More Questions than Answers
From the third video in what is to be a six-part series on Defending the Reformation. The conversation involves Dr. Gavin Ortlund, Dr. Jordan Cooper, and Dr. Michael Horton.
My comment below, as posted at the video:
This conversation would be greatly enhanced if it began with clear definitions: what is meant by justification? What is meant by salvation? Are these synonymous? If they are different, how are they different?
Further, Dr. Ortlund mentioned contrasts right before offering Ephesians 2:8-9. These two verses are often cited by sola gratia apologists, while ignoring verse 10. So, a further answer to the following would enhance this conversation? Why does Paul use “works” negatively (if you will) and “good works” positively in these three verses? Is there a difference? If so, what is it? There is no difference if the definitions of justification and salvation are the same. But what if these definitions are different?
There are numerous quotes from many of the Reformers, including Luther and Calvin, regarding the necessity of good works (not the cause) for salvation. But this cannot be rightly understood if the definitions of salvation and justification are regularly blurred, as they often are in Protestant discussions.
The failures of Protestantism in the modern conversation come down to just these questions in my view: the shallowness of the preaching, teaching, and discussion revolving around these terms and what these mean for how we are called to live – in fact, how we must live if we have salvation in view.
I’ve been down this road. When I was in seminary, we were focused on word studies and the nuances of Koine as described in Dana and Mantey's Manual Grammar (still used but superseded by other grammar textbooks). As a consequence, we looked so hard at justification and sanctification under the microscope that we couldn’t see the overlap, and we never saw “good works” in context. Later, as a candidate for an assistant/associate pastor position, I was left outside the door because I didn’t take a stand against what was then called “lordship salvation”. (God was merciful—although I was qualified, I would have been a terrible pastor.)