"Jesus - The Only Way to God" by John Piper (Part II)

This tiny, little book has been sitting in my "finished it" pile for a while now and I have been waking up in the middle of the night thinking "I need to write about part two of that".  I really should be doing other things today but it's raining outside, which always helps me procrastinate!!


So, I summarized what Dr. Piper had to say about Question #1 (Will anyone experience eternal conscious torment under God's wrath?) and Question #2 (Is the work of Christ necessary for salvation?) in my post in March.  Now we tackle the last, and most prominent, of the three questions - is conscious faith in Jesus necessary for salvation?  This is the crux of Christianity as a whole and I feel like just mentioning the main points does the topic an injustice but I don't want to rewrite the entire latter half of the book!!  Apologies in advance for the holes I may create in choosing the points that had the most impact for me.  


Part one of Dr. Piper's answer to the question is "The Mystery of Christ and the Times of Ignorance".  Many people ask if it is possible for someone who is a devout follower of another religion to receive salvation by the God they see through nature.  "So great was the significance of [the Son of God coming into the world] that the focus of saving faith was, from that time on, made to center on Jesus Christ alone.  So fully does Christ sum up all the revelation of God and all the hopes of God's people that it would henceforth be a dishonor to him should saving faith repose on anyone but him" (p. 63).  He says "the gospel is not the revelation that the nations already belong to God.  The gospel is the instrument for bringing the nations into this equal status of salvation" (p. 65).  Dr. Piper then goes into an in-depth examination of Romans 16:25-27, explaining why the message of salvation was not meant to be spread to the nations before the incarnation of Christ.  "God means for his Son to be the center of worship as the nations receive the word of reconciliation.  For this reason...the preaching of Christ is the means appointed by God for the ingathering of the nations" (p. 66) .  Next he discusses the "times of ignorance" mentioned in Acts 17:30 and explains that "one cannot truly esteem what one knows nothing about" (p. 70).  There are also some questions in regard to God "overlooking" these times of ignorance but Dr. Piper states clearly and emphatically that "men on their own, by their own wisdom (religion!), will never truly know God.  An extraordinary, special work of God would be required to bring people to a true and saving knowledge of God, namely, the preaching of Christ crucified" (p. 73).  For those who feel that it may be 'unfair' for God to let nations walk in their own ways, Dr. Piper says "There is a divine wisdom in the timing of God's deliverances from darkness.  We should humble ourselves to see it, rather than presume to know better how God should deal with a rebellious world" (p. 75).  So, with the coming of Christ it changed the focus of saving faith and put Jesus at the center of all God's work in salvation.  "Apart from a knowledge of him, none who has the ability to know will be saved" (p. 77).  


Part two of the answer to this most important of questions focuses on "The Case of Cornelius".  Acts 10 tells Cornelius' story and some theologians have wondered if he was saved before Peter preached Christ to him.  John Piper believes that he was not.  He uses Acts 10:43 as a defense of this and states "devoutness and works of righteousness and religious sincerity do not solve the problem of sin.  The only hope is to believe on Jesus" (p. 83).  The question is also raised about what is meant when the Bible says that God finds some people "acceptable" (Acts 10:35).  The answer given is "the meaning probably lies somewhere between [God-fearing people who do good and people who are acceptable candidates for evangelism] - between being saved and being a touch-able, loveable human candidate for evangelism" (p. 87).  "So the fear of God that is acceptable to God in verse 35 is a true sense that there is a holy God, that we have to meet him some day as desperate sinners, that we cannot save ourselves and need to know God's way of salvation, and that we pray for it day and night and seek to act on the light we have" (p. 89).  "Therefore, Cornelius does not represent persons who are saved without hearing and believing the gospel; rather, he illustrates God's intention to take out a people for his name from "every nation" through the sending of gospel messengers across cultural boundaries which had once been taboo" (p. 90).  


Part three is the argument that there is "No Other Name under Heaven".  Acts 4:12 is presented as a crucial text in answering whether those who have never heard of Jesus can be saved.  "The point of saying, "There is no other name," is that we are saved by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus.  Calling on his name is our entrance into fellowship with God.  If one is saved by Jesus incognito, one does not speak of being saved by his name" (p. 94). Dr. Piper then goes into a wonderful exposition of Romans 9:30-10:21, explaining how "Jesus is the goal and climax of Old Testament teaching, and therefore Jesus now stands as Mediator between man and Yahweh as the object of saving faith" (p. 97).  The questions of Romans 10:14-15 are addressed and explained and shown to support the concept that there cannot be salvation without hearing the gospel of Jesus first.  In summation of this part of the question, Dr. Piper says "But when Christ came, all faith narrowed in its focus to him alone as the One who purchased and guaranteed all the hopes of the people of God.  From the time of Christ onward, God wills to honor Christ by making him the sole focus of saving faith.  Therefore, people must call upon him and believe in him and hear him and be sent messengers with 'the Word of Christ'" (p. 105).  


The final point of the major question is "The Missionary Task as Seen by Paul and John".  Here he discusses the ministries of Paul and John.  "A new day has come with Jesus, the Christ.  The people of God are being rebuilt in such a way that they will no longer fail in their task of reaching the nations.  In this new day, God will not suffer his people to neglect their mission indefinitely; he will no longer allow the nations to go their own way.  He is establishing a church, 'that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord.'  And he will now gather in all those among the nations who are called by his name!  It is his new work! All those who are predestined will  be called (Rom. 8:30).  All those who are foreordained to eternal life will believe (Acts 13:48).  All those who are ransomed will be gathered from every people under heaven (Rev. 5:9).  God himself is the chief agent in this new movement, and he will take out a people for his name among the nations (Acts 15:14)" (p. 112).  Warning: this chapter might make you want to be one of those privileged believers who are 'sent out' to preach the Gospel!!  


In conclusion, Dr. John Piper states "I have written this little book to convince our minds and strengthen our hearts to do the loving thing, namely, to spread to all peoples the good news of God's work in Jesus to rescue sinners (1 Tim. 1:15; Luke 5:32; Mark 10:45) and someday renew the world (Rom. 8:20-23; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1-4)" (p. 118).  So, yes, there is an eternal hell to be rescued from.  Yes, the death and resurrection of Christ is essential for that rescue and yes, people need to hear this good news and believe it in order to be rescued.  Little book, yes, but the biggest, most important truth that any of us can ever know!!  




When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ...To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. - Ephesians 3:4, 8-9


The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. - Acts 17:30-31


To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. - Acts 10:43


And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved  - Acts 4:12


For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" - Romans 10:13-15


The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. - 1 Timothy 1:15

"Now, That's a Good Question!" by R.C. Sproul

I've read a lot of books by R.C. Sproul.  They always challenge my brain a little or a lot, depending on how deep he gets into the Reformed/Calvinist theology.  This book, however, was different.  Unlike many of his other books, I would pass this on to a new believer (a lot of his books I wouldn't do that because unless that person is a really intense 'student' it could be frustrating and overwhelming) because in it he answers over "300 frequently asked questions about life and faith".  He never strays from his theologically reformed path but he makes it completely 'graspable', for which I'm so very thankful.   

This is a book that absolutely every Christian should have on their shelf for when someone asks that "tough" question and you know that you know the answer but just can't formulate it with your own brain.  Obviously this happens to me a lot!!

Here's just a few highlights of his answers to many, many questions:

How would you define the sovereignty of God?

"...if there is one molecule in this universe running around loose outside the scope or the sphere of God's divine control and authority and power, then that single maverick molecule may be the grain of sand that changes the entire course of human history, that blocks God from keeping the promises he has made to his people...For if there is one maverick molecule, it would mean that God is not sovereign.  If God is not sovereign, then God is not God.  If there is any element of the universe that is outside of his authority, then he no longer is God over all.  In other words, sovereignty belongs to deity.  Sovereignty is a natural attribute to the Creator.  God owns what he makes, and he rules what he owns." (p. 20)

What does the Bible mean when it talks about quenching the Holy Spirit?

"...We are to be, as it were, set aflame with a holy passion for the things of God.  Whatever it is that hinders or stifles our internal cooperation with the indwelling Spirit of God is a kind of quenching of the Spirit...[after the Holy Spirit comes upon us in the initial] moment of being quickened to new life, of regeneration, the rest of the Christian life is a cooperative venture between the new person in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside him or her.  The more we cooperate with the Spirit, the more we grow in grace, but we can retard and hinder that growth by doing those things that would put out the fire." (p. 50-1)

When I discuss biblical concept with my friends I'm often met with the reply "That's your interpretation."  How should I respond?

"...Though I have the right to read the Bible for myself and the responsibility to interpret it accurately, nobody ever has the right to interpret the Bible incorrectly.  I believe there is only one correct interpretation of the Bible.  There may be a thousand different applications of one verse, but only one correct interpretation.  My interpretation may not be right and yours may not be right, but if they're different, they can't both be right.  That's relativism taken to its ridiculous extreme.  When someone says, "Well, that's your interpretation," I would respond, "Let's try to get at the objective meaning of the text and beyond our own private prejudices"". (p. 70) 

Is it possible for a Christian to lose his salvation because of sins he commits?

"...I'm persuaded from a study of Scripture that we can have an assurance of our salvation...But the assurance that we have...must be based upon the right foundations...If it were up to my strength to persevere to guarantee my future salvation, then I would have very little hope of persevering...what God begins in our life, he finishes...My confidence for my future salvation rests in my confidence that God will keep his promise and that Christ will intercede for me and preserve me.  Again, if it were left to me, I would obviously fall away.  I like to look at it this way: I'm walking the Christian life with my hand in God's hand.  If my perseverance depended upon my holding tightly to God's hand, I would surely fall away because at some point I would let go.  But I believe that the Scriptures teach us that God is holding my hand, and because he is holding my hand, I don't have to fear that I will fall ultimately and finally...In and of myself I am capable of sinning even unto the loss of my salvation, but I'm persuaded that God in his grace will keep me from that."   (p. 91)

I know that God has forgiven me for my sins, but how can I begin to forgive myself?

"...Let's look at it this way.  If somebody sins against me and that person repents, God forgives them.  If I refuse to forgive them, can you think how ghastly that is in the sight of God?  God is not obligated to forgive that person.  That person has sinned against God, and God has never sinned against anybody.  Here I am - a person who is a sinner refusing to forgive other sinners which God, who is sinless, is willing to forgive.  Have you ever stopped to think about the arrogance that's in me when I refuse to forgive somebody that God has forgiven?  Now, how could you forgive yourself after God has forgiven you?....Doesn't God say that if you confess a sin one time, he'll forgive you?  Who are you to refuse the forgiveness of God, and who are you to condemn one whom God has forgiven?  That's arrogance.  You may not feel arrogant, you may not mean to be arrogant, you may be rolling in humility with all of your confessions.  But I am telling  you that if God has forgiven you, it is your duty to forgive yourself.  It's not an option.  You must forgive those whom God forgives, including yourself" (p.121-2)

Are those who have never heard of Christ going to hell?

"...Nothing is more terrifying of more awful to contemplate than any human being would go to hell...I would say the most important section of Scripture to study with respect to that question is the first chapter of Romans...when Paul introduces the gospel, he beings in the first chapter by declaring that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven and this manifestation of God's anger is directed against a human race that has become ungodly and unrighteous.  So the reason for God's anger is anger against evil.  God's not angry with innocent people; he's angry with guilty people...every human being knows that there is a God and that he is accountable to God.  Yet every human being disobeys God...God never punishes people for rejecting Jesus if they've never heard of Jesus...But again, there are other reasons to go to hell.  To reject God the Father is a very serious thing.  And no one will be able to say on the last day, "I didn't know that you existed," because God has revealed himself plainly.  Now the Bible makes it clear that people desperately need Christ...I think we have to pay serious attention to the passionate command of Christ to go to the whole world, to every living creature, and tell them of Jesus." (p. 238-9)

How can I tell others about Jesus in a manner that is nonthreatening yet convincing?

"...People are extremely sensitive about how they're approached on matters of religion.  Many of us who are so excited about our faith in Christ want to share it with everyone we love, and our intentions are good...But when we do that, so often we come across to these people as saying, in attitude if not in words, "I'm good and you're not."  People are turned off by that and rightly so.  Somebody once said that evangelism, true evangelism, is only this - one beggar, telling another beggar how to find bread.  I recognize that my faith is a result of the grace of God.  And so we must understand that when we're talking to people, we're called to be gracious and kind...many more times people get angry not because they're offended by Christ but because they're offended by our insensitivity toward them as people" (p. 249)

What is the biblical idea of a godly Christian marriage?

"...what God ordains and institutes, he also exercises his sovereignty over within the framework of marriage.  Obviously, a marriage that is to last has to be based upon a kind of mutual trust and fidelity...That's why the Bible takes such a dim view of adultery, for example, because it is the supreme act of infidelity that breaks the trust and breaks the faith upon which the marriage is built...even though it is very unpopular in our day and age...I don't think we can escape the fact that the New Testament gives the responsibility for headship and leadership in the home to the husband.  That responsibility is not a license for tyranny.  It is not a license for domination or for destroying the dignity of the woman, but rather it's a burden.  It's a task where the buck stops with the husband in terms of giving leadership and direction in the home.  But it's still in relationship of mutual love and respect of a vital partnership in the home." (p. 303)


Should Christians impose their ethics upon non-Christians?
"...When we talk about ethical authority, ultimately I would say that the only being in the universe having the intrinsic right impose an obligation on any other being is God himself.  Only God is the Lord of the human conscience...God has at the same time delegated certain authorities who have the right to impose ethical obligations on other people [parents upon their children, government laws upon their constituents]...For Christians who have pet projects unique to Christian enterprises, to use the law and law enforcement to get their way in the public arena may be an exercise in tyranny...I think that Christians ought to be keenly protective of the First Amendment not only for themselves but for everyone out there.  So, I would be very hesitant before imposing uniquely Christian principles upon non-Christians" (p. 402)

Please, have this book on hand in your library.  There are so many great questions that Dr. Sproul answers.   From sensitive issues like women in leadership and abortion to "hmmm" tops like whether Christmas is a pagan ritual or why an "X" is used sometimes when spelling Christian (Xian) or Christmas (Xmas)!!  There's even a section entitled "Puzzling Passages".