One day I’ll have to write an article about John W. Robbins’ understanding of faith and saving faith.
Robbins was a disciple of Gordon H. Clark. He ran the Trinity Foundation, which publishes Clark’s books, including Faith and Saving Faith. That book has been influential in Free Grace circles because it clearly shows why works cannot be imported into our definition of faith, as so many Lordship proponents do. Robbins continued Clark’s defense of propositional faith. (And if I may offer a plug, in Beyond Doubt, I do the same and argue that assurance is propositional, too.)
Here is a great quote from Robbins unmasking the false distinction between head faith and heart faith:
“This writer, when a teenager, was told that some people would miss heaven by twelve inches—the distance between the head and the heart—because they believed the Gospel with their heads but not with their hearts…No one will miss heaven by twelve inches, for there is no distance between the head and the heart: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The head/heart contrast is a figment of modern secular psychology, not a doctrine of divine revelation. St. Sigmund, not St. John, controls the pulpit in too many churches” (John W. Robbins, “What Is Faith?” in Against the World: The Trinity Review, 1978-1988, p. 121).
Brady
Great material. We would love to read more of Robbins’!
Keith Manning
So many have been burdened by this type of theology. Yes, I’ve been effected by it. This is a great Article and represents how the Free Grace movement should approach the Lordship view of head faith- heart faith! Biblically not Psychologically
John Kulp
I believe John 2:23-3:10 shows the difference between so-called “head” and “heart” faith, for want of better terms. Miracles tend to bring out an emotional or intellectual response, but the Lord Jesus clearly told Nicodemus that wasn’t enough – a man needs to be born again before he can appreciate the kingdom of God, and by extension, any of God’s redemptive ways. Just in case anyone misunderstands, the position I take does not bear any resemblance to “Lordship salvation”, which you rightly speak against. However, it is my perception that you err in projecting Lordship salvation on everyone who doesn’t accept your version of an unqualified faith. I have written a brief critique of the “free grace” teaching on faith at this link: https://greaterriches.com/2016/05/31/mustard-seed-faith/
P Esteven
The problem with reading into John 2:23 the idea of false faith, temporary faith, or head faith vs heart faith is simply this: it is not these people’s claim to have had faith; this is Holy Writ, the God inspired assessment that these people, indeed, believed in His name. It is God Who said they believed, and that means . . . they believed. To “believe in His name” is the equivalent of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and thus they had life in His name. We often view the Bible through traditional, man-made lenses. But if we let the Word speak on Its own, we will find that those traditional lenses blur our spiritual vision.
Yes, these people in John 2 believed in Him and thus had everlasting life. These people didn’t just “vote” for Jesus; they believed in Him. Were they mature believers, such that the Lord could commit Himself to them? Of course not. The whole point of His miracles was to prove His credentials as Messiah. The fact that these people believed in Him validated the purpose of His miracles.
P Esteven
The problem with reading into John 2:23 the idea of false faith, temporary faith, or head faith vs heart faith is simply this: it is not these people’s claim to have had faith; this is Holy Writ, the God inspired assessment that these people, indeed, believed in His name. It is God Who said they believed, and that means . . . they believed. To “believe in His name” is the equivalent of believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and thus they had life in His name. We often view the Bible through traditional, man-made lenses. But if we let the Word speak on Its own, we will find that those traditional lenses blur our spiritual vision.
Yes, these people in John 2 believed in Him and thus had everlasting life. These people didn’t just “vote” for Jesus; they believed in Him. Were they mature believers, such that the Lord could commit Himself to them? Of course not. The whole point of His miracles was to prove His credentials as Messiah. The fact that these people believed in Him validated the purpose of His miracles.