Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 7 and 8

8/14/2019 Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 7 and 8

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Geisler, NormanGeisler, Norman

Systematic TheologySystematic Theology

IIIIWeek 10, Session 2Week 10, Session 2


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Geisler, Norman, Vol.Geisler, Norman, Vol.33

Systematic TheologySystematic TheologyIIII

Chapter 7Chapter 7 The Origin of The Origin of


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Biblical Basis forBiblical Basis for

SalvationSalvationElection according to GodsElection according to GodsForeknowledgeForeknowledgePeter spoke of the elect according toPeter spoke of the elect according to

the foreknowledge of God thethe foreknowledge of God theFather (1 Peter 1:2).Father (1 Peter 1:2).

If God chooses to create moralIf God chooses to create moralcreatures, then He must actcreatures, then He must actconsistently with His unchangingconsistently with His unchangingnature of love and justice and withnature of love and justice and withthe freedom He chose to give Histhe freedom He chose to give His


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SalvationSalvationThe Condition for Giving vs. ReceivingThe Condition for Giving vs. ReceivingThe conditions God gave to save freeThe conditions God gave to save freemoral agents must be in accordancemoral agents must be in accordance

with the freedom He gave them.with the freedom He gave them.Therefore there is no condition forTherefore there is no condition forGodsGods giving

giving salvation, but there issalvation, but there isone (and only one) condition forone (and only one) condition forreceivingreceiving

the gift of eternal life: faiththe gift of eternal life: faith(Acts 16:31; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9).(Acts 16:31; Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9).


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SalvationSalvationThe Nature of Gods DecreesThe Nature of Gods Decrees The Nature of Grace: Unmerited FavorThe Nature of Grace: Unmerited Favor(Rom. 6:23)(Rom. 6:23)

The Object of Grace: Repentant SinnerThe Object of Grace: Repentant Sinner(Eph. 2:8)(Eph. 2:8) The Revelation of Grace and Wrath (theThe Revelation of Grace and Wrath (therejection of grace incurs wrath, and therejection of grace incurs wrath, and the

acceptance of grace brings salvation).acceptance of grace brings salvation).


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The Order of Gods Decrees:The Order of Gods Decrees:

Various ViewsVarious ViewsSupralapsarianismSupralapsarianism

1.Elect some and reprobate others2.Create both the elect and the non-elect3.Permit the Fall

4.Provide salvation only for the elect5.Apply salvation only to the elect


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Various ViewsVarious ViewsInfralapsarianismInfralapsarianism

1.Create all2.Permit the Fall3.Elect some and pass others by

4.Provide salvation only for the elect5.Apply salvation only to the elect


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Various ViewsVarious ViewsSublapsarianismSublapsarianism

1.Create all

2.Permit the Fall3.Provide salvation for all4.Elect those who believe and pass those who dont

5.Apply salvation only to believers (who cannotlose it.)


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Various ViewsVarious ViewsWesleyanismWesleyanism

1.Create all

2.Permit the Fall3.Provide salvation for all4.Elect based on the foreseen faith of believers5.Apply salvation only to believers (who can

lose it.)


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Geisler, Norman, Vol.Geisler, Norman, Vol.33

Systematic TheologySystematic TheologyIIII

Chapter 8Chapter 8 Theories of Theories of


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Recapitulation Theory of the AtonementAs proposed by Irenaeus (c. 125-c. 202) is summed in this

statement:

The fully divine Christ become fully man in order to sum up all humanity in himself. What was lost through the disobedienceof the fires dam was restored through the obedience of the

second Adam. Christ when through all the stages of humanlife, resited all temptations, died and arose a victor over death and the devil. [Hence,] all the benefits of Christsvictory are available through participation in him.

Irenaeus used Romans 5:18-21 to support this view.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Ransom Theory of the AtonementA view held by various church fathers, best articulated by

Origen (c. 185-c. 254).

This view proposes that Christs death was paid to Satan to purchase human beings, who were captive to sin. Mark 10:45 is used in support of this view.

Origin wrote: Now it was the devil that held us, to whose side

we had been drawn away by our sins. He asked, therefore,as our price the blood of Christ (CR, 2.3)


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Moral-Example Theory of AtonementPelagius (c. 354-c. 420) offered this view of atonement.

According to this position, Christs death proficed an

example of faith and obedience that inspires others to beobedient to God. The exhortation of 1 Peter 2:21 is oftenused to suppor this view:To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving youan example, that you should follow in his steps.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Necessary-Satisfaction Theory of AtonementAnselm (1033-1109) offered this view of atonement. It affirms

that it was necessary for Gods offended justice and honor besatisfied be a penalty only Christ could pay. Unlike Origensransom theory, however, Anselm said that since God wasoffended, it was God who must be compensated.

1. Sin puts us in debt to God2. God is just and cannot overlook sin3. We cannot pay our own debt of sin.4. God cannot forgive sins without the debt being paid.5. Only the God-Man could pay the debt of sin.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Moral-Influence Theory of AtonementPeter Abelard (1079-1142) is credited with this theory. It

holds that the primary effect of Christs death was as a

demonstration of Gods great love for us.

Abelard developed this theory in reaction to the necessary-satisfaction theory that some sort of payment to God was

required.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Optimal-Satisfaction Theory of AtonementThomas Aquinas (1225-1274) offered is theory which allowed

for but did not require satisfaction of God for the sinner.

His argument is:(1) Christs passion caused God to be satisfied on behalf of our sins.(2) God could have forgiven us without Christs death.(3) However, there was no better or more fitting way to satisfy God

than with the death of Christ.

Aquinas argues that God is not an accountant, adding up our sins that must be paid for, but instead is a parent wanting toforgive us while also desiring to change us so that we willnot choose evil again.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the AtonementThe Substitution Theory of AtonementThe roots of this theory are found in the ransom and the optimal-

satisfaction theories. The substitution theory insists thatsatisfaction of God must be accomplished, but not just becauseGods honor has been offended but also because His absolute

justice has been violated, and therefore, a substitution for our sins had to be made by the sinless Son of God.

John Calvin (1509-1564) is credited with giving expression to thisview. He states: God was the enemy of men until they wererestored in favour by the death of Christ (Rom. 5:10); they werecursed until their iniquity was expiated by the sacrifice of Christ(Gal. 3:10).


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the Atonement

The Governmental Theory of AtonementHugo Grotius (1583-1645) reacting to the moral-example viewwhich he felt

lacked an emphasis upon Gods justice and holinessformulated thistheory. His argument is that in His holiness, God has established laws towhich sin is in opposition. Grotius argued that any violation of these laws

was a serious matter. The model follows this progression:God, as a sovereign ruler, has the right to punish sin, which is inherently

deserving of punishment, but it is not mandatory that He do so. Love isGods dominant attribute. He desires to forgive sins, but He wishes to do itin such a way as to maintain His moral government.

Just as a creditor may cancel a debt is he chooses, God taking into account the best interest of humanity, sent Christ do die for our sins. The death of Christ was not a payment, but a substitute for the penalty. Christs sacrificedemonstrated that Gods justice will require us to suffer if we continue insin.


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Theories of the AtonementTheories of the Atonement

The Mystical Theory of AtonementFriedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) proposed that salvation is

attained by a mystical union with Christin Him, the idea of humanity is fully realized.

According to this theory, since Christ was the absolute unity of divinity an humanity, God became man that man bay becomeGod. As God-men, the redeemed partake of the divinenature, or the life of Christ.

Adherents to this theory believe that salvation is a mysticalunion with God in Christ (cf. Eph. 4:3-4). This theoryalleges that there is no objective basis in any redemptive actof Christ on the cross that makes salvation possible.


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Various Views of the AtonementVarious Views of the AtonementTheories Gods

AttributeBasic Goal Object Key Verses Proponent

Recapitu-lation

Omni- potence

Reverse the Fall Satan Romans5:15-21

Irenaeus

Ransom Wisdom Defeat Satan Satan Mark 10:45 Origen

Moral-Example

Love Show Gods love Humanity Romans 5:8;5:17-19

Pelagius,Abelard

Necessary-Satisfaction

Majesty Pay the debt of sin

God 1 John 2:1 Anselm

Optimal-Satisfaction

Mercy Restore the sinner Humanity Luke 19:10 Aquinas

Substitution Justice Appease wrath,

release mercy

God Isaiah 42:21 Calvin

Govern-mental

Sovereignty Keep moral order God andhumanity

Isaiah 42:21 Grotius

Mystical Oneness Unite us withGod

Humanity Eph. 4:3-4;5:30-32

Schleier-macher

Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 7 and 8

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