Soteriology – Grace Evangelical Society

Rejecting the Language of Monergism and Synergism

January 29, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - monergism, Soteriology, synergism

As Free Grace people, most of us want to be strict Biblicists. We are not tied to, or at least try not to be tied to, the language of prior theologians or theological traditions. We want to be Biblical through and through. And that often means rejecting commonly used terms. I was reminded of this

Saved, Yet Through Fire, Part 1 (1 Cor 3:15)

December 10, 2019 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - 1 Corinthians 3:15, salvation at the Judgment Seat of Christ, Soteriology

A friend sent me this excellent question: I am teaching on 1 Cor 3:10-17 Sunday. What is weird is I have not seen anyone handle the part of 3:15 that says, “but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Everyone comments on “suffer loss.” My problem is that everyone, no matter how

Where Did the Term “Free Grace” Come From?

October 3, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Bonhoeffer, Cheap Grace, Free Grace, Soteriology

We believe in Free Grace Theology—which is distinct from Calvinism, Arminianism, Lutheranism, Thomism, and other –isms. But where did the term “Free Grace” come from? Some people think it’s redundant. I wish it were. Historically, the expression “free grace” was used by both Calvinists and Arminians. For example, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached

J. Dwight Pentecost on Salvation

June 26, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - journal, Salvation, Soteriology

I’m writing a journal article on what Dallas Theological Seminary professors taught about salvation to the general public, from 1965-1995. I’m looking at books by DTS professors, aimed at a general reading audience. I want to know whether they leaned Free Grace or Lordship. (Be sure to subscribe to the journal to get these longer

The Grandeur of Salvation

April 12, 2019 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - believer’s systematic theology, Soteriology

Have you ever visited the Grand Canyon? Weren’t you in awe of it? John Wesley Powell said, “The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features. Language and illustration

Amazed at What Is Now Normal Soteriological Terms in Evangelicalism

October 17, 2018 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Acts 16:14, Calvinism, Repentance, Repentant Faith, Soteriology, temporary spiritual life

Today I read a few articles in the July-September 2018 issue of Bibliotheca Sacra, the journal of Dallas Theological Seminary. It is celebrating its 175th anniversary (since DTS took over an already existing journal). Bibliotheca Sacra is one of the leading theological journals today. And it has been for a very long time. In this

Scot McKnight Explains What Faith Really Is

May 18, 2018 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Faith, Justification by faith alone, Soteriology

Justification by faith alone taken at face value means justification by faith alone. However, more and more today Evangelicals are saying that justification by faith alone means justification by submission and obedience. One of the leading Christian bloggers is New Testament scholar Dr. Scot McKnight. His blog is called Jesus Creed. McKnight published a commentary

Commentaries Recognize Philippians 2:12 Is Not about Individual Salvation

May 16, 2018 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Phil 2:12, Salvation in Philippians, Sanctification, Soteriology

While working up my recommendations for various books of the Bible, I looked up how two commentators, Ralph Martin and Gordon Fee, handle Phil 2:12. While both men believe that perseverance is required to attain “final salvation,” neither sees Phil 2:12 as dealing with that. Fee says, Obedience in this case takes the form of

What Was Zane Hodges Saying about Salvation in 1 Timothy 4:16?

May 14, 2018 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - 1 Tim 4:16, false teachers, Sanctification, Soteriology

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim 4:16). We ran an article in the May-June Grace in Focus magazine where Zane Hodges discussed 1 Tim 4:6-16. At the end of the article was a short

Gym fees

November 29, 2016 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Faithalone, Free, Soteriology, Works

by Shawn Lazar Free or Not? One day, a young mother was looking to join a gym. She heard about a wealthy benefactor who founded several gyms and endowed them with enough money so they could be free and open to all. However, when she visited the gyms and asked about joining she found they