Rings of Theology: Foundational Theology to Salvation

We have been discussing Postmodern thought processes, truth, and whether or not there are non-essential truths when it comes to salvation. It seems best to speak of doctrine that is more central to salvation or more foundational to salvation rather than essential or non-essential. I have included the drawing above to help demonstrate what needs to take place in our mind. While all doctrine has ramifications and ties to salvation, certain doctrines are more core, central or foundational to salvation. Who God is, the Person and work of Christ, doctrines of the atonement and faith, and who man is are foundational and central. Therefore, even if I disagree with a brother on baptism or the Lord’s supper, modesty, or eschatology, but we agree on who God is, what Christ accomplished on the Cross, Sin, and faith, then we may have far more in common than other baptist or those within a given denomination. This is why I will often refer to men like John MacArthur (our views of the end times are different), RC Sproul, Sinclair Ferguson, Jerry Bridges (our views of church government and baptism are different), CJ Mahaney and John Piper (our views of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are different, not our view of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit though). These men all get the Apostles teaching on who God is, He is a sovereign creator; who man is, one created in the image of God, fallen in the first Adam, and dead and enslaved in sin unable to save himself or in any way merit God’s grace; what Christ accomplished on the Cross, that he died an atoning death for his people.

In theology it is essential that we keep what is central in the center of our theology. Many claim to hold to Christ and his death and resurrection. However, when He is distorted by adding to Christ then the entire gospel is distorted. Conversely, when He is distorted by minimizing or watering down the truth the entire gospel can be distorted. Paul speaks of men that elevate the doctrine of circumcision, or tried to add back in the doctrine of circumcision. When this happens our focus and hope can be easily shifted off of Christ. Those in Galatia wanted to add to Christ and his righteousness. ‘Sure, you are saved by Christ’ they would say, ‘but the real way of knowing you are a Christian is if you are circumcised. ‘ However, it is important to note that Paul does not write as if doctrines such as depravity (Ephesians 2), election and predestination, the sovereignty of God(Romans 9, Ephesians1), and a literal resurrection of Christ (2 Timothy 2:7-9) were non-central to believing in Christ.

The more we agree on who God is, and the person and work of Christ the more unity we will have in Christ. This does not mean the men and women have never been truly saved under incomplete or even wrong theology. This is the grace of God that he works in such a way. It also does not mean the men and women have not made false professions of faith under good theology. This is the depravity of men’s hearts and the deceptiveness of sin. However, Christ is most clearly displayed and glorified when He is proclaimed as He is revealed in the word.