Perspectives on Eternal Security: Biblical, Historical, and Philosophical Perspectives

by Kirk R. MacGregor; Kevaughn Mattis

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2009

Overview

Eternal security, or personal assurance of final salvation, constitutes the single most important matter of practical theology in the Christian tradition. For the past twenty centuries, no other doctrine has exerted such a direct impact on the lives of lay Christians, driving their daily actions, guiding their permanent choices, and shaping their psychology. From the New Testament period onward, a diversity of views on biblical interpretation, anthropology, and divine sovereignty have produced numerous models of eternal security. However, due to the early modern fracturing of Protestant thought along Reformed and Arminian lines, today most evangelicals equate eternal security with Calvin’s perseverance of the saints.

In an ecumenical vein, this collection of essays aims to remedy the knowledge gap by bringing a breadth of biblical, historical, and philosophical perspectives to bear on the question of eternal security. These essays comprise the first print anthology from the online theological journal Testamentum Imperium, an international forum founded and edited by Kevaughn Mattis featuring scores of first-rate articles from Christian thinkers worldwide on the topic of eternal security. This book therefore analyzes Calvin’s model of perseverance alongside views on eternal security ranging historically from Clement of Rome to contemporary developments in philosophical theology and process theology. Furthermore, this book explores and strengthens the biblical roots of eternal security through an illuminating host of thematic studies on whole books and exegetical studies on particular passages. Hence this volume will profit all who are interested in the scriptural foundations and historical outworkings of eternal security.

Key Features

• Examines several unexplored avenues in setting forth the doctrine of security
• Composed of exegesis of biblical texts as well as historical and philosophical analysis
• Establishes the connection between eternal security and the doctrines of grace and salvation

Contents

Part One: Biblical and Exegetical Studies

• The Psalms: Eternal Security and Perseverance
• “What My Father Has Given Me”: Believers as God’s Gift in the Gospel of John
• The Security of the Believer as the Son’s Fulfillment of the Father’s Will: (John 6:38–40)
• The Prayer of Jesus in John 17 and the Security of the Believer
• Eternal Security and the Saving Love of God: An Exposition of Romans 8:31–39
• Making Your Calling and Election Sure: An Analysis of 2 Peter 1:8–11
• The Adoption Metaphor and the Security of the Believer

Part Two: Historical and Philosophical Studies

• First Clement and Jewish Hellenism: Historiography and “Grace” in Light of Surviving Second Temple Motifs and First Century Christianit
• Predestination and Salvific Assurance in Early Modern Thought and Life
• An Anthropological Look at Eternal Life: The Internal Changes Accompanying Salvation
• Salvation from the Wrath to Come in the Present Epoch
• The Eternal Security of the Believer in Christ from the Perspective of Philosophical Theology
• Eternal Security from the Perspective of Process Theology

Contributors

• Jon Balserak
• Donna Bowman
• James W. Bryant
• Shawn L. Buice
• Harold R. Holmyard III
• Francis Lyall
• Kirk R. MacGregor
• J. Ramsey Michaels
• Georg Plasger
• Verlyn D. Verbrugge
• Stephen Voorwinde
• Brandon G. Withrow

Product Details

• Title: Perspectives on Eternal Security: Biblical, Historical, and Philosophical Perspectives
• Authors: Kirk R. MacGregor, Kevaughn Mattis
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 203
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Assurance (Theology); Salvation
• ISBNs: 9781556358708, 1556358709
• Resource ID: LLS:PRSPCTVSPRSPCTV
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-03-07T17:43:30Z

About the Author

Kirk R. MacGregor is Assistant Professor of Religion at James Madison University. His is the author A Molinist-Anabaptist Systematic Theology (2007) and A Central European Synthesis of Radical and Magisterial Reform (2006).

Kevaughn Mattis is Founder and Managing Director of Testamentum Imperium Online Journal. He earned his LLB (Hons) from the University of London in 2008 and is a prospective LPC student of BPP Law School, Manchester, UK (2009-2010).