Spirit and Truth Ministries

THE "GOOD NEWS" IS BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT

September 25, 1997

Don Hawley

Let me begin by saying this is a work in progress. I first became interested in this view of salvation as a result of reading the following book:

In writing about this volume, Edward Fudge found it "disarmingly simple yet unfathomably profound. More than that, it seemed to provide a meeting place for good-hearted and knowledgeable Calvinists and Arminians to seek common understanding." These two camps have been in disagreement for more than 400 years.

Dr. F. F. Bruce the noted theologian commented, "Your position is very much my own. The seven complets in your book command my empathetic agreement." The fact that many reputable theologians are coming to agree with Punt's concept of salvation doesn't prove it true, but it does demonstrate that his viewpoint is worthy of consideration.

Although I've been studying this matter for nine years, I always hesitated to proclaim my personal viewpoint because I didn't have every block in place. However, in this present world we see through a glass darkly, and some of our questions will have to wait for a heavenly Bible class. For now I would like to propose, for careful and prayerful consideration, what I believe to be the truth on this subject. It is a very important topic that deserves our attention.

I don't expect all readers to agree with my insights, but I believe those kind-hearted Christians who do not will say, "Brother Don, after thinking this concept through, I didn't arrive at the same conclusions you did. However, you've made your decision based on Scripture as you see it, and I can understand how you might come to such conclusions. Anyway, thank you for sharing and challenging me to rethink my own position."

I realize that my view of salvation will be contrary to that held by the vast majority of Christians--few of whom have ever taken time seriously to consider the matter. In any case, truth cannot be determined by majority vote. Only twice in human history has the majority of God's professed people actually been in the right; for a time after exiting the Garden of Eden, and for a brief period after leaving Noah's ark. Each of us has not only the right, but also the responsibility, of perusing the Word of God in search of Truth. And no aspect of truth is more important than that of salvation.

PROBLEMS WITH PRESENT THINKING

We each have wrestled with problems that common ideas about salvation do not adequately address. For instance, one Sunday morning two families leave home to have their infants baptized during the church service. Unfortunately, one family is involved in an auto accident, and their baby is killed. Popular belief says there is no hope of their ever being reunited with their beloved, unbaptized, child. I have trouble with such thinking.

Another popular scenario pictures two newborns side by side in a nursery. What happens after they leave the hospital doesn't much matter as far as salvation is concerned. God already has determined that one baby will be saved, and the other lost. Problem?

Still another theory; whether or not a child below the age of accountability is saved depends on whether one or both of the parents is a true Christian.

What about slaves? Some tell us that since they were deprived of personal freedom, they can't be in the kingdom. They merely will "be as though they had never been." Fair?

Jesus spent his entire earthly ministry in a postage-stamp-sized country called Palestine. What about the many people then living then in China, Siberia, South Africa, North, Central, and South America? Did Christ have no compassion for them? (The Mormon church saw the problem, so worked up an extra-biblical history of Christ coming to the United States after leaving Palestine.)

Usually it is assumed that "heathen" in remote corners of the globe, who bow down to idols, are lost unless a missionary arrives with Bible studies. (Of course some denominations would say it has to be one of their missionaries to make any real difference.) If we are unfaithful in our mission giving, such heathen will just have to burn. WE DETERMINE WHETHER THEY ARE SAVED OR LOST BY OUR GIVING PATTERN! If no missionary gets there in time because I haven't been faithful in paying my tithes and offerings, will that native be lost because of MY sin rather than his own?

Frankly, I'm getting weary of some of the mumbo jumbo being passed along as Christian truth, especially when it makes God look bad. My Bible teaches that an infinitely loving God, while a God of justice, sent his only begotten Son so that a great harvest of people could live with him throughout eternity. If the above mentioned viewpoints are correct, heaven is going to be something of a vacuum. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE HUMAN RACE WILL BE LOST BY DEFAULT, WITHOUT EVEN HAVING A CHANCE FOR SALVATION! I don't think so.

I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" Rev. 7:9, 10.

Popular belief has the devil, although doomed to the lake of fire, coming perilously close to winning the great controversy between good and evil. Personally, I think God is going to win big!

POPULAR CONCEPTS OF SALVATION

The Christian church is thoroughly divided on the matter of salvation, and of course Satan would have it so. Some of the more popular concepts are:

1. UNIVERSALISM God is a kindly old grandfather who will take everyone to heaven regardless.

2. PERFECTIONISM We can work out our own salvation, but before Christ appears we must have developed perfect characters.

3. CALVINISM God loves SOME sinners and has actually ACCOMPLISHED their salvation, but has passed over others so that they CANNOT possibly be saved no matter what they might think or do.

4. ARMINIANISM God loves ALL sinners and has provided the POSSIBILITY for their salvation PROVIDED they respond with an appropriate decision for Christ.

I find all of these theories of salvation wanting, and would like to suggest that a careful study of Scripture shows another viewpoint I will call the UNCONDITIONAL GOOD NEWS. It may be expressed this way:

The Good News of the Gospel is that as a result of Christ's death ALL men are saved, EXCEPT those who, in addition to their sin in Adam, willfully, personally, and finally REJECT whatever revelation God has given them of himself.

Sometimes it's difficult honestly to entertain new teachings with an open mind due to past beliefs, but we must do if we would grow in spiritual understanding. The Holy Spirit is capable of leading us into all truth, telling us what to accept and what to reject.

Let's examine this matter in the light of the Word.

THE BIBLE ON SALVATION

God has a greater love for his creation than many seem to think. John refers to Christ as "the true light which shines upon EVERY MAN as he comes into the world. John1:9. Every person born of woman has some degree of light shining from the throne of God; none are in total darkness. What matters is how we respond to that light.

The key texts are found in the book of Romans. Let's see what Paul actually said about the heathen.

Instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.
So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. Rom. 1:23.

That certainly is clear enough, but let's notice what Paul had to say BEFORE that pronouncement.

It is through faith that a righteous person has life.

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who PUSH THE TRUTH AWAY from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them INSTINCTIVELY. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can CLEARLY see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have NO EXCUSE whatsoever for not knowing God.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds BECAME dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.
AND THEN instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes. Vs. 17-23.

False worship resulted from "PUSHING AWAY THE TRUTH" that God had planted intheir hearts. Paul further confirms this fact:

Instead of believing what THEY KNEW was the truth about God, they deliberately CHOSE TO BELIEVE LIES. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever.

That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Vs. 25, 26.

God does NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.

God will punish the Gentiles when they sin, even though they NEVER HAD GOD'S WRITTEN LAW. And he will punish the Jews when they sin, for they do have the laws. For it is NOT MERELY KNOWING THE LAW that brings God's approval. Those who obey the law will be declared right in God's sight.

Even when Gentiles, who DO NOT HAVE GOD'S WRITTEN LAW, INSTINCTIVELY follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts THEY KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG. They demonstrate that God's law is WRITTEN WITHIN THEM, for their OWN CONSCIENCES either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. Rom. 2:11-15.

WE ARE BORN SINNERS

Many, especially legalists, do not understand the depth and pervasiveness of sin. We're not sinners because we sin, but rather we sin because we are sinners. We are born with a sinful nature. If you don't believe that, put three babies in diapers in a room with only two toys. In short order, someone is going to be banging someone else on the head. Yes, we are born sinners, but we are BORN SINNERS SAVED BY GRACE.

We love pat formulas, like the Four Spiritual Laws. However, with such a creative God as we have, formulas can be limiting and confusing. Perhaps the favorite formula for Christians is, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior." The idea is that unless one mouths this statement, he can in no case enter the Kingdom of Glory. As I've pointed out previously, this concept immediately consigns to hell the great majority of the human race. If one has never heard the name "Jesus Christ," he can hardly be expected to pronounce it. There is nothing wrong with the statement itself, unless one considers it a magic charm and uses it to judge the experience of others. God's wonderful plan of salvation never should be reduced to a Christianized lucky rabbit's foot.

I believe there are those who have emotionally proclaimed the magic formula, but who are not walking with the Lord, and those who wouldn't know enough to mouth it who are.

The truth is that when Jesus gave his life on Calvary, he didn't merely provide for the POSSIBILITY of salvation, he actually SAVED us! And unless we willfully, knowingly, and finally reject that salvation, we are going to be in the Kingdom. We can opt out, but it isn't as easy as the devil would have us believe. God the Father paid an infinite price for our redemption, and we are his unless we reject our great salvation.

SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST ALONE

Please understand that I agree with Dr. Luke about the source of salvation. Speaking of Christ he says:

There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. Acts 4:12.

There's no misunderstanding that declaration. No one else can ever save me; not Buddha, not Mohammed, not Brahma. No one, but Jesus only.

However, there are those saved by our Lord who are not fully aware, who wouldn't know to call themselves Christians. Is it possible that someone who has never known anything but a Buddhist community, and who might if asked say he was a Buddhist, actually be a Christian? I think so.

In fact, a clear understanding of this subject should strip Christians of the arrogance they often show toward others. We should treat anyone we meet as a brother. Regardless of external appearances, even if he makes no claim to be a Christian, he may actually be closer to the throne than I! Such an attitude will make it much easier for us to share the story and mission of our Lord.

For those who would like to think more deeply on this matter, I would urge you to read the following book:

A Wideness in God's Mercy by Clark Pinnock, Zondervan Publishing House, copyright 1992.

It is "one of the very few books to present a strong proposal on the issue of religious pluralism while maintaining a rock-solid evangelical stance."

Please note Pinnock's comments on pages 157 and 158.

"In my judgment, the faith principle is the basis of universal accessibility. According to the Bible people are saved by faith, not by the content of their theology. Since God has not left anyone without witness, people are judged on the basis of the light they have received, and how they have responded to that light. Faith in God is what saves, not possessing certain minimum information. Hebrews is clear: 'And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him' (Heb. 11:6).

"People cannot respond to light that did not reach them. They can only respond to revelation that did. Scripture and reason both imply that no one can be held responsible for truth of which they were inculpably ignorant; they are judged on the basis of the truth they know. A person is saved by faith, even if the content of belief is deficient (and whose is not?). The Bible does not teach that one must confess the name of Jesus to be saved. Job did not know it. David did not know it. Babies dying in infancy do not know it. It is not so much a question whether the unevangelized know Jesus as whether Jesus knows them. (Mat. 7:23) One does not have to be conscious of the work of Christ done on one's behalf in order to benefit from that work. The issue God cares about is the direction of the heart, not the content of theology."

QUESTIONS

Have you noted how this present understanding of salvation automatically solves our original questions concerning an infant killed on his way to the baptistery , a man held in slavery, a "heathen" who dies a week before the missionary arrives, or the limited geographical scope of our Lord's ministry?

However, it could raise other questions, such as the matter of being "born again."

Jesus replied, "I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." John 3:3.

Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water AND THE SPIRIT. Humans can reproduce only human life, but THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES NEW LIFE from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you must be born again." Vs. 5-7.

For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living word of God . . . And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23, 25.

(Note that earlier in the same chapter Peter talks about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.)

In the few texts above we have quoted the three times the term "born again"is used in the Bible. In the light of the importance often attached to it, we would expect it to appear many more times. Not only is the term "born again" seldom mentioned, it is never clearly defined. In spite of the paucity of information, many have built up rigid and specific definitions with serious ramifications. If we do not get to people with our definition, or if they do not embrace our concept, they will be eternally lost.

May I suggest a possible way of interpreting these texts? Note that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is closely tied to the term "born again." It is he who gives"new life."

Too many Christians, particularly those into salvation by works, fail to comprehend a "journey beyond salvation." To the legalist, nothing following salvation can even remotely compare with the importance of their supposed justification. But God says there is much more, justification should initiate our lifelong growth in Christ, our sanctification. In fact, the person who does not show the fruitage of salvation has never truly been saved. Were the disciples saved while ministering with Christ? Of course. But even so their ministry was generally ineffective, and sometimes boring. The Savior did many mighty works, but they only tagged along uncomprehendingly.

Then came Pentecost! As Jesus had promised, the Holy Spirit came upon them bringing POWER for service. Now signs and wonders followed them, and they turned the whole world upside down. A sanctified excitement came into their lives, something they had never experienced before. I think those disciples could point to Pentecost as an experience so profound that it was like being "born again." Previously they had been born of water, but now they were born of the Spirit as well! New life!

Jesus has a similar message for us.

The time is coming and is already here when TRUE WORSHIPERS will worship the Father in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For GOD IS SPIRIT, so those who worship him MUST worship in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. John 4:23, 24.

It is time to heal the divorce in the Body of Christ between "truth" (the written Word, Logos, doctrines) and the "spirit" (the spoken Word, Rhema, experiential presence of the Holy Spirit). Before our Lord returns, there will be a remarriage, and if we expect to play a role in final events, we must be a part of the new unity of "spirit and truth." If you are not already aware of, and participating in, the great Renewal currently sweeping the earth, may I urge you to investigate prayerfully.

I cannot take time in this study to go into detail, but I would like to comment briefly on the admonition "No one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water AND THE SPIRIT." Most professed Christians have been born of water, but large numbers have never been born of the Spirit. This is a serious matter, as we are living in the special dispensation of the Holy Spirit and it is he who directs the final battle. I strongly believe that prior to our Lord's return each living Christian will have a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, and to turn away from the third person of the Godhead at that time will be to reject one's salvation. We are a unique generation in the history of the human race, and such a winnowing is necessary to divide all people into the two groups brought to light in Matt. 25:31-46. The division is not arbitrary; we ourselves will make the final choice.

After a lifetime of trying to work my way to heaven, I finally found the assurance of knowing I am saved in Christ Jesus. Praise him! However, I date my present joy and rewarding ministry to the time when I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus made possible by his ascension. Have you been "born again" in that fashion?

WHY BOTHER TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS?

Some challenge, "Well if we were born saved, why bother to tell people about the Good News?" I hope that by this time I've helped answer that question. There is such a vital and exciting journey BEYOND SALVATION, that we dare not deprive any of making that journey. The miracle of justification is primary, but our continuing growth in the Lord, sanctification, is also most important.

It is true that some will never know Christ by name until they are introduced to him in the Kingdom of Glory, as the one who made it possible for them to be there. But what a privilege is ours if we can initiate introductions now, so they can begin praising the Savior before he returns. As they tell others about their newfound light, the anthem of praise to God grows louder and louder.

We can introduce them to the wonderful family of God, and thus provide them with rich new friendships in Christ.
We can help them learn about the spiritual gifts God has granted them, and encourage them to share those gifts.
They can be taught that all things belong to God, and they have both responsibilities and privileges as stewards.

The list could go on and on. Are there ample reasons to reach out to those who were"born saved," but know little about it? So many reasons. Only utter selfishness could keep us from seeking them out to share.

A SIMPLE ILLUSTRATION

All illustrations have their limitations, but perhaps the following will provide some help in showing the course a loving God would most likely pursue.

Two men have been swimming offshore in a raging sea. Both are now exhausted, drowning, and their only hope for survival must come from some outside source. There are no people on shore to assist them, but a compassionate God surveys the situation. His love reaches out to them.
1. UNIVERSALISM One man is conscious, the other unconscious. God throws a life ring over each man and pulls them ashore.
2. ARMINIANISM Both men are conscious. God throws a life ring within the grasp of each man. IF they reach out and grasp the ring, God will pull them ashore.
3. PERFECTIONISM Both men are conscious. God throws a life ring within the grasp of each man. If they reach out and grasp the ring, God will pull them ashore--providing they help paddle with all their strength, and have developed perfect characters.
4. CALVANISM Both men are unconscious. God throws a life ring around one man and pulls him to safety. He leaves the other to drown.
5. UNCONDITIONAL GOOD NEWS Both men are conscious. God throws a life ring around each man and begins to pull him ashore. Unless these men deliberately discard the rings, they will be saved.

YOU WERE BORN SAVED! You didn't have to DO anything to be lost in the first Adam; why should you have to DO something to be saved in the second Adam, Jesus Christ? Your behavior is important, but only as FRUIT of salvation. Once we understand what the Savior experienced on Calvary, it creates a deep desire in our hearts to be obedient to him in all things. Obedience becomes a joy, rather than a miserable garnering of brownie points in the hopes of buying God off.

Don't be trapped into the heretical teaching of "once saved, always saved." We CAN cast off our salvation, but it is not easy to do so. It's not a matter of stumbling and falling out of the circle of his grace. There will be stumblings, but we can cast off our precious salvation only by a knowing, final, and deliberate act of the will. A great multitude will refuse to reject their salvation, and the praising throng around the throne will be too vast to count. Heaven will not be a vacuum. Our God is going to win big time! Hallelujah!
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