Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 17
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Transcript of Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 17
8/14/2019 Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 17
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/geisler-vol-3-chaps-17 1/12
TH 513 Systematic Theology IIDr. Mark Hardgrove, Instructor
8/14/2019 Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 17
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Geisler, Norman Vol. 3Geisler, Norman Vol. 3
Systematic Theology IISystematic Theology IIChapter SeventeenChapter Seventeen
““The Content of The Content of Salvation”Salvation”
pp. 524-553pp. 524-553
8/14/2019 Geisler Vol 3 Chaps 17
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The Content of Salvation
In this chapter Geisler wrestles with the thorny of issue of what a person must believe (the content of his faith) in order to be saved.
Though differences between denominations maybe subtle or stark, the question of content isimportant in terms of establishing what we mustbelieve in order to be saved, and thereby
acknowledge one another as “brothers” and“sisters” in the body of Christ.
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Distinctions
Geisler makes distinctions between different aspects of believing and of faith:
The Object of faith vs. the Basis of faith
The Object of faith vs. the Content of faith
The Conditions for Obtaining a Gift vs. Conditions forLosing a Gift
Absolute Conditions vs. Normative Conditions
One-Time Normative Conditions vs. All-Time Normative
Conditions Explicit Necessary Conditions vs. Implicit Necessary
Conditions
Consistent Beliefs vs. Inconsistent Beliefs
Denying vs. Not Believing
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The Difference Between
Absolute and Normative
It is normally but no absolutely necessary to use dry woodin order to build a fire. Similarly, God could will asnormatively necessary what is not absolutely necessary forsomeone to be saved. For example, He could will as a
normative salvific condition that all people believe inChrist’s substituionary death (atonement) on their behalf,even if this particularly belief were not an absolutenecessity for salvation. The present issue is not whether infact Christ needed to die for our sins in order for us to besaved but whether belief in that reality is an absolutelynecessary condition for salvation.
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The Difference BetweenThe Difference BetweenExplicit and ImplicitExplicit and ImplicitNormative ConditionsNormative ConditionsWhat is implicitly necessary for salvation is notalways explicitly so. It would seem that all essentialsalvific (saving) truth itself is necessary for salvationin its comprehensive sense. However, evengranting this (as most evangelicals do) does notmean that a person must explicitly believe everyelement of it in order to receive the gift of everlasting life. It is possible, for example, that a
certain truly saved person never heard about (letalone believed in) Christ’s virgin birth or ascensionat the time he believed the gospel and was saved(cf. Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-6).
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Geisler’s Assessment of
ContentIn the final slide of this presentation is achart (found on pages 544-545 of Geisler,vol. 3), in which Geisler, using the delimitersof absolute, normative, explicit and implicit,indicates what he believes is essential forsalvation.
AbsolutelyAbsolutely refers to what is nor isn’t an
absolute necessity for belief today to besaved; that is, whether God could or couldn’tsave someone unless he or she believed it.
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Geisler’s Assessment of
ContentNormativelyNormatively refers to whethersomething is mandated by God but isnot absolutely necessary; that is,
whether the belief is required by Godfor His own reasons, not becausesalvation wouldn’t be possible withoutthat specific belief.
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Geisler’s Assessment of
ContentExplicitlyExplicitly refers to whether a person mustovertly believe in a specific truth in order toreceive salvation.
ImplicitlyImplicitly refers to whether or not a certaintruth, while not an explicit part of the belief content necessary for salvation today, isimplied in another truth in which belief is
explicitly necessary for salvation today.
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Geisler’s Assessment of
ContentFamiliarize yourself with the charton the next slide. Ask yourself if you agree with Geisler’s assessment
and why you agree or disagree.
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What Is Necessary to Believe to BeWhat Is Necessary to Believe to BeSaved?Saved?
AbsolutelyAbsolutely NormativelNormativelyy
ExplicitlyExplicitly ImplicitlyImplicitlyOnlyOnly
1. Human Depravity No Yes No Yes
2. Christ’s Virgin Birth No Yes No Yes
3. Christ’s Sinlessness No Yes No Yes
4. Christ’s Humanity No Yes No Yes
5. Christ’s Deity Yes Yes Yes No
6. God’s Unity Yes Yes Yes No
7. The Trinity No Yes No Yes
8. The Necessity of Grace Yes Yes Yes No
9. The Necessity of Faith Yes Yes Yes No
10. Christ’s Atoning Death No Yes Yes No
11. Christ’s Bodily Resurrection No Yes Yes No
12. Christ’s Bodily Ascension No No No No
13. Christ’s Present Session No No No No
14. Christ’s Bodily SecondComing
No No No No
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Reminders
Know when your final paper is due andprep for the final exam.