“ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED” THEOLOGY—LET’S TALK ABOUT THESE WORDS

                                                My father and I would discuss this and other Biblical and theological dilemmas often—and I am deeply grateful for that initiation into the Scripture.  But this concept of “eternal security” always plagued me as I felt something different in my spirit, heart, and gut through multiple teachers and pastors who provided skewed instruction from the pulpit.  So, I wanted to analyze the words from our Sacred Text to best analyze how complete we are in our salvation.  I found that in all of the translations and academic exegesis I did, there is one small word that I had to pray over and tackle spiritually, theologically, and personally.  This word appears only three times giving it more emphasis for me.

                                                I get into debates on this all of the time and find that people who cannot effectively communicate their theology end up thinking its an argument.  And those who lack accountability for their lack of Scriptural knowledge, think they are being attacked.  So, let’s do neither here.  Now, I will not argue either side of this as I normally do, but want to give you something to think about.  I ended up in the book of Jude, single chapter book that you can read over a cup of coffee in the morning.  Simple and precise.  Let’s look at the discussion.

                                                Some theologies teach “once saved always saved” thus leading me understand the “why” factor.  One person will quote John 10 of the good shepherd.  Counters will argue Hebrews 6 and the certainty of our salvation.  So hearing all arguments, I want to put the “once saved always saved” bumper sticker on the line since I can’t find those words anywhere in my studies and analysis.  I have no contention with those who believe it or reject it, I just want to do a scholarly analysis.

                                                The letter from Jude, the half-brother of Jesus and Jame was writing to people who were truly walking away from Christianity.  So, let’s begin the debate that goes back to the early 1600’s.  There were followers of the theologian Jacobus Arminius who issued five articles in 1610 (blogs of the time), and then the Senate of Dort (another story) answered these articles in 1619.  Arminius’ articles did NOT state that believers can fall away.  The Senate of Dort only said that these articles needed closer scrutiny on the Scripture. 

                                                In later years, the Arminian teachers went to settle the “once saved always saved” debate stating that, “Yes, a true believer can fall away from the faith.”  Dort replied with what is now theologically called “the perseverance of the saints” gave the theology that those who God TRULY saves, He keeps to the end and they keep on going.  The emphasis in their verbiage is “perseverance” on a life that continues and not just one of the past.

                                                In the “once saved always saved “ theology it did not matter whether or not someone sincerely meant it, breathed it, lived it, and walked away and denied it…it didn’t matter, they were saved.  But I would contend that Dort never said that in their writings thus leaving us three other seats in the room for debate. 

                                                In this theological debate the true Christians say that “true” faith will persevere.  Arminian Christians, mostly Methodists and even new age Pentecostals say that a genuine believer can actually “fall away.”  The popular slogan out of the Netherlands holds that “salvation holds what happens next.”  Catholics and Orthodox hold their own theology absent of the Scripture.  Theologically, it gets more fun for me.

                                                So, let’s stay with the Scripture as this is where all of the theologies wish to stand.  Let’s Scripturally analyze the “once saved always saved” theory first and these are undoubtedly the warmest promises Jesus ever made.  I go back to John 10:27-28, the “…my sheep hear my voice” portion.  Jesus continues with the line “neither will anyone snatch them out of my hand.”  In this text Jesus layers on layers of protection from God and Jesus in protection.  In the Greek the word for “never perish” is oumai a most emphatic denial the language offers.  This word carries the meaning of “not ever and by no means.”  The defenders of eternal security lean hard on this defense and this is a fair assessment as Jesus was emphatic.  Then Paul dog-piles with Romans 8:38-39 when he writes, “never…shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”

                                                Philippians 1:6 reinforces and tells us that the work Jesus constructed in our lives will complete it.  Then Ephesians 1 tells us that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit to guarantee our inheritance.  The Greek word used behind inheritance is arhabon and is a commercial word for a deposit or first instalment that binds the buyer to fulfill the entirety of the payment and “complete the purchase.”  Therein lies the case of “once saved always saved.”  And a darn good argument.

                                                The counter argument is just as good as John 10, Hebrews 6 and this argument takes us to Hebrews 6:4 “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit.”  But then the sentence runs on to verses 5-6: “…and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” 

                                                This is where the theological dilemma begins.  On the words “fall away” the Greek uses the word parapontus a separate word for “falling away.”  Greek words can carry a participle sense and the word “if” comes into play.  This makes the debate more intriguing as there are three different readings and interpretations.

                                                First, there are real believers that can be lost.  Second, those who came close, tasted, but never truly believed.  And third, it serves as a hypothetical warning written so believers in Jesus never go that route—somewhat as a warning.  Three interpretations that define modern Christianity.  The eternal security teachers will point to the word “tasted” as if to say “sampled.”  The Armenian’s would say that Hebrews 2:9 uses the same verbiage for Jesus tasting death and Jesus did not just sample death—He endured it.  I concede both the observations are accurate. 

                                                Now Colossians 1:23 sets conditions on Christ that presents believers as blameless if we continue in the faith, steadfast and true to Jesus—unmoved by the word of the Gospel.  There are explicit warnings in Scripture such as Hebrews 10:29: “How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?”  Then in Galatians 5:4 “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” 

                                                Throughout the New Testament there is a call to endure that emphasize remaining connected to Christ, bearing fruit, and enduring “to the end.”  This gives this argument volume as the concern of the danger of antinomianism can foster a “license to sin” and spiritual apathy in their relationship with God.  In this theological theory many view faith not just as a single transaction, but most importantly as a living, ongoing commitment and trust that a person can willfully abandon like a divorce.

                                                Here is my theological take on the discussion.  Can people come to Jesus through a traumatic and emotional response to trauma and never follow up once the storm passes?  Yes.  Can people actually have a sincere and logical relationship with Jesus and completely reject Him?  Yes.  Does Jesus ever disconnect with us?  No. This is why this is so personal and we have to maintain and sustain our relationship with God.  What do we have to lose in our Christian walk?  Eternity matters.

                                                If the rapture happens tonight…where do you go?  Look at Lot’s wife.  She was saved from the destruction, but looked back.  You can’t have one hand reaching for Jesus and the other hand reaching back to the world.  Secondly, a lamp without oil brings no light when the bridegroom arrives…like dad always said, I can’t pray you into Heaven, its on you son.  Lastly, there are NO second chances like we often get in this world.  God’s justice is final.

                                                Read Jude and tell me your answer.