Zane Hodges

Perhaps this is it.

 

James 2: What Is a Dead Faith? – Zane Hodges Library

 

Neither of those points supported by scriptures though

 

I would like to express my opinion, and such is to be taken as that.

Saving faith does not come from nor is it generated by humans. “Faith COMES by hearing, and hearing by the Word…”

For those “in Christ” Romans states “nothing can…”

So, how to view the falling away?

Perhaps a picture is seen when Paul rebukes the church saying, “This is why some of you sleep…”

There is a time when rewards are sacrificed, and that one, though a child, is removed from the enjoyments of the second heaven and remain for eternity on the second earth. Not in torment, but having no rank or privileges. Perhaps the last list of those allowed and not allowed into that second Heaven (Rev 22:14-15) pertain to this opinion.

Again, these are mere ramblings and no specific value or persuasions should be attached.

just stirring the pot.

 

We are either saved by grace through faith and this is a gift of God or we are saved by grace through faith and some good works thus earning salvation.

 

I see this as describing something called, "Once Saved, Always Saved",
which I was taught as a very young believer from the age of 12.

I once did, although I confess that the more I've studied the Scriptures over the years, the less and less I agreed with it until I dismissed it altogether.

I now hold to what some call "the perseverance of the saints", in that all who are Christ's will not only persevere in their faith because they are kept by the power of God ( 1 Peter 1:5 ), but that they do so because they are God's children, new creatures in Christ and which have the Spirit in them.
They will continue in the faith, they will walk in good works, and they will indeed continue to confess Him despite even terrible trials and tribulations in this life.

This differs from what I understand as "Lordship Salvation" in that a person does not "make Jesus the Lord of their lives" in order to become saved or to stay saved, but that they come to consider Him as Lord over their personal lives,
and will obey Him and His commands over the course of their lives, after all is said and done, because they are saved and they are born again.

In other words,
Perseverance is evidential, and not conditional.
If it never happens in the life of a professing believer, then they were never His to begin with.

If the above summary is accurate when it comes to Mr. Hodges thinking,
then what I see him missing is the Lord's examples ( and explanations to His disciples ) of the parables of the sower and the tares ( Matthew 13 is one passage )...

That many will "believe", but only some will bear true spiritual fruit;
That these "believers" will indeed be among those who are God's people and that they will grow together until the end....

and still hear the terrible words, "I never knew you".

 

Is it not a matter of interest that in general those who have nothing nice to say about John MacArthur because he is a futurists applaud his dislike of Hodges over the issue of Lordship Salvation?

Question: Is it even possible for an individual who suffers from amil/post mil reformed covenant theology syndrome to ever experience theological whiplash?

 

Can you please expand on #1. I think I know what you mean but am unsure

what is whiplash here?

thanks

 

Zane Hodges was a professor at DTS and wrote much that many here would agree with. On the issue of free grace, the enemies of this belief forget all that they agree with him on and focus on that.

I remember as a relative new comer to theology the overall prevailing attitude over Hodges was that he was a bad man. I remember that while attending classes at Philadelphia College of Bible being told that it was a good investment to purchase The Bible Knowledge Commentary and since I had it and on inspection was surprised that Hodges was one of the contributors because I hardly knew anyone that held a high opinion of him.

Theological whiplash, a term I made up although I don't suppose I really invented it, is the result of finding out that someone you think is awesome and highly respected and the final word of issues of doctrine and then you find out they hold a well reasoned belief that goes against the prevailing reformed position and suddenly that individual falls out of your favor.

 

On the other hand, should there not be an equal amount of outrage over the idea that someone can have works in excess, receive the praise of reformed Presbyterians great and petite, and yet not have truly trusted the resurrected Christ? Is it not equally dangerous to put an emphasis on works? Did not the Scribes and Pharisees, who sat in Moses' seat, have works and thus received the praise of the reformed Presbyterians?

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

 

Think Boice view on salvation was much more biblical!

 

Think that he meant well, but went too extreme on hnis free will grace, just as some in the Lordship side have gone too extreme in their views also!

 

Were we saved by grace through Christ's faithfulness and this gift is not of ourselves but from God?