Next week (May 27, 2021), we will be launching the website of The International Society for Biblical Hermeneutics (www.biblicalhermeneutics.org). We will also be launching our first ISBH volume, which will consist of papers presented at the symposium on “Current Issues in Soteriology.” The volume will be free and available on kindle.
In the mean time, sign up for ISBH updates and announcements at www.biblicalhermeneutics.org.
Here is the preface from that volume:
Preface
The message of salvation is rather simple: God gives eternal life to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. The doctrine of salvation, often called soteriology, is more complex. What is eternal life? What does believe mean? Who is Jesus Christ? What right does He have to offer anything to anyone? Is faith in Christ really sufficient? Is faith even necessary? Erroneous soteriology can hinder an individual’s spiritual maturity. Worse yet, false soteriology can even inhibit the proclamation of the saving message itself. This volume addresses a handful of current issues in soteriology that are problematic for both believers and nonbelievers around the globe.
The chapters were presented at the first symposium for The International Society for Biblical Hermeneutics (ISBH) in January 2021. Being a new venture, ISBH deemed it appropriate to begin with a volume on the doctrine of salvation. This is not to say that every member agrees on every aspect of soteriology, nor does it mean that any participant in ISBH has arrived at his final understanding. On the contrary, Christians should be discussing these issues with each other and growing in their knowledge of the Bible and theology therein.
In the first chapter, Paul Miles divides soteriological compromises into four quadrants: two of which compromise on the sufficiency of faith alone in Christ alone, and two of which compromise on the necessity of faith in Christ. Responding to one compromise on faith’s sufficiency, David James discusses a conundrum of Lordship Salvation. Tom Stegall defends faith’s sufficiency from another attack in his chapter, “Does John’s Gospel Require Continual Belief for Eternal Salvation?” and Paul Miles answers another common question in “Does James Make Works a Criterion for Eternal Life?” The short answer to both questions is “No.” David James then compares and contrasts Eastern and Western Catholicism, both of which advocate works-based merit, but each in their distinct ways. He then discusses a question of pluralism in the chapter, “Justification: Are Evangelicals and Catholics Really Together?” The short answer to this question is also “No.” James Myers brings balance to the controversial issue of Old Testament salvation and then provides an overview of baptisms. Both of these topics are of dispensational significance with implications in soteriology. Dennis Rokser and Daniel Goepfrich conclude this volume with two issues that are relevant to the Christian’s life in the chapters, “The Free Grace Faux Pas: Justification by Grace Followed by Sanctification by Works?” and “Biblical Discipleship: Sanctification in Practice” respectively. Finally, the ISBH doctrinal statement is included as an appendix.
As we submit this volume, our prayer is that it will help readers to better understand the word of God, for our theology only has value if it aligns with what the Bible already says. May God alone receive the glory.
Paul Miles
The International Society for Biblical Hermeneutics
Kyiv, Ukraine
March 2021