SALVATION IN PERIL: AN INVITATION FOR A FRESH ALTAR CALL

The Conundrum of Eternal Security and the Paradox of Unconditional Election

De: Etim Uso

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Salvation is the fundamental premise of the Christian faith. That is why Paul the apostle has declared in 1st Corinthians 15:19 that if there is no hope of resurrection (meaning, Salvation), then “we [Christians] are of all men the most pitiable.” Without Salvation, it is all over with Christianity. Therefore, nothing else in Christianity compares to Salvation.

Two major Christian doctrines dominate the Salvation question. The first and most widely accepted is the doctrine of Eternal Security, which translates to the slogan, “Once Saved Always Saved,” and the other is the other is based on Calvinist theology, defined by the acronym, TULIP—a Five-concept theological Framework. The two most radical and controversial doctrines under this framework are the concepts of Unconditional Election and Limited Atonement. Essentially, the Calvinist doctrine of Unconditional Election claims that God has chosen certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world, based solely on His divine will and purpose, rather than any foreseen merit or action on the part of those individuals. The concept of Limited Atonement implies that the offering of the Blood of Jesus is only limited to the “elect”, whom God has appointed or chosen to be saved, not to all humanity.

Indeed, Salvation is an irrevocable gift from God, but ultimately, the question of whether one can lose his or her Salvation boils down to two important questions: “Are you sure you are truly saved?” and “Can you keep your gift of Salvation?” The Calvinist theology and doctrines on Salvation are based on one side of the biblical paradox. While the concept of limited atonement has no sound scriptural basis, I sympathize with John Calvin on the issue of Unconditional Election. Calvin made a mistake anybody without sound revelation, combined with meticulous data mining and analysis, could make even today.

But what practical impact do these doctrines have on our Salvation and the way we live? While Ephesians 2:8-9 defines the terms of Salvation, Romans 10:9-10 prescribes what one must do to be saved. Many people are familiar with the rituals of what one needs to do to be saved. However, the most crucial question many have not paid adequate attention to is, “What does it mean to be saved?” or “What does living a saved life entail?” The complementary question to this is “What price will Salvation exact from you?” These are the questions neither the doctrine of Eternal Security nor the doctrine of Unconditional Election can provide a satisfactory answer to.

The answer to these questions will transform us from what we must “do” to be saved to living under the divine ambiance of Salvation after we have been saved; it will transform our “doing” to “being.” “Being” is not passive; "being" turns us into sheep in the hands of a trusted, omnipotent, omniscient, and invincible Shepherd. “Being” requires faith, and not work!

Jesus has paid the price for our Salvation, and God has offered us Salvation as a gift of Grace, without works. However, because “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12), living under the divine ambiance of Salvation cannot be a stroll in the park. Things are bound to get violent and bloody. This is one important message the church has left out in its Salvation doctrines, which has made many so complacent about Salvation.

This book is a technical manual on Salvation as well as a personal road map for your Salvation journey. You will find details of all the relevant scriptural truths about the Christian faith and Salvation, presented without any doctrinal bias. You will be amazed by how much you have taken your Salvation for granted. This book awakens us to the urgent need for a fresh Altar Call, based on the Gospel of Salvation God entrusted to Paul. There is the Salvation Prayer Card at the end of the book for your personal use.