No Condemnation: A Theology of Assurance of Salvation
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
This is a new, fully revised, edited and updated edition of Michael Eaton’s magisterial study of the biblical, theological, and historical dimensions of assurance in the life of a Christian believer. He challenges both traditional Arminian and Calvinist views, in which salvation and good works are too tightly bound together, by drawing a clear distinction between salvation and reward. Eaton expounds a robust and radical grace-through which salvation overflows in assurance-based on a survey of select portions of the Old and New Testaments, and in dialogue with relevant writings by others. In particular, this edition includes a new section of three chapters in which Eaton responds to the writings of Tom Wright on covenant.
- Examines the biblical, theological, and historical dimensions of assurance
- Challenges both traditional Arminian and Calvinist views
- Provides a fully revised, edited, and updated edition
- A Theological Problem
- Towards A Deeper Appreciation of Grace
- Justification as Covenant Membership?
- James, John, Matthew—and Paul
- Motivation: Inheritance and Admonition
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“Those who walk in the Spirit are not under the Mosaic law because they do not have to be” (Page 14)
“Arminian theology takes the warnings of Scripture as relating to salvation (by which I mean justification-new birth-sonship) and as warning against apostasy or forfeiture of salvation (by which I mean loss of justification-new birth-sonship). Final salvation hinges upon the Christian’s good works. Calvinism likewise has also taken the warnings of Scripture as relating to salvation. If a high Augustinian doctrine of perseverance is maintained, then the Calvinist sees the warnings of Scripture as addressed to the danger of pseudo-salvation. Thus an introspective note is introduced. Real salvation is so inseparably tied to good works that they constitute a test of genuine salvation, a test which is meant to be used by the Christian in self-examination.” (Page 57)
“Sanctification does not take care of itself. Also, the Christian needs some warning! Inheritance-reward could be lost (Eph. 5:5)! The wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. If the Christian is associated with the sins of the wicked they will be hurt by the fiery judgement that is on its way, and be saved ‘through fire’ (Eph. 5:6–7). You were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light … (5:8). Nothing in Ephesians 4–6 is taking back what Paul said in Ephesians 1–3! Loss of sonship is not on Paul’s mind. But sanctification is getting distinct and separate attention. It does not take care of itself.” (Pages 59–60)
“My thesis is that the Christian is totally free from the Mosaic covenant, that it is a mistake in theology to take the law as recorded in the decalogue as a ‘rule of life’13 or as a needful tool in bringing about conviction of sin,14 that the Sinai covenant is in radical antithesis to the movement in history that began with Abraham, that it was an intrusion into the history of redemption, was innovative, unnecessary, exclusively an interim measure and therefore is now of no direct relevance to the Christian. Because of this release from condemnation Christian godliness may proceed upon the basis of a high level of assurance of salvation.” (Page 17)
- Title: No Condemnation: A Theology of Assurance of Salvation
- Author: Michael A. Eaton
- Edition: Second, Revised Edition
- Publisher: Piquant Editions
- Print Publication Date: 2011
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Pages: 401
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Assurance (Theology); Salvation › Christianity; Grace (Theology); Law and gospel; Liberty › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781903689721, 1903689724
- Resource ID: LLS:NCNDMNTNSSSLVTN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:44:59Z