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Submitted: Jul 23 2012 06:21 PM
Last Updated: Jun 16 2025 11:47 AM
File Size: 518K
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Author: Benjamin B. Warfield
e-Sword Version: 9.x - 10.x
Suggest New Tag:: Warfield, Benjamin Salvation reformed e-sword 9.X, 10X wlue777

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Author:
Benjamin B. Warfield

e-Sword Version:
9.x - 10.x

Suggest New Tag::
Warfield, Benjamin Salvation reformed e-sword 9.X, 10X wlue777

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield (November 5, 1851 – February 16, 1921) was professor of theology at Princeton Seminary from 1887 to 1921. Some conservative Presbyterians^[1] consider him to be the last of the great Princeton theologians before the split in 1929 that formed Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Different Approaches to Salvation:
Excerpt:

God from creation itself, it is therefore said, deals with men as conceived as divided into two classes, the recipients respectively of His undeserved favour and of His well-merited reprobation.

Synopsis

"Different Approaches to Salvation" by Benjamin B. Warfield offers a comprehensive examination of various theological perspectives on the doctrine of salvation, highlighting the nuances and implications of each approach within Christian theology. Warfield, a prominent Reformed theologian, aims to clarify the distinctions among these perspectives and defend the biblical truth of salvation by grace through faith.

The treatise begins by emphasizing the centrality of salvation in Christian doctrine, asserting that understanding how salvation is obtained and applied is crucial for the faith and life of believers. Warfield explores classical positions, including the Calvinist, Arminian, and Wesleyan approaches, among others, providing a detailed analysis of their theological foundations.

Calvinism: Warfield advocates for the Calvinist view, which emphasizes divine sovereignty in salvation. According to this approach, salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, prevenient and irresistible, meaning that God's electing love guarantees the final salvation of those whom He chooses. Warfield underscores that, for Calvinists, human free will is subordinate to divine sovereignty, and salvation is not based on human merit but solely on God's grace. He highlights the biblical support for this view, citing texts that emphasize God's predestination and election, and defends it against common objections.

Arminianism: Contrasting with Calvinism, Warfield examines the Arminian approach, which affirms human free will and the possibility of resisting God's grace. In this view, salvation is offered to all, and individuals have the capacity to accept or reject it. Warfield critically analyzes the Arminian understanding of prevenient grace—grace that enables humans to respond freely to God's call—and discusses its implications for human responsibility. He notes that while Arminianism emphasizes the universality of the offer of salvation, it faces challenges in maintaining the sovereignty of God and the security of salvation for believers.

Wesleyan Theology: Building upon Arminian principles, Wesleyan theology emphasizes entire sanctification and the possibility of Christian perfection. Warfield discusses how Wesleyan thought interprets salvation as a process involving initial faith, subsequent growth, and perfect love. He examines the strengths and weaknesses of this approach, especially regarding the assurance of salvation and the role of human effort.

Beyond these main streams, Warfield considers other approaches such as Pelagianism, which denies original depravity and asserts that humans can achieve salvation through their own efforts, and semi-Pelagianism, which occupies a middle ground. He condemns these views as contrary to biblical teaching, emphasizing the necessity of divine grace.

Throughout the work, Warfield stresses the importance of biblical authority and clarity on salvation. He advocates for a Reformed understanding that salvation is entirely rooted in God's gracious election and work on behalf of sinners, emphasizing that human beings are saved solely by grace through faith, not by any merit or effort.

In conclusion, Warfield's "Different Approaches to Salvation" serves as a rigorous apologetic and theological survey, affirming the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith as the only adequate and truthful approach. He calls believers and theologians alike to hold firmly to the biblical witness and to reject distortions that diminish God's sovereignty or human responsibility.