The Theology Pit is a ministry designed to educate Christians about the Christian faith. We have a strong focus on Justification by the faith of Christ alone. Our statement of faith consists of two specific essentials. Essential for Salvation and Essentials for the health of the Church.
Essential for Salvation
Salvation is defined as Justification (being made righteous), Sanctification (being set apart), and Glorification (resurrection as a perfected body/soul unity). Justification is an eternal declaration by God. Because of the eternally and creative calling (creation language) of God (Genesis 1; John 1:1-3; Galatians 1:15-16; Romans 4:5), justification is an ontological, present, and progressive reality. The “already” and “not yet” of revelation.
In order to be considered righteous, perfect faith is required. This perfect faith must be an eternally perfect faith consisting of perfect knowledge, perfect assent, and perfect trust. Perfect unity is also required wherein all humanity must possess the perfection of this reality.
The one who has perfect faith has no need to be justified. Therefore, this kind of perfect faith is only for the benefit of another’s justification. Jesus Christ possesses this perfecting faith on behalf of humanity. Christ’s faith and his faithfulness is the instrumental cause for the justification of believers. Salvation is by the righteousness of God through the faith and faithfulness of Jesus Christ by which God declares the ungodly perfect and sinless which is manifested as evident in one believing in the God who makes the dead alive and summons the things that do not yet exist as though they already do. (Galatians 2:15-21; Romans 3:22-4:25)
Faith is the mode of human reason adapted to divine revelation. The faith one has in the Gospel (the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ) is the evidence that God’s promise is true and one has been justified.
Essentials for the health of the Church
God
We believe in God who is simple (not made up of parts) as one ontologically and exists eternally as three consciousnesses (persons or personhood) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We neither divide the nature nor compound the personhood of God.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Significance is to be given to his incarnation, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension for the redemption of the universe.
Bible
The Scriptures are the infallible Word of God. The meaning and voice of God is understood as inspired.
Church
The Church is the Body of Christ.
Humanity
Humanity consists of the conditional unity of body and spirit known as Traducianism.
Sin
Sin is the distortion of humankind materially and immaterially. The effects of sin can be seen mentally (noetic) and physically (fracturing body/soul unity). Because of Sin humanity will only look toward itself and never toward another (God). Left in this state humanity is dead.
Salvation
Salvation is in and through Christ alone. No works of faith, including volunteerism, allows for the salvation of one’s self. The action takes place outside of us and not from within us.
Faith
Faith is manifested through the realization that one has been justified and is perfected in Christ for the benefit of others. As a believer, you have the Faith of Christ which you give for the justification of another through the Gospel.
Eschatology (Intermediate State & End Times)
Heaven exists for the righteous while awaiting the final resurrection. This includes a new heaven and new earth. Hell exists for the unregenerate while awaiting the final resurrection. This includes the apocalyptic imagery to describe the finality of lostness.
Sacraments (Ordinances)
The Sacraments are essential to the Church as they convey the Grace of God found in the incarnation, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ through tangible means.