How to Interpret 1 John: Fresh Insights & Observations to Consider. By Dennis M. Rokser. Duluth, MN: Grace Gospel Press, 2015. 96 pp. Paper, $9.95.
This is not a commentary on 1 John. Instead, it discusses certain themes and issues which will help the exegete rightly understand the book. However, it does address certain verses.
One of the first topics covered is whether John wrote this book for believers or unbelievers. Rokser rightly, and forcefully, demonstrates that the recipients were Christians. In the process, he shows that in 1 John 2:2, John teaches unlimited atonement (pp. 4-12). Additionally, there is a difference between being a believer and being in fellowship with the Lord, a topic which is the source of much confusion about the spiritual condition of the original readers (p. 13).
Rokser also rejects the view that 1 John is a book which calls for the reader to test whether he is saved or not. Lordship Salvation finds eleven such tests in the epistle, such as being sensitive to sin, rejecting this evil world, and eagerly waiting for Christ’s return (pp. 25-27). But no one can consistently do any of the eleven tests. Such a view of 1 John will result in the loss of assurance of salvation. When discussing the church at Corinth, Rokser notes that the believers there would not have passed these tests (p. 45).
Missing in the tests of salvation proposed by the adherents of Lordship Salvation is the only one that exists. Rokser states it as believing that Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead in order to give you eternal life. First John 5:9-13 makes faith alone in Christ alone the only condition for knowing if you have eternal life (pp. 32-33). The author correctly points out that any theology that does not lead the believer to have absolute certainty that he has eternal life is not from God. Lordship Salvation does not give that certainty. In fact, it cannot. Some believers have lost the assurance of salvation because of their exposure to that false teaching (p. 37). This reviewer would only add that Rokser should have said “many” have been negatively impacted by it.
The tragedy of all of this is that there are many professed Christians who are not saved because they look to their works. They believe that good deeds will deliver them from the lake of fire. They have never received eternal life as a free gift through faith alone (p. 41).
Instead of 1 John containing tests to see whether the original readers were Christians or not, the epistle gives tests by which believers can determine if they are in fellowship with Christ (pp. 46-55). This is in line with the prologue of the book found in 1 John 1:1-4. The reader who does not understand the difference between believing and being in fellowship with God will not understand the epistle.
Rokser does deal with 1 John 3:9 at length. He rejects the idea that it means that a real Christian will not “habitually” sin. That cannot be quantified and would mean that Solomon was not a believer. Even David took many months to repent of his habitual sinning. Rokser takes the view that sin can never spring from the experience of abiding in Christ. In addition, no believer commits sin as the expression of the new nature he has as the result of the new birth (pp. 76-78).
A similar understanding of 1 John 3:15 is obtained in this manner. A believer in fellowship with Christ loves his fellow believers. A Christian who hates other Christians is out of fellowship with the Lord (p. 86). Rokser also correctly sees that 1 John 5:16 is not talking about spiritual death, but a physical one. He sees the death here as also including the idea that being out of fellowship with Christ is a temporary experience of death (p. 90).
There are many commentaries on 1 John which miss the point of the book completely and deny believers assurance of their salvation. Rokser has written this small book, laying down certain exegetical principles which will allow the reader to avoid such a serious error. It is a book from which the layman can benefit, even though it only discusses a few verses in detail. I recommend the book.
Kenneth W. Yates
Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society