Session 1 - Chris Pixley

First off, I want to say that I appreciate the wonderful conference that Grace Bible Church is putting on. First class all the way. Second, I am tired as all get out and as I said yesterday, I am no Tim Challies, although I have an even greater respect for him now.

I will be posting these one session at a time, perhaps one day at a time, so seven or eight sessions, seven or eight days, perhaps.

Oh BTW, I got mistaken for Phil Johnson today, LOL! Of course when I told Phil this he countered by saying I looked like a chef in my avatar picture....Darlene was nicer than I can put words to...Everyone was helpful, friendly, and ready to worship our Triune God. Overall, the first day was inspiring, informative, and well, fun! These outlines are not enough to capture it all, but I hope they help a little...

Here is the essence of Chris' message:

1) Why a Biblical Theology Conference? A desire to have a biblically based theology, rekindle interest, remind us of the practicality of doctrine. Chris gave quotes by Al Mohler and David Wells to back up the idea that we are losing our biblical fidelity and theological rigor, with disastrous results. He used 1 Timothy 4:1+ / Titus 1:9, Titus 2 to drive the point home: Nothing has a more practical benefit than learning to apply doctrine to life.

2) Why do a conference on the Trinity? Nothing more foundational - The Trinity gives Christianity its uniqueness. Herman Bavnick - it is the throbbing heart of our study; all error is rooted in a wrong understanding of the doctrine of the Trinity. VanTil - everything depends on this sort of God, a Triune God.

5 reasons to study the Doctrine of the Trinity

1) It helps us to understand the nature of knowledge itself

To "know" in the Bible is more than grasping bare facts, but it is not less

Faith, obedience, and submission is knowledge in its fullest sense

Trinity involved in self-revelation

Father - Hebrews 1

Son - Hebrews 1:3 / John 1:18

Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2 / 2 Peter 1:21

A robust understanding of the Trinity helps us to harmonize the truth mankind has suppressed (Romans 1:18+)

2) It is essential to frame up a proper understanding of the world in which we live

Worldview - through the doctrine of the Trinity we begin to make sense of the world

Creation - Genesis 1 / 1 Corinthians 8 / Colossians 1

History - Joshua 24:12 all the way to Philippians 2

Relationships - ontological - same essence / economical - submission in role

John shows Jesus always doing the Father's will, the Spirit always pointing to Jesus

3) Gives us a more fully orbed appreciation of our salvation

Here we see, and ought to see, the doctrine of the Trinity most clearly

Ephesians 1:1-5 - Father's role
Ephesians 1:7+ - Son's role
Ephesians 1:13 - Spirit's role

Titus 3:5-6

Not only in justification but also sanctification

Father - Ephesians 2:10
Son - Colossians 2:6
Spirit - John 17:17 - Chris says we see the Spirit here implicitly because Christ just spent the last three chapters talking of Him, and of Him as the Spirit of Truth, and now He asks the Father to sanctify them through said Truth, being the Spirit Himself. Excellent point, Chris!

Not only sanctification, but preservation

Father - Jude 24

Son - Colossians 1:22

Spirit - Ephesians 1:13-14

4) Apologetics and Evangelism are built upon the doctrine of Trinity

Defending and propagating the faith

Uniqueness of Trinity

Early church councils, errors

JW, Mormon, Modalist, Muslim

True, false religion identified

Isaiah 53 - Father crushes Son

Romans 3:26

5) The heart and soul of Biblical worship

John 4: Samaritans ignored rest of OT, used only Pentateuch (1st five books)
Jews - more info but cold orthodoxy

We need right info right affections to worship correctly.

Chris did not want to steal the other men's thunder, but provide an outline of where we are going in this conference, and I believe it was well done. Thank you Chris...

These outlines I give are admittedly going to be too rough for most, but the good news is that the CD's of each session are going to be available, more info on that later...

God bless you all...