Lordship salvation

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It has been suggested that this article be merged into Lordship salvation controversy. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2025.

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John MacArthur Arthur W. Pink (1886 – 15 July 1952) advocated Lordship salvation-[1]

Lordship salvation is a doctrine taught by many Evangelical theologians, being associated with popular figures such as John MacArthur, John Piper and R. C. Sproul.[2][3][4] Lordship salvation teaches that although we are saved by faith alone, saving faith must be accompanied by submission to the Lordship of Christ, which leads to an obedient life as fruit. This doctrine is in stark contrast with Free Grace theology, which sees faith as distinct from a personal decision to turn from one's sins and submit to Jesus.[4][5][6][7]

## History

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See also: Lordship salvation controversy

The Neonomian doctrines of Richard Baxter have often been compared to Lordship salvation, which caused a controversy with the Marrow Brethren in the 17th century.[8][9]

The doctrines of Lordship salvation have been debated within Evangelical Christianity since at least the early 20th century, when Lewis Sperry Chafer debated B. B. Warfield the topic. It later developed into the Lordship salvation controversy in the late 1980s and the 1990s, centering around the question on if making Jesus as the "Lord of your life" was necessary for salvation.[10][11][12]

Modern advocates of Lordship salvation include individuals such as:

* John MacArthur[4]
* John Piper[3]
* R. C Sproul[2]
* John Stott[13]
* B.B. Warfield[13]
* Arthur W. Pink[1]
* John Gerstner[2]
* Matthew Slick[14]
* Kenneth Gentry[15]

## Teachings

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### Reformed

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John MacArthur describes Lordship salvation as the view that a decision to turn from sin and submit to Jesus must be conjoined with saving faith, leading to a lifetime of fruit, although a person can temporarily fall from obedience.[4] This view denies a distinction between discipleship and salvation, seeing the gospel as a call to discipleship and submission.[4][16] Thus, it teaches that salvation should be viewed as costly, not only because of the cost Jesus paid for the salvation of the elect, but also for the cost which the individual will have to pay for it.[17]: 93  Additionally teaching that assurance of salvation necessitates self-examination.[18]: 96–97

Advocates of Lordship salvation oppose the doctrine of Free Grace theology, criticizing them for viewing repentance as a mere synonym for faith and for denying personal commitment as a part of saving faith.[4] Lordship salvation advocates such as John Gerstner view Free Grace theology as "Antinomian", arguing that it does not square with the biblical doctrines of grace.[2]

Some advocates of the doctrine such as John Piper additionally teach, that the fruit in the life of a Christian will be the determining factor for "final salvation". Teaching that although initial justification is by faith alone, good works generated by the Holy Spirit will be the basis of final salvation at the judgement of a Christian after death,[19] saying that Christians are saved by faith and the fruit they have generated.[20]

### Methodist

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Wesleyan Methodist theology stresses the importance of obedience after justification and is thus seen as upholding Lordship salvation.[21][22] Those who do not bear fruit or engage in sin (and do not repent) are seen by Wesleyan-Arminians as "fall[ing] from grace into apostasy."[21] Methodist theologian Brian Black summarizes the Wesleyan doctrine on works of righteousness in relation to salvation:[23]

> One must always strive to do his utmost for God out of love for Him, but in order to maintain salvation, a person must not willfully disobey God. All Christians must keep firmly in mind that none will have their sins forgiven by any efforts of their own. We are totally saved by grace through faith in Christ. Yet, we must never forget that one who is just shall live by faith (Ro 1:17). It is not a single act of faith but a continual life of faith that leads to final salvation (Ro 11:19-22). The word translated faith can also be translated faithfulness. To have faith in Christ also means to be faithful to Christ. Faithfulness to Christ involves keeping the commands of Christ. At the judgment, Christ will tell those who commit iniquity to depart from Him (Mt 7:23).[23]

## Criticism

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Lordship salvation has gained opposition from some Reformed theologians such as R. Scott Clark,[24][25] Free Grace theologians such as Charles Ryrie and Zane Hodges[26][27] along with from those who belong to the so-called "Hyper-Grace" movement such as Andrew Farley.[28]

Critics of Lordship salvation generally argue that it makes assurance impossible,[29] often arguing that it is inconsistent with salvation by faith alone.[28][30] Other critics, such as Ryrie and Hodges, further argue that Lordship salvation is a false gospel, which cannot save, and that the position repeats the Galatian error.[15]

Reformed critics of Lordship salvation such as R. Scott Clark, who is a Reformed seminary professor at Westminster Seminary California, have argued that the doctrine of Lordship salvation does not accurately reflect the Reformation understanding of justification, claiming that it repeats aspects of the medieval understanding of justification which the Reformers rejected.[24][25] Although Scott Clark rejects Lordship salvation, he also rejected the Free Grace views held by Hodges, arguing that it is an antinomian reaction to the moralism that has developed in the church.[31]

## See also

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* Christianity portal

* Marrow Controversy
* Neonomianism
* Antinomian controversy

## References

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1. ^ a b Nash, H. Ronald (1993). "The Controversy Over Lordship Salvation". Great divides: understanding the controversies that come between Christians. NavPress. ISBN 0-89109-696-5. OCLC 27035129.
2. ^ a b c d "Lordship Salvation". Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
3. ^ a b Piper, John (1990-02-01). "Letter to a Friend Concerning the So-Called "Lordship Salvation"". Desiring God. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
4. ^ a b c d e f "An Introduction to Lordship Salvation". Grace to You. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
5. ^ MacArthur, John F. (2006-01-08). Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-1-4185-1360-3.
6. ^ MacArthur, John (2008). The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith?. Zondervan. ISBN 978-0-310-29136-7.
7. ^ "John MacArthur's Lordship Salvation". theaquilareport.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
8. ^ Nyenhuis, Jacob E. (2007-06-06). A Goodly Heritage: Essays in Honor of the Reverend Dr. Elton J. Bruins at Eighty. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-8028-6002-6. "John MacArthur Jr. ... receiving him as Lord ) and the " antinomian " advocates of free grace ( e.g. , dispensationalists at Dallas Seminary ) clearly echoes the issues argued by the Marrow Men and their " neonomian " opponents ."
9. ^ Packer, Timothy Beougher And J. I. (16 December 1991). "'Go Fetch Baxter'". ChristianityToday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-09.
10. ^ Naselli, Andy. "Must Jesus Be Lord?". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
11. ^ "The Lordship Controversy". Grace to You. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
12. ^ Bing, Charles C. (July 2010). Lordship Salvation: A Biblical Evaluation and Response. Xulon Press. ISBN 978-1-60957-580-9.
13. ^ a b Ministries, GraceLife. "A History of Free Grace". www.gracelife.org. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
14. ^ Slick, Matt (2014-05-26). "What is Lordship salvation and is it biblical?". Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
15. ^ a b "The Controversy Over Lordship Salvation". C.S. Lewis Institute. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
16. ^ "The Cost of Discipleship". Grace to You. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
17. ^ MacArthur, John F. (2006-01-08). Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-1-4185-1360-3.
18. ^ MacArthur, John F. (2006-01-08). Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-1-4185-1360-3.
19. ^ Will We Be Finally 'Saved' by Faith Alone?, retrieved 2024-07-01
20. ^ Piper, John (2017-09-25). "Does God Really Save Us by Faith Alone?". Desiring God. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
21. ^ a b Roger E. Olson (2005). The SCM Press A-Z of Evangelical Theology. SCM Press. p. 318-319. ISBN 978-0-334-04011-8.
22. ^ Sawyer, M. James (11 April 2016). The Survivor's Guide to Theology. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 363\. ISBN 9781498294058.
23. ^ a b Black, Brian (2023). Properly Defining Sin. Heritage Publications. p. 20.
24. ^ a b "Lordship Salvation, The Federal Vision, And The Covenant Theology That The Reformation Rejected". The Heidelblog. 2023-01-09. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
25. ^ a b "My Pilgrimage From "Lordship" to Law/Gospel (part 1) - The Heidelblog". heidelblog.net/. 2022-06-02. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
26. ^ Ryrie, Charles C. (1997-07-01). So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ. Moody Publishers. ISBN 978-1-57567-636-4.
27. ^ Hodges, Zane Clark (1989). Absolutely Free!: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation. Zondervan. ISBN 978-0-310-51960-7.
28. ^ a b Farley, Andrew (2023-10-17). 101 Bible Questions: And the Surprising Answers You May Not Hear in Church. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-68451-476-2.
29. ^ Wilkin, Bob (2023-07-17). "What Convinces People That Lordship Salvation Is True? – Grace Evangelical Society". Retrieved 2024-04-12.
30. ^ Wilkin, Bob (2006-09-01). "Lordship Salvation for Dummies – Grace Evangelical Society". Retrieved 2024-04-12.
31. ^ "You Might Be An Antinomian (Or Maybe Not) - The Heidelblog". heidelblog.net/. 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2024-07-01.