SALVATION

Salvation

A cerebral and Biblically based friend of mine picked up on a comment of mine in an email. He cited several Biblical passages about works being insufficient for salvation. He concluded with this: So, the biblical Christian believes that salvation is by faith (in Jesus' atoning work) and NOT by self merit or good works, because the Christian realizes by faith that he can NOT be 'good enough' or do enough good works to 'earn' what can never be earned. He also mentioned grace, Calvin’s answer, but the emphasis firmly endorsed Luther’s conviction that faith alone was the way to salvation. My friends and I talk about such subjects, so he asked for my opinion. Below is my response.

Works, Faith or Grace seems to be the three possibilities theologians say we have to obtain salvation. I have studied and thought about this basic subject a lot since undergraduate school. I believe my conclusion is that neither theologians nor anyone else know the answers.

Profane or not, I do not dwell on the subject. To this point I suppose I simply have to think that I will try to avoid transgressing man-made law and hope I don't break enough of God's to go to Hell. My contemplation of this subject has not resulted in an epiphany of solid assurance. I care, so my failure to arrive at a definitive conclusion is not from a lack of interest or even effort. I have often thought it would be nice to have the conviction of the right path people I know of different faiths hold. If it comes, I wonder if I will keep it to myself or tell others. Many face to face conversations and publications have told me and it ain't done no good.

I do not want to engage in a prolonged discussion with Dr. Leonard Sweet and his ilk, who have educated and complicated responses on all theological questions.

As I look at the words above I see "I" all over the place. I try to avoid such a personal construction but it seems impossible on this subject. I will close by saying that on this subject I know a lot, but understand nothing.