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Run to Win the Prize
The Christian life is like a marathon race set out before us. There is a reward in running well, but particularly in finishing. Christians agree that this is a consistent pattern of New Testament teaching.
However, is the prize a reward for having finished well? Or is the prize salvation itself - and can it be lost? Is everyone who started the race guaranteed a share in the prize? Do the warnings in Scripture tell believers that it is up to them to succeed or fail in the race? If so, is there no assurance of salvation? Or can we affirm that 'once saved, always saved', and that only a difference in rewards awaits us?
Thomas R. Schreiner's study, based on his lectures at the Twelfth Oak Hill Annual School of Theology, explores the nature of admonitions and warnings in New Testament theology, their role in relation to perseverance and assurance in practical Christian living, and their pastoral implications. He offers clarification of some controversial issues, and responds to misunderstandings
However, is the prize a reward for having finished well? Or is the prize salvation itself - and can it be lost? Is everyone who started the race guaranteed a share in the prize? Do the warnings in Scripture tell believers that it is up to them to succeed or fail in the race? If so, is there no assurance of salvation? Or can we affirm that 'once saved, always saved', and that only a difference in rewards awaits us?
Thomas R. Schreiner's study, based on his lectures at the Twelfth Oak Hill Annual School of Theology, explores the nature of admonitions and warnings in New Testament theology, their role in relation to perseverance and assurance in practical Christian living, and their pastoral implications. He offers clarification of some controversial issues, and responds to misunderstandings
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Thomas R. Schreiner
113 books208 followersThomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including New Testament Theology; Magnifying God in Christ; Apostle of God's Glory in Christ; and Romans in the Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 1, 2025
This is my second reading of this great little book by New Testament scholar Tom Schreiner. It was written eight years after the more massive tome on his view of the warning passages in the New Testament, especially those in the book of Hebrews.
While that first book, The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance, is nearly three times longer and written with Ardell Caneday, this much more accessible, briefer book clarifies and further defends Schreiner’s view of the warning passages.
Schreiner explains:
I want to examine in this book what I explored with Ardel Caneday in a more thorough way in a book titled The Race Set Before Us. Why is another book necessary if a previous book has already been published? First, the length and comprehensiveness of the previous book have been off-putting to some, and as a result the thesis of the book has not been accessible to all. My hope is that the current book will bring some of the central themes of the previous work to a wider audience. Where this book seems too brief, I would point the reader to the longer work. Second, some have misunderstood what we were arguing for in The Race Set Before Us. Despite what we specifically set forth in the book, some have thought that we were proposing works-righteousness, an unreachable perfectionism, or even that true believers could fall from salvation by committing apostasy. Such conclusions directly contradict the previous work, and thus I think it will be helpful to consider the issues again in a less technical format, in order to provide further clarification of some controversial issues. In other words, another book is warranted because it will provide a fresh and somewhat different angle to the questions explored in The Race Set Before Us. In particular, I hope from time to time in this work to consider more directly the pastoral implications of the warnings and admonitions found in the NT. The role of admonitions and warnings is immensely practical in living out the Christian life, for it relates to the assurance of believers. Further, the study has important consequences for ministry, since it addresses how we should counsel believers from the Scriptures. (9-10)
Schreiner’s view has been summarized as “The Means of Salvation” and takes the warnings passages of the New Testament as serious as Arminians do while maintaining the New Testament teaching on eternal security as Calvinists do. This view is not Dr. Schreiner’s invention but has historical precedent and plenty of New Testament support as his exegesis demonstrates.
This little 131 page paperback is a great introduction to this view and will whet the appetite of those who want to devour the larger book that gets into the weeds!
While that first book, The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance, is nearly three times longer and written with Ardell Caneday, this much more accessible, briefer book clarifies and further defends Schreiner’s view of the warning passages.
Schreiner explains:
I want to examine in this book what I explored with Ardel Caneday in a more thorough way in a book titled The Race Set Before Us. Why is another book necessary if a previous book has already been published? First, the length and comprehensiveness of the previous book have been off-putting to some, and as a result the thesis of the book has not been accessible to all. My hope is that the current book will bring some of the central themes of the previous work to a wider audience. Where this book seems too brief, I would point the reader to the longer work. Second, some have misunderstood what we were arguing for in The Race Set Before Us. Despite what we specifically set forth in the book, some have thought that we were proposing works-righteousness, an unreachable perfectionism, or even that true believers could fall from salvation by committing apostasy. Such conclusions directly contradict the previous work, and thus I think it will be helpful to consider the issues again in a less technical format, in order to provide further clarification of some controversial issues. In other words, another book is warranted because it will provide a fresh and somewhat different angle to the questions explored in The Race Set Before Us. In particular, I hope from time to time in this work to consider more directly the pastoral implications of the warnings and admonitions found in the NT. The role of admonitions and warnings is immensely practical in living out the Christian life, for it relates to the assurance of believers. Further, the study has important consequences for ministry, since it addresses how we should counsel believers from the Scriptures. (9-10)
Schreiner’s view has been summarized as “The Means of Salvation” and takes the warnings passages of the New Testament as serious as Arminians do while maintaining the New Testament teaching on eternal security as Calvinists do. This view is not Dr. Schreiner’s invention but has historical precedent and plenty of New Testament support as his exegesis demonstrates.
This little 131 page paperback is a great introduction to this view and will whet the appetite of those who want to devour the larger book that gets into the weeds!
Read
January 10, 2023Just what I needed. Concise and insightful.
Great observations, like:
What it means to persevere, then, is not to gauge how far we have come but to keep clinging to Christ until the end. The good fruit comes not as we look to ourselves but as we deny any self-righteousness and find our righteousness in Christ. The call to perseverance, in other words, is a call to faith, not a call to work up the energy to make it to the end by our own strength.
And:
The reason for believers’ faithfulness does not lie in the strength of their will but in the love of Christ, which keeps them even through agonizing sufferings. The love of Christ is so compelling that believers are protected and kept by God, so that they are never separated from his love.
Great observations, like:
What it means to persevere, then, is not to gauge how far we have come but to keep clinging to Christ until the end. The good fruit comes not as we look to ourselves but as we deny any self-righteousness and find our righteousness in Christ. The call to perseverance, in other words, is a call to faith, not a call to work up the energy to make it to the end by our own strength.
And:
The reason for believers’ faithfulness does not lie in the strength of their will but in the love of Christ, which keeps them even through agonizing sufferings. The love of Christ is so compelling that believers are protected and kept by God, so that they are never separated from his love.
April 21, 2012
I was given this book by a dear friend and pastor here in Mwanza. "Run to Win the Prize" is a short book and an easy read and yet, had a more profound impact on my understanding of the Bible than any other book that I have read in the last year or so. "Run to Win the Prize" is an attempt to explain the warning passages of scripture and how they may fit with the concept of perseverance of the saints. In it, Schreiner argues that those passages of the Bible that say that if Christians continue in sin that they will face eternal judgement are important and meant to be taken as serious warnings for believers. They are also "means of grace" by which believers are prevented from falling back into sin. Schreiner, himself a believer in perseverance of the saints, argues that the reformed faith has often not taken these passages of scripture seriously enough and thus has missed out on the benefit that these admonitions can have in reminding us of the seriousness of sin the utmost importance of avoiding it at all costs. "Run..." is a condensed version of another book (The Race Set Before Us) that Thomas Schreiner wrote on the same subject. Although academic in content, it has a conversational tone as the content was originally given as a series of lectures at a seminary in the UK.
August 14, 2016
Christians have often wondered how to reconcile God’s promise to keep all of His people until the end with His command that His people must persevere until the end. Must Christians endure by their own strength? Thankfully, Schreiner addresses this puzzle with doctrinal clarity and pastoral concern. Though brief at times (since this is a pared-down summary of Schreiner’s The Race Set Before Us), Run is exceedingly helpful in unpacking the layers of this critical question.
May 26, 2018
Thomas R. Schreiner. Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance in the New Testament. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010. 128 pp. $10.61.
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is an important teaching in the word of God. At the same time, this doctrine is often misunderstood or caricatured to the detriment of those who misunderstand it. Thomas Schreiner, author and seminary professor, attempts to clarify this doctrine in a simple and accessible way in Run to Win the Prize.
Run to Win the Prize is a condensed and simplified version of a larger work entitled The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance by Schreiner and Caneday. At the same time, Run to Win the Prize is an attempt by Schreiner to respond to some misconceptions about the conclusions of the larger and more exhaustive work on the topic. But readers need not fear that this shorter version is unhelpful. Schreiner uses the smaller book size to great effect as he helps readers to consider some very important perspectives on perseverance.
First, Schreiner insists that the New Testament does teach perseverance. He argues that a person genuinely saved by God will remain saved. At no point does Schreiner allow for a view that holds that we keep ourselves saved by good works—a form of legalistic works righteousness. Nor does Schreiner ever offer a view that Christians who are genuine Christians can ever end up ultimately lost.
Often, when people hear a strong message of eternal security for the saved, they will respond with a twisting caricature of the doctrine. Opponents will claim that a person can pray a prayer, be saved, and then live however sinfully they want without consequence. Schreiner’s work speaks boldly against this view by arguing that the warning passages in Scripture are very real, very serious, and intended for believers.
Many Christians interpret passages such as the opening verses of Hebrews 6 as passages intended for people considering Christianity, but who are not yet converted. They, if they turn from grace, will be lost. Others suggest that the warning texts teach that someone can lose their salvation by intentionally walking away. Schreiner offers a third option.
Schreiner suggests that the warning passages are genuinely for Christians. He argues that the passages say exactly what they want to say, warning that a believer who intentionally turns from Christ and walks away will be lost. But Schreiner adds the biblical perspective that no genuine believer actually will make such a turn against the Lord. Schreiner argues that the warnings, genuine warnings, are means that the Lord uses to keep genuine believers. Like warnings on bottles of poison that declare to a person, “If you drink this you will die,” the warnings in Scripture, Schreiner argues, tell believers that if they turn from Jesus they will die. And, Schreiner argues, just as you and I would never drink the poison because of the warning, neither will genuine Christians ever turn against Christ so as to fall away eternally.
Schreiner also addresses briefly the misconception that an understanding of the doctrine of perseverance of the saints leads to a Wesleyan doctrine of perfectionism. The author is clear that he is not in any way teaching any form of sinless perfection among saints before the eschaton. Instead, he argues that believers are warned by God and kept by God. Believers will grow and be sanctified. But Believers will not be perfected until they leave this life.
I found Run to Win the Prize to be thoughtful, encouraging, and helpful. Personally, I am not certain that I agree with Dr. Schreiner regarding the audience for all of the warning passages. I believe it is possible that some of the passages are for those who have been exposed to Christianity, are considering it, are understanding its truth, but who are tempted to reject Jesus and walk to the Jewish temple religion (obviously pre AD 70). But, even if I disagree there, I must be humble enough to allow Dr. Schreiner to cause me to think my conclusions through thoroughly.
For sure, this book is a great help for believers in showing us that a true understanding of eternal security, perseverance of the saints, does not do away with our call to obedience and sanctification. Schreiner’s book sounds a clear call for all saints to recognize that God warns us sternly to remain in the faith, and God works in us, even using those warnings, to keep us in the faith.
The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is an important teaching in the word of God. At the same time, this doctrine is often misunderstood or caricatured to the detriment of those who misunderstand it. Thomas Schreiner, author and seminary professor, attempts to clarify this doctrine in a simple and accessible way in Run to Win the Prize.
Run to Win the Prize is a condensed and simplified version of a larger work entitled The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance by Schreiner and Caneday. At the same time, Run to Win the Prize is an attempt by Schreiner to respond to some misconceptions about the conclusions of the larger and more exhaustive work on the topic. But readers need not fear that this shorter version is unhelpful. Schreiner uses the smaller book size to great effect as he helps readers to consider some very important perspectives on perseverance.
First, Schreiner insists that the New Testament does teach perseverance. He argues that a person genuinely saved by God will remain saved. At no point does Schreiner allow for a view that holds that we keep ourselves saved by good works—a form of legalistic works righteousness. Nor does Schreiner ever offer a view that Christians who are genuine Christians can ever end up ultimately lost.
Often, when people hear a strong message of eternal security for the saved, they will respond with a twisting caricature of the doctrine. Opponents will claim that a person can pray a prayer, be saved, and then live however sinfully they want without consequence. Schreiner’s work speaks boldly against this view by arguing that the warning passages in Scripture are very real, very serious, and intended for believers.
Many Christians interpret passages such as the opening verses of Hebrews 6 as passages intended for people considering Christianity, but who are not yet converted. They, if they turn from grace, will be lost. Others suggest that the warning texts teach that someone can lose their salvation by intentionally walking away. Schreiner offers a third option.
Schreiner suggests that the warning passages are genuinely for Christians. He argues that the passages say exactly what they want to say, warning that a believer who intentionally turns from Christ and walks away will be lost. But Schreiner adds the biblical perspective that no genuine believer actually will make such a turn against the Lord. Schreiner argues that the warnings, genuine warnings, are means that the Lord uses to keep genuine believers. Like warnings on bottles of poison that declare to a person, “If you drink this you will die,” the warnings in Scripture, Schreiner argues, tell believers that if they turn from Jesus they will die. And, Schreiner argues, just as you and I would never drink the poison because of the warning, neither will genuine Christians ever turn against Christ so as to fall away eternally.
Schreiner also addresses briefly the misconception that an understanding of the doctrine of perseverance of the saints leads to a Wesleyan doctrine of perfectionism. The author is clear that he is not in any way teaching any form of sinless perfection among saints before the eschaton. Instead, he argues that believers are warned by God and kept by God. Believers will grow and be sanctified. But Believers will not be perfected until they leave this life.
I found Run to Win the Prize to be thoughtful, encouraging, and helpful. Personally, I am not certain that I agree with Dr. Schreiner regarding the audience for all of the warning passages. I believe it is possible that some of the passages are for those who have been exposed to Christianity, are considering it, are understanding its truth, but who are tempted to reject Jesus and walk to the Jewish temple religion (obviously pre AD 70). But, even if I disagree there, I must be humble enough to allow Dr. Schreiner to cause me to think my conclusions through thoroughly.
For sure, this book is a great help for believers in showing us that a true understanding of eternal security, perseverance of the saints, does not do away with our call to obedience and sanctification. Schreiner’s book sounds a clear call for all saints to recognize that God warns us sternly to remain in the faith, and God works in us, even using those warnings, to keep us in the faith.
October 30, 2024
What a tremendous read!!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and benefited from it greatly. Here are my thoughts if you care to read them:
First, I found Schreiner’s arguments against an Arminian view of perseverance to be new, thought provoking, sharp, and really helpful. I felt like I got to learn so many new things in this regard.
Second, Schreiner writes with a great deal of charity towards opposing views. This helped me grow in charity towards my Arminian minded friends who believe they can lose their salvation. Although I differ from them and disagree, Schreiner helped point out their logic of thought and how it is actually reasonable (yet not ultimately convincing when it comes to passages of Scripture). Something my husband has taught me on this note is that although we differ with Arminians on if you can lose your salvation or not (I really believe the Bible says you can’t!), our applications are the same: press on! persevere to the end! keep trusting Christ and the gospel!!!!! This is a sweet learning point for me.
Third, I found this book to be so devotional and encouraging to my soul! He spent so much helpful time emphasising that warning passages are for believers and are a means for believers to press on and head the warnings. The warnings aren’t to cause unhelpful introspection, something I am so prone to. He also had a wonderfully devotional appendix with incredible quotes from Luther.
Overall, fantastic. 100% recommend. Especially for Christians who wrestle with assurance!
First, I found Schreiner’s arguments against an Arminian view of perseverance to be new, thought provoking, sharp, and really helpful. I felt like I got to learn so many new things in this regard.
Second, Schreiner writes with a great deal of charity towards opposing views. This helped me grow in charity towards my Arminian minded friends who believe they can lose their salvation. Although I differ from them and disagree, Schreiner helped point out their logic of thought and how it is actually reasonable (yet not ultimately convincing when it comes to passages of Scripture). Something my husband has taught me on this note is that although we differ with Arminians on if you can lose your salvation or not (I really believe the Bible says you can’t!), our applications are the same: press on! persevere to the end! keep trusting Christ and the gospel!!!!! This is a sweet learning point for me.
Third, I found this book to be so devotional and encouraging to my soul! He spent so much helpful time emphasising that warning passages are for believers and are a means for believers to press on and head the warnings. The warnings aren’t to cause unhelpful introspection, something I am so prone to. He also had a wonderfully devotional appendix with incredible quotes from Luther.
Overall, fantastic. 100% recommend. Especially for Christians who wrestle with assurance!
March 24, 2025
(Came here via Kingdom through Covenant) Helpful little book about the role of warnings in the NT (C2&5). Similar to his chapter in The Perfect Saviour (themes in Hebrews), but that chp has more detail on the Heb passages, whereas this book explores other parts of the NT and has more on assurance, and defends how perseverance is not perfection or works-righteousness.
Gd point about needing to read Heb 6 synoptically- alongside the other warnings in Hebrews, and the rest of the NT, to see that they are all addressed to believers, as the means by which God preserves his people, rather than isolate it and say it describes someone who was in the visible church but has fallen away, proving they were never part of the invisible church. The warnings are redemptive and salvific, road signs to warn drivers, a tour-guide showing us the depth and horrors of a precipice so that we would not go near it (Spurgeon), i.e. they are prospective- instructions shouted to runners in a race/troops in battle so they will be strengthened to persevere in the future, rather than armchair reflections about those who have deserted the race/battle (which provokes unhelpful introspection/doubt).
Gd point about needing to read Heb 6 synoptically- alongside the other warnings in Hebrews, and the rest of the NT, to see that they are all addressed to believers, as the means by which God preserves his people, rather than isolate it and say it describes someone who was in the visible church but has fallen away, proving they were never part of the invisible church. The warnings are redemptive and salvific, road signs to warn drivers, a tour-guide showing us the depth and horrors of a precipice so that we would not go near it (Spurgeon), i.e. they are prospective- instructions shouted to runners in a race/troops in battle so they will be strengthened to persevere in the future, rather than armchair reflections about those who have deserted the race/battle (which provokes unhelpful introspection/doubt).
June 6, 2018
Schrenier packs a lot into this tiny book! I appreciate the intention of publishing this summarized version of the book he wrote with Caneday titled “The race set before us.” So we are essentially getting the creme de la creme of a more extensive treatment on the all important theological topic of PERSEVERANCE. If you find like this appetiser, then there is a the full course buffet to attempt as well.
Schreiner’s exegetical summaries of the key passages were a joy to read - easily comprehensible, engaging and yet theologically rich. I enjoyed and percolated how he presented the various theological positions faithfully and was surprised to find that he defends one in between Arminianism and Calvinism. This book helped improve my understanding of this topic and I heavily recommend it!
Schreiner’s exegetical summaries of the key passages were a joy to read - easily comprehensible, engaging and yet theologically rich. I enjoyed and percolated how he presented the various theological positions faithfully and was surprised to find that he defends one in between Arminianism and Calvinism. This book helped improve my understanding of this topic and I heavily recommend it!
January 24, 2023
“Perseverance, then, does not lead to pride but to humility, for it is nothing other than clinging to Christ and his righteousness. We show our trust by obeying, for there is no other way to receive the prize on the last day.”
Schreiner does a great job looking at the doctrine of perseverance of God’s elect through New Testament scriptures. He addresses key concepts of the warnings in the NT to believers and the fact that perseverance does not equate to perfection in the flesh. He also takes a look at how warnings, which are given directly to God’s elect, are beneficial for our Christian walk, but we can be assured of our salvation being secured by the love of Christ.
Schreiner does a great job looking at the doctrine of perseverance of God’s elect through New Testament scriptures. He addresses key concepts of the warnings in the NT to believers and the fact that perseverance does not equate to perfection in the flesh. He also takes a look at how warnings, which are given directly to God’s elect, are beneficial for our Christian walk, but we can be assured of our salvation being secured by the love of Christ.
April 13, 2023
This is a small book on a big subject. It looks at the doctrine if perseverance as it is taught in biblical warnings. And whereas the “warning passages” if Scripture can bring anxious thoughts, Schreiner emphasizes that they are means to keep true Christians from falling away.
Do the warning passages, such as in Hebrews 6, keep you on your toes as such? Then the Spirit is applying them to your heart as they are meant to. Cling to Christ knowing He has hold if you. Continue on in faith and don’t allow your heart to be “sluggish.”
The warnings are our guardrails installed by a loving Father who uses them to bring us home safely.
Do the warning passages, such as in Hebrews 6, keep you on your toes as such? Then the Spirit is applying them to your heart as they are meant to. Cling to Christ knowing He has hold if you. Continue on in faith and don’t allow your heart to be “sluggish.”
The warnings are our guardrails installed by a loving Father who uses them to bring us home safely.
September 20, 2023
Schreiner explains how the promises and warnings of Scripture are not opposed to each other but rather are friends. As he argues, I pray that the warnings in Scripture would be a means that God uses to help us persevere, i.e. to keep clinging to Christ and trusting in him for our salvation to the end.
January 15, 2023
What a helpful and encouraging book written on the warning passages in the NT. Highly recommend if you wrestle with those passages that seem to say that as a believer you could apostatize. This helps to bring scriptural light to these often poorly handled passages.
August 20, 2020
Offers a helpfully concise introduction to the theme of perseverance.
September 29, 2020
This book was extremely helpful in outlining the doctrine of perseverance threaded throughout the New Testament!
Very timely read!
Very timely read!
February 6, 2021
Clear, concise look at the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints.
December 29, 2024
the shorter less academic edition of "the race set before us". great help for hebrews
June 24, 2017
This book is a more concise, accessible follow up to the author's longer book "The Race Set Before Us". For readers wanting to delve into the reality of New Testament warnings to believers in the biblical text to believers, the call to endurance, with various promises of tGod's love, assurance, and promises of preservation,. Dr. Schreiner careful analysis is a helpful guide.
November 1, 2012
This is a great book on the warning passages in the New Testament. Schreiner explains that the warnings are the means that God uses to keep genuine Christians from falling away from Christ. They are not primarily written for false believers, nor do they teach that a Christian can lose his/her salvation. Neither do the warnings threaten believers with the loss of mere rewards. They threaten real Christians with eternal doom if they finally forsake Christ as the only hope of salvation. In this way, the warnings help us continue to look to Christ alone for our salvation. This book is very practical, and I highly recommend it.
June 14, 2013
He convinced me of the P in TULIP. Coming from a "free grace" background I often puzzled over the warnings in Scripture. Some interpretations obliterated assurance. Other interpretations had genuine believers ending up in "almost-hell". Still others made them apply only to unbelievers - which seemed a stretch in Hebrews 6. But as I read this book everything started to fit together. Schreiner proposes that the warnings are the means by which genuine believers persevere and he argues his case well. I'm convinced!
March 6, 2015
Excellent. Highly recommended. Far too often we do not take the warning passages seriously enough (dismissing them as if they are addressed to others, not ourselves), or we read them in the wrong way (as a source of condemnation). Schreiner shows how the point of these passages is to help the saints continue in the perseverance that is a necessary part of God's work of salvation. Whatever your position, this book is well worth your time to read.
February 24, 2016
Schreiner is such a solid, clear writer. If you've ever had questions on this topic, this is a quick and accessible read. I appreciated his earnest effort clarify his points from a previous (larger and more scholarly) work on the topic.
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November 26, 2011Schreiner helps us understand what perseverance in the faith looks like, with special attention to assurance of salvation and biblical warning passages.
October 8, 2014
Very helpful introduction on the topic of perseverance in the Christian life.
October 14, 2014
Loved it!
October 11, 2016
I'm not sure I completely agree with his view of the warning passages, but his arguments are solid and Biblical. Intellectually engaging.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews