ's divinity, the self-sufficiency of God, the glory of God, union with Christ, and the redemption of man. R. B. Kuyper held, "The doctrine of the Trinity is basic to the Christian religion. It is no exaggeration to assert that the whole of Christianity stands or falls with it." I agree.

By His Grace,
Taylor