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 TH 513 Systematic Theology IIDr. Mark Hardgrove, Instructor

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Geisler, Norman Vol. 3Geisler, Norman Vol. 3

Systematic Theology IISystematic Theology IIChapter SeventeenChapter Seventeen

““The Content of The Content of Salvation”Salvation”

pp. 524-553pp. 524-553

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The Content of Salvation

In this chapter Geisler wrestles with the thorny of issue of what a person must believe (the content of his faith) in order to be saved.

 Though differences between denominations maybe subtle or stark, the question of content isimportant in terms of establishing what we mustbelieve in order to be saved, and thereby

acknowledge one another as “brothers” and“sisters” in the body of Christ.

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Distinctions

Geisler makes distinctions between different aspects of believing and of faith:

 The Object of faith vs. the Basis of faith

 The Object of faith vs. the Content of faith

 The Conditions for Obtaining a Gift vs. Conditions forLosing a Gift

Absolute Conditions vs. Normative Conditions

One-Time Normative Conditions vs. All-Time Normative

Conditions Explicit Necessary Conditions vs. Implicit Necessary

Conditions

Consistent Beliefs vs. Inconsistent Beliefs

Denying vs. Not Believing

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The Difference Between

Absolute and Normative

It is normally but no absolutely necessary to use dry woodin order to build a fire. Similarly, God could will asnormatively necessary what is not absolutely necessary forsomeone to be saved. For example, He could will as a

normative salvific condition that all people believe inChrist’s substituionary death (atonement) on their behalf,even if this particularly belief were not an absolutenecessity for salvation. The present issue is not whether infact Christ needed to die for our sins in order for us to besaved but whether belief in that reality is an absolutelynecessary condition for salvation.

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The Difference BetweenThe Difference BetweenExplicit and ImplicitExplicit and ImplicitNormative ConditionsNormative ConditionsWhat is implicitly necessary for salvation is notalways explicitly so. It would seem that all essentialsalvific (saving) truth itself is necessary for salvationin its comprehensive sense. However, evengranting this (as most evangelicals do) does notmean that a person must explicitly believe everyelement of it in order to receive the gift of everlasting life. It is possible, for example, that a

certain truly saved person never heard about (letalone believed in) Christ’s virgin birth or ascensionat the time he believed the gospel and was saved(cf. Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-6).

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Geisler’s Assessment of

ContentIn the final slide of this presentation is achart (found on pages 544-545 of Geisler,vol. 3), in which Geisler, using the delimitersof absolute, normative, explicit and implicit,indicates what he believes is essential forsalvation.

AbsolutelyAbsolutely refers to what is nor isn’t an

absolute necessity for belief today to besaved; that is, whether God could or couldn’tsave someone unless he or she believed it.

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Geisler’s Assessment of

ContentNormativelyNormatively refers to whethersomething is mandated by God but isnot absolutely necessary; that is,

whether the belief is required by Godfor His own reasons, not becausesalvation wouldn’t be possible withoutthat specific belief.

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Geisler’s Assessment of

ContentExplicitlyExplicitly refers to whether a person mustovertly believe in a specific truth in order toreceive salvation.

ImplicitlyImplicitly refers to whether or not a certaintruth, while not an explicit part of the belief content necessary for salvation today, isimplied in another truth in which belief is

explicitly necessary for salvation today.

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Geisler’s Assessment of

ContentFamiliarize yourself with the charton the next slide. Ask yourself if you agree with Geisler’s assessment

and why you agree or disagree.

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What Is Necessary to Believe to BeWhat Is Necessary to Believe to BeSaved?Saved?

AbsolutelyAbsolutely NormativelNormativelyy

ExplicitlyExplicitly ImplicitlyImplicitlyOnlyOnly

1. Human Depravity No Yes No Yes

2. Christ’s Virgin Birth No Yes No Yes

3. Christ’s Sinlessness No Yes No Yes

4. Christ’s Humanity No Yes No Yes

5. Christ’s Deity Yes Yes Yes No

6. God’s Unity Yes Yes Yes No

7. The Trinity No Yes No Yes

8. The Necessity of Grace Yes Yes Yes No

9. The Necessity of Faith Yes Yes Yes No

10. Christ’s Atoning Death No Yes Yes No

11. Christ’s Bodily Resurrection No Yes Yes No

12. Christ’s Bodily Ascension No No No No

13. Christ’s Present Session No No No No

14. Christ’s Bodily SecondComing

No No No No

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Reminders

Know when your final paper is due andprep for the final exam.