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Christianity Today, March, 2007 |

Jesus and the Sinner’s Prayer

What Jesus says doesn’t match what we usually say.

David P. Gushee | posted 3/06/2007 08:31AM

Is it permissible to reopen the question of salvation? If we do, how will Jesus' teachings stand up to our inherited traditions?

These questions came to me acutely not long ago. I was getting ready ...

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Anonymous

Posted: March 21, 2007 12:00 AM


I'm so confused about religions, it is so hard for a teenager to live a Christian life when there are so many adults that have their own opinion about things.

Russ McCullough

Posted: March 19, 2007 11:02 PM

I hope and pray that this article, especially in this forum, is the beginning of a journey back to the Bible. One is hard pressed to find any kind of "sinner's prayer" before the time of Charles Finney (early to mid 1800's). The "sinner's prayer" is based upon a misapplication of both Romans 10:9 and 10 as well as Revelation 3:19 and 20. BOTH passages are, in both text and context, addressed to and referring to persons who are already Christians! NEITHER passage has anything to do with the alien sinner. We are indeed saved by grace and NOT of works (Eph. 2:8 and 9). Grace is applied in baptism which is NOT a work of man but IS a work of God (Col. 2:12) upon one's belief in Christ which is also a work of God (John 6:25 - 29). We must call on God for salvation. Calling on God for salvation is synonomous with baptism where we meet the saving power of the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16). May God through Christ grant many to go to the Word to "see whether these things are so!

phillyfanatic@juno.com

Posted: March 19, 2007 1:58 PM

This is an important point to be made in our Seminaries as well as our churches. I pray that G's 4 steps will be published in many denominational media outlets. The drive to easy believism undermines the works of Paul, Augustine, Edwards, Nouwen, and others who want Christians to meditate, pray, and do the hard work of thinking, writing, acting out their faith so a real impact can be made on society. Wilburforce was such an example as was Calvin's and Luther's attempts to transform their society. Machen would be proud of this article and might even have wanted to match his works with the need for social justice in our world and nation. Liberals will not like this article because it still asks for a belief alone in Jesus as the Savior and Creator.

Melody Derksen

Posted: March 19, 2007 9:53 AM

The truth is that Salvation is simple. We must believe in What the Bible tell us. The romans road is a good group of verses to show a lost person the truth about salvation. These verses are:Rom3:10As it is written ther is none righteous no not one.Rom3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.Rom6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Rom5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Rom10:9-10,13That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. These verses speak of REPENTANCE and faith. Jesus words to the rich man were to show him that he was not righteous. Sadly he did not want to repent.

telta

Posted: March 17, 2007 8:17 PM

Do you think that Jesus would suffer so very much to pay the penalty for our sins on the Cross so that we may have eternal life...and then turn around & say, "It's not easy believism...unbeliever, you must suffer along with me, too, to inherit eternal life???" No, Christ was our substitute so we would not have to suffer for our sins to be saved...When the demons believe & tremble, it's because they recognize & know that they must be subject to Him who is GOD...but they tremble when in turn they do not accept Him as GOD!!! Just like the demons who were commanded by Jesus to come out of the man who was bound with demons to enter the swine, drowning them in the sea!!! The demons screamed because they knew God was in charge, yet they were not believers by far...You have to rightly divide the WORD to come to divine conclusions...Believing in Jesus Christ is the criteria. "You must be born again!" It is so simple that you stumble over it. Faith saves, not faithfulness!!! That comes later.

Pat O

Posted: March 16, 2007 10:08 AM

This article is so apt. In recent discussions with some mature christians, I find that many believe that just because a person is saved and God is merciful, they therefore can willfully disobey God and still have His cover, if only they ask and believe. They make those who try to back-up their faith with actions look like religious bigots. The Bible says that 'works without faith is dead', it also says that 'faith without works is dead'. Your faith will always manifest in your actions and attitudes. Hey, if anyone sees an out-of-control truck heading in their direction, and believed the truck was out-of-control, they'd certainly JUMP, out of the way. So it beats me why many of us have chosen to believe that believing in Christ does not require affirmative action.

christina archer

Posted: March 16, 2007 9:32 AM


This is the first article I've read that speaks of salvation as a process. It doesn't seem to be an easy/onceonly/decision/choice that we can make. I have found this to be a struggle. Christ is with me at all times; I do not behave in a way or ways that give Him the honour.

Matthew Moris

Posted: March 16, 2007 9:17 AM


Believing is only the first step. One must continue their walk with the Lord. I have been seeking Truth by reading the bible. In this I have stregthened my faith and the Holy Spirit burns hot within me. But this fire doesn't burn forever, I must keep seeking Truth and reading the bible.

Nibb	Posted: March 16, 2007 2:51 AM

Leanne, the article does not suggest that 'salvation comes in stages'. Once you have recignised your sinful nature,repented and believed in Christ you are utterly SAVED, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The article suggests moreover, that at this point in time many are temped to put the brakes on and stop a journey before its even begun. Once saved, dont stop, dont stop learning and growing in your new found relationship with God. He was work to put you to, and you need to learn.

Light Pilgrim

Posted: March 15, 2007 6:06 PM

One of things about language is that one can only say one thing at a time. So there has probably never been a sermon preached by mortal man that did not leave some important truth un-said, at least for the moment. Doulos is certainly right that the Bible teaches salvation by grace through faith and not of works. However, it also teaches that genuine faith - the only kind that will save one - always results in a changed life and in a life that lives for Jesus. That is what the apsostle James is getting at in James 2:14-24. Whereas Paul contrasts faith and works, James contrasts false faith with saving faith and he concludes that saving faith always bears fruit. Evangelicals often leave out all the things Jesus said about denying self, or what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV) "and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." We just need to find the balance that scripture has. Blessings to all.

Andrea

Posted: March 15, 2007 12:26 PM


Another good book to read is Brennan Manning's "The Signature of Jesus."

TJCherry

Posted: March 14, 2007 10:13 PM

Ah, how easy it is to jump from the depths of what "believe" means to the shallowness of a list of outward performing activities that should surely define who a believer is. Love is so all encompassing and embracing going beyond the religious stipulations that we can so eaily get caught up in to ensure that we all look the part of being a "believer". For all those who don't look the part, maybe the process is slower and longer, and the "religious" desire to hurry the process for those slower ones by entrapping them in the "steps" to salvation or wrapping them in the packaging that has all the appearance of what a "believer " should be. If we can emphasize and exemplify the love of God toward us, and believe and receive that love, maybe then we can love as Jesus does???

Sabrena Gant

Posted: March 14, 2007 7:19 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if Gushee is eventually asked to stop representing the Baptist church. "Easy believism" is very popular today and he is speaking against it at his own risk. While it is true our Savior's yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt 11:30), He describes it as such because He is our strength and peace through our walk, tribulations, and persecutions. I've been pondering and praying about this different type of gospel that says "just believe" and I've come to the conclusion that in the Church's will-intended attempt to get far away from a works salvation, they've ran too far to the other extreme. A work salvation was not of the Gospel but so isn't "just believe". The work salvation message did away with justification and the "Just believe" doctrine does away with sanctification. In both instances, the Gospel of Christ is perverted and this is no light charge. Perverted gospels cannot save. I hope Gushee, as a leader, plan to take this message forward.

Paul	Posted: March 14, 2007 12:04 PM

The theif believed with a faith that transformed him - It was a faith that, we assume, would have produced good works. It's not the works that save, but the kind of faith that compells us to work. We are known by our fruits. Even Satan "believes" in God in the sense that we normally speak of it - merely acknowledging Jesus and what he accomplished. The "belief" that Christ asks of us, is one that cannot help but produce good works because it consumes our lives. The Pharisees were chastised not for keeping the Law, but because they neglected the important part of it - the part that called for active love and compassion for all.

Joseph

Posted: March 14, 2007 11:36 AM

The question of concern for anyone who desires to follow Jesus is the very question Gushee asks: "[H]ow will Jesus' teachings stand up to our inherited traditions?" We must have some standard by which we can examine and test ourselves: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Cor. 13:5 ESV). Of course, we need to follow all of Jesus' teachings, which means that we follow the entire New Testament. After all, what Paul wrote was "of the Lord" (1 Cor. 14:37), which is in fulfillment of what Jesus himself said about the work of the Spirit through the apostles, i.e., to guide them into all the truth (John 16:13). So for this one statement about stacking our traditions up against the teaching of Jesus, I think it was worth reading the article. These words are an important reminder for all who claim to follow Jesus.

Pete	Posted: March 14, 2007 10:45 AM

This shouldn't be a radical idea. Belief is a starting point. If at that point I am saved, according to Jesus answer in these passages, that alone is insufficient to save me over the course of my life. Why did Jesus answer this question by talking of loving neighbor and sacrificing all if that's not really necessary? The thief on the cross was saved because he did what he could in that situation, but if we have opportunity to love neighbor, live morally, and sacrifice all for Christ and don't do so can we really claim salvation based on a prayer 20 years earlier? Perhaps there's a difference between obtaining and retaining salvation? It is God's grace obtained at that initial point of salvation that empowers me "to live a life worthy of the calling we have recieved" (Eph 4:1), not my personal ability or greatness.

Jason

Posted: March 14, 2007 10:00 AM

Encouraging article! I am glad that many Protestants are starting to have difficulties with their incomplete formulations of salvation and are coming around to the more biblical, true and Catholic way of looking at salvation as more comprehensive than they previosuly thought. Here is what Catholics have been saying all along..."the fire will test the quality of each mans work. If what he has built survives he will receive his reward. If it is burned up he will suffer loss, he himself will be saved but only as one passing through the flames." 1 Cor. 14-15."We should advise the faithful that they would endanger the salvation of their souls if they acted on the false assurance that faith alone is sufficient for salvation of they need not perform good works in order to be saved." St. Augustine, Faith and Works 14.21. "Justification is not only the remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man." Council of Trent 1547.

Dale	Posted: March 14, 2007 8:16 AM


Even the demons believe -- and tremble! James 2:19

Chris Stinnett

Posted: March 14, 2007 8:11 AM

Gushee makes a cogent observation: the call to pray a prayer in order to be saved by Jesus is nowhere found in Scripture after His crucifixion and resurrection. In every case, people are called to action on the basis of their faith--repentance notably, and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. The heresy of a "sinner's prayer" response is uniquely American and is entirely outside the historical orthodoxy of Christ's church. Salvation is entirely by grace, through the blood of Jesus, but the response to His offer of grace is clearly delineated in the conversion accounts in Acts. All the remaining NT books are written to people who have already fulfilled that response, so the writers can appeal to their experience in demanding better ethics, improved faithfulness, etc. It will be interesting to see where this discussion goes from here!

Matthew M.

Posted: March 14, 2007 7:55 AM

Wow! Talk about hard to swallow. I am glad that I have a solid foundation for my own faith or this article could really shake me. Salvation by faith alone is taught by Jesus and all of His disciples throughout the New Testament. Saying that we are then measured at different points along our walk to see if we are saved is contrary to that teaching. I do believe that those who are saved will seek to live out the teacings of Christ, to love God with their all and to love their neighbors, but that is not what saves them. We are saved by grace alone and all that we do from that point should be done out of our love for Jesus, because of the unmerited grace that He sacrificed His life for. All our works are "as filthy rags" in comparison and diminish the work of Christ if we rely on them to save us.

M. D. Culver

Posted: March 13, 2007 9:38 PM

I have always struggled with a theology that states "Only believe." It strikes me that the one who truly believes that Jesus is the Son of God and that His blood saves is none other than satan. To "believe" is a beginning and to raise our hand at the "altar call" stating we believe places us in the company of the enemy and his followers. I need more. How about the rest of the Gospel? Enough of proof texting. Let's hear the whole of the good news and follow the "faith once delivered" rather than reinventing to satisfy "itching ears" or politically correct positions.

SO SAD

Posted: March 13, 2007 7:22 PM

My heart broke when I read this article. Jesus makes it very clear the only way to get to Heaven is through Him!!!! As I read through the comments it made me so sad to think of all the people who would read this article and believe that they will never be good enough to be loved by God. What was written in this acticle is not biblical. God loves us and forgives us for our sin. Remember God knows every mistake we will ever make there is nothing we can do that will surprise Him or disappoint Him because He is all knowing. We do good works because we love the Lord NOT to be loved by the Lord.

David D

Posted: March 13, 2007 6:35 PM

Thank you for taking my comment. I like this article. It challenges me to live out those commands even when I don't feel like it. However, you mentioned nothing of repentance. The bible says God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Without repentance there is no salvation and as long as a sinner believes he is a good person, he will not come to Christ for the right reason. Paul said "I had not known sin, but by the law." "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ." Biblical gospel was always Law to the Proud, Grace to the humble. Why do 80-90% of those making a decision for Christ fall away from the faith? What is the principle that Spurgeon, Wesley, Whitefield, etc., used to reach the lost? Why have the Church neglected it? To get the full picture, please go to http://www.wayofthemaster.com/audiolessons.shtml, and download (for free) Hell's Best Kept Secret, and true and false conversion. Thank you.

Ray Downen

Posted: March 13, 2007 6:24 PM

The article would have been even better if the author had pointed readers to the day Christ's church began (Acts 2) and the inspired answer given by the apostle Peter to sinners seeking salvation. Peter obviously was aware that the new birth Jesus said was essential for entering His kingdom included both repentance and baptism in water as the Lord had commanded. But the apostle said nothing about prayer as being a way to enter the kingdom. Why do some today give incomplete and misleading information to seeking sinners?

Marty McPheron

Posted: March 13, 2007 3:14 PM

I have come to believe that we keep missing what our Lord Jesus was saying to this man. This man had always been able to meet all of his needs and now was asking what did he need to do to have eternal life. What Jesus did was make the man come to grips with the fact that it is impossible to do anything to achieve eternal life. but what is impossible with man is possible with God. In other word "there is nothing you can do, you are going to have to trust Jesus to do it for you." This man missed not because he was unwilling to give all his riches away, and went away sorrowful, but just because "he went away." If he would have been willing to look beyond his own attempts and looked to Jesus and simply admitted, "I can't do what you are asking. Can you not please be merciful to me a sinner -one who is unable to meet your standard." I am fully convinced we would see him in heaven someday. I know that Jesus and His grace is my only hope.

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