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Archive for the ‘Soteriology’ Category

Growing up, I always viewed Arminianism as some sort of “faith plus works” model of salvation.   That idea was further established by those friends of mine who came from supposed Arminian circles that very much did believe that their salvation was in part dependent on the salvific work of Christ on the cross and in part due to their constant striving in good works.  Though I knew not what label to affix to their theology at the time, I grew to be certain in later years, that they practiced what is known as Arminian theology.  In all reality, however, what my friends were guilty of embracing was more of a folk-theology digression from true, Classical Arminianism.

In his book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities, Roger E. Olson makes a strong defense of Classical Arminian theology against many of the commonly-held, yet thoroughly unwarranted caricatures of Arminian Theology.  He does this in ten chapters, each tackling a separate Myth projected onto Arminianism by those outside (and, unfortunately by some supposedly inside) the Arminian camp.  The 10 myths are as follows:

1. Arminian Theology is the Opposite of Calvinist/Reformed Theology
2. A Hybrid of Calvinism and Arminianism is Possible
3. Arminianism is not an Orthodox Evangelical Option
4. The Heart of Arminianism is Belief in Free Will
5. Arminian Theology Denies the Sovereignty of God
6. Arminianism is a Human-Centered Theology
7. Arminianism is Not a Theology of Grace
8. Arminians Do Not Believe in Predestination
9. Arminian Theology Denies Justification by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
10. All Arminians Believe in the Governmental Theory of the Atonement

I believe this book would be beneficial for both Calvinist and Arminian alike.  It has always been my conviction (though sadly not always my practice) that to be fair we ought to get our description of a particular theological persuasion from the best, most able proponents of that persuasion. All too often, we are satsified in obtaining our description of a theological camp we differ with from the detractors of that view, rather than “the horse’s mouth.”  Let us all be gracious enough to read the perspective of those we think we disagree with before deriding them as sub-Christian or heretical.  Those are strong terms that ought not be used flippantly.

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If you are interested in purchasing this book, it is available at the following links:

Which one comes first???

I was asked at work the other day about the relationship good works play to the salvation of one’s soul. Because this type of question is so common, I figured it was worth a quick post.

Often we are guilty of putting the cart before the horse, so to speak, in relating one thing to another. Well known is the chicken and the egg concept: which one came first? While this type of trivia is fun to think about, but inconsequential in the end, salvation is no joking matter.

The book of James in the New Testament challenges us: You show me your faith without your works and I’ll show you my faith by my works. So then, are works instrumental in one’s achieving salvation? Do enough good works grant us entrance into heaven?

I would argue (from Scripture) that thinking along those lines is to put the cart before the horse. Ephesians chapter two tells us we are saved by grace, through faith, and that it is not about the works we do. The passage goes on to imply that if it were, there would be room for boasting, and it would no longer be a salvation by grace, but by works. A salvation that is by faith plus works diminishes the finished work of Christ on the cross and gives us at least partial credit.

On the other side, however, James tells us that faith without works is dead. So what does that mean? Can we have a faith that is still saving yet labeled “dead?” Perhaps an analogy would help paint the picture more clearly…

Imagine you win the lottery and never need to work another day in your life. You hated your job before and everyone knew it….but you didn’t quit working. In fact, you didn’t change a single thing about your life from before you won the lottery. How many people do you think would believe you when you tell them you won all that money, yet decided to keep driving the same beat up car, living in the same beat up house and working the same dead-end job. People would (rightfully) question the truth of your claim to have won the lottery. You may very well be a millionaire, but there is no evidence in your life to back the claim.

In that same way, good works is evidence one has salvation. It wasn’t the works that achieved the salvation, but rather they were the automatic outpouring of an authentic conversion. Do I believe someone can be saved and not produce much evidence? Yes, I do, but I would caution that person against feeling secure in a faith that has done nothing to manifest itself in good works. There is far too much at stake to roll the dice on this one.

It’s time to put the horse in front of the cart. We can do nothing to earn our salvation, but once we have it, it should be obvious to the rest of the world…it’s the only evidence we have of a saving faith in Christ.