This particular post is born out of the comments from convo #4 on the essentials for salvation. I think we, along with all Christians would agree that 'salvation' is by faith alone in Christ alone, how that salvation is obtained, or what the 'process' of salvation is will be debated for some time. The question for this convo is this:
What is the nature of salvation? What is its purpose? How does it play out? What difference does it make?
Tough question, let's hash it out.
I'll offer the first comment as well:
ReplyDeleteI think one thing that is critical to understanding the nature of salvation is to understand its three tenses and not get hung up on giving salvation a singular definition.
First we must see the past tense of salvation. Because of Jesus death on the cross we have forgiveness of sins committed. We are saved (past tense) from the penalty of sin. We call this justification.
Next we must see the present tense of salvation. Because of the perfect life which Christ lived, and His nature imputed to us, we are being saved (present tense) from the power of sin. We call this sanctification.
Finally we must see the future tense of salvation. Because of the resurrection of Christ we are resurrected with Him to life eternal. Ultimately we will be saved (future tense) from the very presence of sin. We call this glorification.
Again, all three tenses of salvation are founded entirely in the working of Christ and are entirely of grace, and it is absolutely essential that we would not neglect one tense of salvation in preference to another. If you are justified you indeed are being sanctified and you will be glorified. Salvation is three fold.
The other aspect of salvation which Dennis mention is that it is not an individualistic thing. We know that God is immutable (He does not change) and we know that He dealt with Israel, not merely as individuals but as the covenant community of His promise. Christ shed His blood bringing forth the New Covenant which has called both Jew and Gentile into covenant relationship with Him *and each other*. The call to salvation goes out to individuals, and it is individuals who are saved, but they are saved into a covenant that includes all who are saved into Christ. In other words you are saved as an individual but saved into a greater body. This is part of the reason I disagree completely with the notion that you can do Christianity solo, or on some internet community without ever engaging in the local church setting. This is also why I have a tendency to believe denominations are a good thing, and that the individual independent non-denominational church misses the boat. Salvation is not an individual thing, nor is it the joining to a small community, or even a large church, but it is salvation into the very body of Christ in this world. The connection of denominational structure, though vastly flawed in all denominations, still retains the connectional aspect of the faith that is critical for understanding who we are in Christ.
I would say sloganing that affirms "we are not your grandma's church" or any type of advertising or posturing that affirms that you are a different church than the rest of those inferior churches is an arrogant smack in the face to the very body of Christ. if you are saved, and your grandma is saved, then you are in your grandma's church. Neglect of communal salvation has caused a whole lot of nonsense to occur in the name of Christ.
Ahhh.... so that was a rant. Oh well, I'll post it anyway.