Bible Studies

The Dangers of the 'Eternal Security' Doctrine

by Mark A. Becker
12/04/08
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The Dangers of the ‘Eternal Security’ Doctrine
By: Mark A. Becker


There is a radical interpretation of the Eternal Security doctrine that has been making its rounds in the Church since its inception and seems to be gaining steam in these last days. The concern lies in the tenet itself.

First, let us address one of the most common debates in Christianity:

Once Saved, Always Saved?

To Believers, this statement is a Scriptural fact. When people accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and give their life to Him, they are secure in their salvation.

But what happens to an individual who professes Christ as Savior, then later in life rejects his or her Salvation and lives a life opposed to Christian morals, values, and teachings?

Is that person still “saved”?

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test." - 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

I say that person was never saved to begin with. I see nowhere in Scripture that implies a professing "believer" can reject Jesus and still obtain salvation. So, “once saved, always saved,” does not apply to him or her because his or her "faith" was cosmetically manufactured and useless.

An excellent example of this is the once "Christian" Theologian and now self-proclaimed atheist, John W. Loftus, founder of the website, Debunking Christianity. [1]

What is interesting about Mr. Loftus is found in his own words from his profile page: [2]

I have the equivalent of a Ph.D. in the Philosophy or Religion/Apologetics (three master's degrees and Ph.D. studies). I majored under William Lane Craig and earned a Th.M. degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1985. I am the author of Why I Became an Atheist, and the founder of the Debunking Christianity Blog.

At one time he ministered for, and believed in, the Word of God. Today he is an avowed atheist attempting to "debunk Christianity."

So, it begs the question, "Is this man going to heaven?"

Answer: Only if between now and his deathbed he truly has a conversion consistent with Biblical teaching.

"That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.’" - Romans 10:9-11 (NIV)

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus." - Acts 3:19-20 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." - John 3:16-18

Again, I say John W. Loftus was never saved to begin with.

All Christians sin. All Christians stumble. But no true Christian will ever reject his or her true conversion.

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." - Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV)

What The Radical Version of Eternal Security Says

The tenet paraphrased:

Once an individual gives his or her life to Jesus he is eternally saved. Even if that person rejects and falls away from his or her professed faith and lives an ungodly lifestyle of sin, that individual’s Eternal Security in Christ is not in jeopardy.

So, according to this teaching, John W. Loftus has a one-way ticket to Heaven.

Nonsense!

Blasphemy!

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary: [3]

"The New Testament broadens the concept of blasphemy to include actions against Christ and the church as the body of Christ. Jesus was regarded by the Jewish leaders as a blasphemer Himself (Mark 2:7). When tried by the Sanhedrin, Jesus not only claimed messianic dignity, but further claimed the supreme exalted status (Luke 22:69). Such a claim, according to the Sanhedrin, fit the charge of blasphemy and, therefore, deserved death (Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:64). However, according to the New Testament perspective, the real blasphemers were those who denied the messianic claims of Jesus and rejected His unity with the Father (Mark 15:29; Luke 22:65; Luke 23:39)."

It is the rejection of the free gift of salvation that is the unpardonable sin; denying the redemption found only in Christ and rejecting the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

"And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." - Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV)

What exactly is, “speaking against the Holy Spirit?”

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." - John 14:16-17 (NIV)

Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin and need for the Savior, is the rejecting of the One who lives and guides a truly converted believer.

Therefore, anyone who rejects his or her "perceived" salvation, never had the Holy Spirit to begin with. This rejection of Christ’s free-gift of salvation through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit is "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit" and the unpardonable sin.

The End Result of the Eternal Security Doctrine

If one believes the radical definition of Eternal Security, he or she has been handed a free license to sin. And sin, they will.

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!" - Romans 6:15 (NIV)

Grace is grace. It is God’s gift to us who believe in the atoning sacrifice of His Son. The Christian is to abhor everything evil and can have victory over sin through growth in - and the leading of - the Holy Spirit. But when they do sin, they confess that sin to God and have the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, to repent of that sin as they move forward with their life.

Conclusion

If this doctrine is being preached in your home Church, leave now! If your favorite Preacher on TV, radio, or the internet is proclaiming this doctrine - turn the channel, turn the dial, or disconnect. Not only is it un-Biblical, it is destructive to those who believe and live it.

JJB


Footnotes

[1] http://www.debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/
[2] http://www.blogger.com/profile/13565890121197051580
[3] http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T971