Current Issues in Soteriology

The International Society for Biblical Hermeneutics (ISBH) has produced a book called Current Issues in Soteriology. It is also available for free in different formats. Get it on PDF HERE.

The dispensational writers take a contra non Lordship Salvation position. I repeat here what I've said before; the controversy and the arguments on both sides are somewhat above my pay grade. Even so, I've spent enough time on this issue to have reservations about some of what has been said against LS (and its defenders) at times. I've previously touched upon the subject HERE.

To be fair I've only spent a couple of hours or so going through this particular Soteriology document, looking at specific issues. Perhaps in the future (if I get the time and find the inclination) I'll make some further comments below this post. 

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This conclusion at the end of one of the essays worried me,

This paper has sought to follow the literal, grammatical, historical method of interpretation of John’s Gospel with respect to the condition of belief in Jesus Christ for eternal life. When key salvation verses in the book are interpreted contextually, coupled with a correct understanding of Greek grammar, the conclusion is clear that the requirement for everlasting life is a single moment of faith in Jesus Christ rather than continual belief. 

This conclusion leads to two important spiritual applications. First, this conclusion leads to greater personal assurance of one’s salvation. Rather than assurance waiting until one has faithfully persevered to the end of life, assurance may be possessed immediately at the moment of initial faith. Second, our evangelistic message is affected in the sense that the condition of eternal salvation will simply be faith in Christ, rather than faithfulness to Christ. As a result, the focus of our message will be on the proper object of faith, Jesus Christ and His finished work, rather than a person’s subjective faithfulness and perseverance. (Emphasis mine)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 (see also 1 John 3:7-9, 2 Pet 1:10, Heb 3:12)

I could find nowhere in the document where these verses (and others) were addressed or discussed. Do all the contributors hold to this position? I hope not.