Four Views on Eternal Security (Counterpoints)

by Michael Horton; Norman Geisler; Stephen M. Ashby; J. Steven Harper

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2002

Overview

Does the Bible support the concept of "once saved, always saved," or can a person lose his or her salvation? How do the Scriptures portray the complex interplay between grace and free will? These and related questions are explored from different angles in this thought-provoking Counterpoints volume.

The contributors each state their case for one of four prominent views on eternal security: classical Calvinist, moderate Calvinist, reformed Arminian, and Wesleyan Arminian. In keeping with the forum approach of the Counterpoints series, each view is first presented by its proponent, then critiqued and defended. This fair and respectful approach allows you to weigh for yourself the strengths and weaknesses of the different doctrinal stances. By furnishing you with scholarly and thoughtful perspectives on the topic of eternal security, this book helps you sift through opposing views to arrive at your own informed conclusions.

Contents

• A Classical Calvinist View, Michael S. Horton
• A Moderate Calvinist View, Norman L. Geisler
• A Reformed Arminian View, Stephen M. Ashby
• A Wesleyan Arminian View, J. Steven Harper

Top Highlights

“Covenant theology can integrate both sets of proof texts precisely because it recognizes a third category besides ‘saved’ and ‘unsaved’: the person who belongs to the covenant community and experiences thereby the work of the Spirit through the means of grace, and yet is not regenerate.” (Page 37)

“Perseverance touches so many other doctrinal themes—free will, grace, predestination, atonement, justification, sanctification, spirituality.” (Page 7)

“Neither the dispensationalist nor the nondispensationalist Arminian has any category for this person who enjoys the benefits of the covenant but falls away from its reality.” (Page 39)

“The moderate Calvinist, by contrast, believes election is unconditional from the standpoint of the Giver but conditional from the vantage point of the receiver. It is an unconditional gift; there are no strings attached. Nonetheless, this unconditional gift must be received. This act of receiving is no more meritorious than it is to give credit to a beggar for taking a handout. The credit should be given to the Giver of the gift rather than to the one who receives it. The same is true of the unconditional gift of salvation (Acts 16:31; Rom. 6:23).” (Page 65)

“First, we disagree with the strong Calvinist contention that the use of the word ‘world’ in crucial texts on salvation means the world of the elect.” (Page 45)

Product Details

• Title: Four Views on Eternal Security
• Authors: Michael Horton, Norman Geisler, Stephen M. Ashby, J. Steven Harper
• Series: Zondervan Counterpoints Series
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2002
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Assurance (Theology); Perseverance (Theology); Salvation › Christianity
• ISBNs: 9780310493464, 9780310234395, 9780310872368, 0310493463, 0310234395, 0310872367
• Resource ID: LLS:4VETERSECUR
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T20:27:55Z

About J. Matthew Pinson

J. Matthew Pinson is president of Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee.