Of all the past and present theological debates within Orthodox Christianity, few have managed to claim the perpetual debate as has the discussion surrounding the eternal security of the believer. For many generations, faithful Christians have stood on opposite sides of this issue, decrying the view of those standing opposite them. Broadly, some view the Bible as teaching that a man who has experienced a genuine conversion can, by his own will, turn from the faith and forfeit his salvation. The opposing view counters that this same man cannot, under any circumstances, forfeit his salvation after having experienced a genuine conversion. Admittedly, this is a gross generalization of the variety of views, but it suffices to demonstrate the historical conflict around the issue of eternal security. In his book The Race Set Before Us , Dr. Tom Schreiner seeks to address this theological debate, particularly the way in which we deal with warning passages, by looking only to Scripture, apart from any personal presuppositions.
Schreiner does an excellent job of explaining the four major viewpoints commonly held today – loss-of-salvation view, loss-of-rewards view, tests-of-genuineness view, and hypothetical loss-of salvation view – and provides an accurate representation of supporting evidence for each view. He then succinctly reveals the major flaws within each view, and provides the biblical basis for his own view; namely, God’s means-of-salvation view. To support his view, Schreiner uses chapter 2 to stress the importance of understanding salvation in the framework of already-but-not-yet, and chapter 3 is utilized to examine the nature of saving faith as seen throughout Scripture. Schreiner does an excellent job of using Scri...
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...ponents of the hypothetical loss-of-salvation view, but the practical implications seem to be much the same. I assume this is something that Schreiner will deal with at length in the remaining chapters of the book.
I have found this book to be immensely helpful in establishing a biblical framework in place of a “Calvinistic” or “Arminian” grid for understanding eternal security and the warning passages. The way in which Schreiner explains a holistic understanding of salvation is one of the most helpful explanations I have read on the topic. I am left with questions of how exactly he will deal with the warning passages, but I have a general understanding that because Scripture teaches a past, present, and future salvation that he will argue that the warning passages seek to “call for faith that endures to receive the prize” (40), and is God’s means-of-salvation.
“Theology is the esoteric thought of the Church.” (WR 15) What is meant by this is that theology is a part of the Church that is very mysterious and confusing to most laymen. Rauschenbusch has introduced many new ideas into the theological point of view. Rauschenbusch tries to explain that the social gospel is here to help people pull more from theology than just jargon that they don’t understand. One of Rauschenbuch’s main points throughout his book A Theology for the Social Gospel is that man uses the thought of Adam being responsible for original sin and therefore everyone is born into sin. Jonathan Kozol, the author of Amazing Grace, went to the impoverished city of Mott Haven to observe the motivation of the citizens amidst a town where sin is around every street corner. He examined the meaning of life and the little opportunity the citizens of Mott Haven had to escape their unfortunate circumstances. Through Walter Rauschenbusch’s A Theology for the Social Gospel one can find the answers to the questions of sin and the heavy presence of sin. The excuse of using Adam as a reason to rid men of their responsibilities is one of the biggest mistakes theologians make, but Rauschenbusch has tried to set things straight by pointing out that those sinful behaviors are learned through your lifestyle and surroundings.
Guretzki, David. “What Does It Mean For Evangelicals To Say They Are ‘Save’.” One In Christ 46.1(2012): 79-88. Academic Search Complete. Web. 30 April 2014.
Spirit), the nature of man and the need for salvation, and sin and the means of atonement.
The next item up for discussion is salvation and how it can be achieved. Mr. Williams believes that Christ died for all sinners. He believes salvation is achieved by believing in and following Christ. He writes in his letter to the town of Providence, “All are equal in Christ.” (Williams) We are all God’s children and stand equal in the eyes of Christ. On the other hand...
This paper is written to discuss the many different ideas that have been discussed over the first half of Theology 104. This class went over many topics which gave me a much better understanding of Christianity, Jesus, and the Bible. I will be addressing two topics of which I feel are very important to Christianity. First, I will be focusing on the question did Jesus claim to be God? This is one of the biggest challenges of the Bibles that come up quite often. Secondly, I will focus on character development.
Thus, giving Timothy Montbriant secure grounds for exploring his faith and attitude in his article entitled “An overview of “The Minister’s Black Veil”. Montbriant believes that Hooper is “struggling with doubts about his own salvation” (Montbriant n.p.) once he realizes the meaning of what he preaches. According to predestination, or Calvinist Theology, “confessing one’s sins does not affect one’s predestined course”(n.p.). To Montbriant, Hooper’s veil represents his isolation, but does not actually cause it. On the contrary, the veil causes Hooper to experience his isolation in agony while he still remains with his congregation. Even though all his efforts to save their souls from damnation will be in vain, Hooper diligently carries
On the issue of predestination Wesley held that “God has decreed that those who believe will be saved; those who do not believe will not be saved” (p. 174, Abraham). Wesley went ever farther in the “God makes the decree, but the decree does not exclude genuine human agency and freedom; indeed, it builds the exercise of such freedom into the very content of the decree” (p. 174, Abraham). He held that if one would come to God that they should have no doubts about their salvation. God has a drive for our salvation but it is an active choice that we must make, even those God knows what the decision will be from the very beginning.
"EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 & 2." EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.
In Western Christianity, the “theology” of Dispensationalism is achieving unheard of popularity. However with examination one can see the many cultural and biblical problems this theology has. Ultimately this theology isn’t just unbiblical, it is dangerous.
The book of Hebrews is a unique portion of the Bible because it is written as though it were a letter, directed at people the writer may have known. However, the book targets a seemingly broad audience of those without faith and also those that could be described as believers that have experienced persecution. A salient message within Hebrews is that people must persevere when they feel persecuted because Jesus Christ is their salvation, regardless of anything else that is happening in the people’s lives. An emphasis on the greatness of Jesus and his role as a mediator between God and those on Earth is dominant throughout the chapters and verses.
... is playing favorites in whom he wants to grant salvation to while they are alive on Earth, there is no incentive for anyone to care. If God is so merciful, then these Calvinistic Puritan doctrines should not exist and everyone should be granted spiritual salvation and grace while they are alive on earth at all times. Edward Taylor’s arguments and symbolic imagery of the beauty of God and how gracious he is are highly questionable and shoddy – similar to God and Puritan theology.
The fall of mankind with Adam and Eve caused an imbalance in the relations between God and mankind. To achieve salvation, this inequity had ...
In the days of Christ’s life on this earth, believers did not have access to the Bible in its entirety as we know and are familiar with today. Believers in this ancient time period only had access to the Old Testament. However, through their access to the Old Testament, believers were provided a foundation for New Testament times. This foundation provided New Testament believers with the Lord’s established principles of right and wrong they were expected to follow. In addition, the Old Testament is overflowing with accounts of people whose lives exemplified the future life of Christ on this earth. These pictures allowed the Israelite nation to begin to have an understanding of why Christ needed to come as their Messiah and the work He needed to do on earth. Finally, there are common themes that are interwoven throughout the entire Old Testament. Three of these themes: transgression, redemption, and consummation point to the purpose of Christ’s atoning death on the cross. These themes portray God’s work both in the lives of Old Testament believers, but they also foreshadow God’s desire and plan for believers in New Testament times and beyond.
The doctrine of salvation contains various aspects. The intent of this research paper is to provide a general overview of salvation from the angle of justification, propitiation, grace, redemption, and sanctification.
Lutzer, Erwin. The Doctrines That Divide: a Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.