View
all articles
Getting at the Bigger Questions, Part 3.2: What Is Salvation?
Have you ever really thought about what, exactly, salvation entails? In Part 2 of his e-mail exchange between himself and a friend, Doc Leland continues discussing this most central of theological concepts.
Be sure to read the first half of Doc Leland's conversation with his colleague "David" in the first part of "What Is Salvation?"
The Conversation Continues
David:
"There is absolutely nothing, nothing, nothing (do I make my point?) in the Scriptures to guarantee 'eternal security' for non-disciples."
Doc Leland:
Here's a surprise — I disagree with this statement. But I have to start with a definition. If by "non-disciple," you mean someone who has not accepted Christ as their personal Savior (and been redeemed and regenerated) then I would agree. Such a definition equates to "non-believer" to me.
If, on the other hand, you're claiming there is no eternal security for someone who has been "saved" (i.e., accepted Christ's atonement for sin and personally made that choice/commitment) and is just not growing then that is false doctrine. We are offered God's gift of redemption via Christ's death. Though we must put our faith in His death, receiving this gift does not require that we work our way into heaven. Discipleship is not unlike the process of sanctification, but neither one of those is the same as salvation. They both come after it.
There is much, much, much (do I make my point here?) in Scripture that promises eternal security for those who make the choice to accept what Christ did for us on the cross as atonement for their own sins (Mark 16:20; Isaiah 51:6; Acts 13:47; Hebrews 5:19; not to mention the most famous verse on all this, if not the most well-known in the entire Bible — John 3:16). As a fallacious example, if I were to follow your definition of non-disciple here — then if I were "saved" (i.e., accepted Christ) today, and was struck dead the next moment, I would not go to heaven — I would have had no time to pursue discipleship. This point may sound like semantics, but it is essential.
All this comes down to what you mean by "non-disciple." Is it synonymous with "non-believer," or what?
David:
"I actually believe many 'non-disciples' will be in heaven, but that is a different discussion about the mercy and grace of God."
Doc Leland:
This is clearly a side-note, but it's an issue that concerns me as much as, if not more, than your argument above. My concern hinges on your definition of "non-disciple." Again, equating "non-disciple" and "non-believer" is false doctrine. Not a theologically debatable point, but false to God's Word. There is a distinct difference in Scripture between salvation (which is for the lost) and judgments about heavenly rewards for the saved.
David:
"When it comes to the ministry of the gospel which Jesus proclaimed, it must be understood, like I teach my students, as an invitation into transformational discipleship or it isn't the gospel of Jesus and the early church. So, the New Testament knows nothing of salvation disconnected from faith that involves, necessarily and essentially, discipleship in the way of Christ. Discipleship is not an option, not an effect of salvation; it is the way of salvation. This alone makes sense out of the passionate exhortations we find throughout the New Testament — to remain true to Christ."
Doc Leland:
I agree with the first sentence. However, the second sentence is a step (logically and rhetorically here) toward the third sentence. This is a classic non-sequitor — the conclusion does not follow the premise. I see a fallacy in sentence two. There are three sub-premises here:
- The New Testament knows nothing of salvation disconnected from faith
- There is no salvation without faith
- With the faith that it takes for salvation, one must follow with discipleship.
I don't know enough to argue #1, but #2 and #3 seem logical and supportable. However, they do not lead to the complete message of sentence three, namely, that discipleship is the "way of salvation." Is discipleship optional? No: I think we all agree that growth in the Christian life is essential. Is discipleship an effect of salvation? Yes, it is the process of regeneration and rebirth that commits our minds to wanting to follow Christ. Is discipleship the way of salvation? No. If it is, then Christ's atonement means little. He didn't have to die. If it is, He could have shown us how to live, we follow His example and we work our way toward heaven by living holier lives. If we fail to do that in any given day, have we lost heaven?
This third sentence is the essential difference of opinion between you and me. I can't do anything with the final sentence, since I have no idea how you define any of this.
Final Thoughts
We must be careful not to blur the lines between salvation and sanctification. I attribute the process of growth in a Christian's life not to salvation but to sanctification. Salvation comes when we are in a helpless state. It is what God does in us and for us. Sanctification (or whatever word you wish to use) is what God does through, in and with us. It is the life of growth. It does have stages, in which we become more and more like Jesus, ending with "glorification" — becoming like Him in heaven.
One of the biggest mistakes I see in all of this is that some people think sanctification begins to occur when the Holy Spirit comes into our lives. I believe that at salvation we receive all of the Holy Spirit that there is — nothing is withheld from us. But as we enter into the sanctification process, the Holy Spirit receives more and more of who we are.
Applying this principal to our current debate, I would have a hard time thinking that God deals out salvation one card at a time throughout our lives. This sort of theology borders on a "works" righteousness: do a little more to prove your love for God and He makes you a little more saved.
One of my theology professor friends once told me he had a hard time with the concept of people praying to be in the "center" of God's will. His point was that you are either in God's will or you are not. If salvation is to remain totally God-centered — an unmerited gift, atonement, every other concept of being justified through the death on the cross — then it must not involve me, other than my receiving the gift.
The most influential book he recommended from his seminary days was Gustaf Aulen's Christus Victor which addresses the various views of the atonement. Aulen comes down on the classic/Latin view which, in my shallow opinion, is the view that survives from the earliest days of church history. This view claims the atonement, above all, is a movement of God to man, not a movement of man toward God.
C O F F E E S H O PYes, in the life of a believer a "divine drama" (a process) does take place. But it's a conflict between Christ and the hostile forces of evil, one that Christ obviously wins. His divine self-sacrifice is a complete and absolute victory, not a particular battle in some war. What happens after salvation is from a totally new perspective. We are no longer separated from God. Grace and mercy have placed us in the family of God. What takes place in our life of growth (i.e., sanctification) is the result of salvation — which is an event to end all events!
Dr. Chris Leland is the Director of College & University Outreach for the Focus on the Family Institute and author of the Truth Lab. A Senior Fellow for Christian Worldview Studies, "Doc" Leland speaks around the country for Focus, debates people much smarter than himself, and enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and four sons.
Back to top
