The Unescapable Logic that Proves Lordship Salvation and Perseverance Theology = Works Righteousness

by Antonio da Rosa

We always hear Lordship Salvation proponents say that works are not a condition for heaven (actually, there are some who indeed admit it, like John Gerstner and John Piper). They say that works are merely the necessary and inevitable result of saving faith. But in this they qualify what faith is by works! Faith becomes defined by works, thus, for Reformed theology, ipso facto works-righteousness.

Necessary results for which we are responsible are the same as conditions. If works are a necessary result of saving faith and if a man cannot be saved without them (the inevitable works), then the works are, in fact, a condition for salvation.

Faith that has been qualified by works adds works to faith for the enactment and fruition of the intended results: the works becoming indispensible to the result, thus are a very real condition!

Compare two equations based on Reformed theology

Faith ----> Works = Heaven

with:

Faith w/o (or apart from) Works ≠ Heaven

This is obvious works-salvation.

Let us say that a man was getting married to a woman. They love each other and have mutually decided to get married. Let us propose that in their state it is a requirement for marriage to get a blood test. The necessary results of their love and decision to get married is an inevitable trip to the doctor for a blood test. The blood test, viewed in this way, is a necessary result. But viewed in another perspective, it has become a CONDITION for marriage, for they cannot get married without the blood test. It must be, then, both a result AND a condition! The Lordship proponent cannot escape this air-tight logic.

The same goes for works that are the supposed necessary result of faith. Looked on from the Reformed perspective they are the necessary results. But looked on from another persective, the angle of heaven and eternity, which they overlook, they become a condition for heaven, for without the works there is no heaven.

The qualification of faith by works is a huge danger, and poisons the gospel! It is de facto works-righteousness!

One who is neither Reformed nor Free Grace, who nevertheless is symphathetic with both theologies, has suggested that the works are merely "required evidence" (Joe from Joe's Jottings). Yet this leaves them in the same conundrum, no? It begs the question, "Required for what?" It is works required for heaven!

Antonio