Salvation

by Lewis Sperry Chafer

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Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity

84 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2017

About the author

Lewis Sperry Chafer was an evangelist and educator, founder and first president of Dallas Theological Seminary (originally Evangelical Theological College), and an influential proponent of Christian Dispensationalism and vehement opponent of covenant theology.

Reviews

[Olamide OPEYEMI · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the author's emphasis on the grace of God as the means by which salvation is made possible for us by our LORD Jesus Christ and to be experienced. The author, being a versatile theologian, leaves no room for doubt in the efficacy of Christ's substitutionary work on the cross, and in the instant remittance of all its accomplishments in the sinner who heeds the call to believe and be saved.

However, I must say with all due respect that the author finds it difficult to place a clear demarcation between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. He seems to make God responsible for man, as long as he is now in Christ; and that regardless of what the chosen course of his thoughts and actions may be, he cannot be lost. The arguments are quite plausible. But I must underscore the fact that all his assertions about the responsibility of the LORD to keep us, who are in Him, are truths that I rejoice about regularly and often stand in awe of.

Yet, for Christians who are sincere, they will realize that the estate of the believer in Christ is an objective fact, and indeed, no man can make it untrue. But there is a second part to it and that is the subjective aspect. Which is that aspect that deals with what we have actually experienced. If all the scriptures used in this book and even better still, checking the entire testimony of the Word of God, we will see that both parts must always be taken together or else we may find ourselves abusing either the sovereignty of God or the responsibility of man.

Finally, I must state again that I believe everything the bible says. Hence, I believe that "...he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him..." (Hebrews 7:25). There cannot be a problem on God's side. However, it is we who must ensure that we continue in Him. "For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." (Hebrews 3:14 - emphasis mine). May we all experience all that Christ has obtained for us objectively. AMEN.

[Jonathan Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical syllogism is a doctrine that gives many Christians headache. How does the church make sense of professing believers who do not appear to give evidence of a changed life? Are they genuine believers or are they phony false believers? It is here where Dr Lewis Sperry Chafer scores high marks where he writes:
Quote
The First Epistle of John is full of references to the outward evidence of the inward fact of the newly imparted divine life. This little book, standing near the end of the Bible, may be taken, in one sense, as an examination of the believer.......(however) Such a precious experience as is described by these passages may become clouded by sin or lost in the depression of some physical weakness, and were we depending upon the experience as primary evidence that we are saved, all grounds of assurance would be swept away.
Unquote
What we see in Dr Lewis Sperry Chafer's writings is a sense of theological balance, something that is very rare in our era and I hope that Dallas Theological Seminary would follow in his theological footsteps.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a need for the Holy Spirit to move in the person, but I need to figure out how to discern its movements. I will persist in prayer to gain clarity.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have to be a classic on salvation by grace and grace alone. It was readable, but best in small increments. Chafer discusses the condition for salvation, riches we have in Christ, assurance, rewards, and eternal security. Great information on the difference between salvation and rewards, a point of confusion for many believers.

"Salvation is a work of God for man, rather than a work of man for God."

[Faith Kilgore · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't have the exact read start and finish dates on many books I have read this year. The dates are approximated, as I have been in & out of the hospital, and on bed rest, and read 2-5 books a day depending on the book & length and my ability to focus. All dates are approximated, by month.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

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