A Valid Defense Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 of my review of Lou Martuneac’s In Defense of the Gospel (IDOTG). For the sake of disclosure; the author has been a friend of mine for 3 or 4 years now. I have all the same been ruthless in my examination of his work and found it worthy of recommendation. So, this review will not be so much of an evaluation as it will be an introduction and overview. It is a very rare thing for me to recommend a book to an individual, let alone introduce one to everyone who reads this blog.

In Defense of the Gospel: Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation Revised and Expanded Edition is a conversational level, yet a complete and biblically accurate, response to the Lordship Salvation controversy which has engulfed Christendom. This controversy splits churches, cripples ministries, and grips many of the weaker Brethren with fear and loathing. IDOTG is written to and helpful for everyone touched by the controversy. Whether you hold to Lordship Salvation or not, IDOTG will accurately inform you of what both sides are actually saying. It’s easy to argue against a straw man, but Martuneac burns all the straw men on both sides of this controversy. One of the most anticipated additions to this revised and expanded edition is the brief but clear rebuttal of the much lauded “Easy Believism.” Martuneac rebukes the preaching of this theology, and explains why Lordship Salvation proponents are only too glad to accuse any who argue against their position of preaching it. In short, Martuneac gives a valid defense of the Gospel according to Scripture.

When I read the first edition of Martuneac’s IDOTG, which was published in 2006, I was struck with a feeling of shock that such a work was not more widely known. As I revisit his work in this new edition my passion is again enflamed to get the word out! To the point that I have a great desire to retype the whole book here so that you’ll read it. No matter how familiar you are with the topic, IDOTG is not to be missed.

In his foreword to IDOTG Dr Chris Shepler, Pastor of Victory Bible Baptist Church writes “What is the Gospel? and What must one do to be saved? are two questions that every born again believer in our churches should be able to answer doctrinally from the Scripture without hesitation.” Pastor Shepler’s point hits home, the stakes are very high, even the very salvation of those we witness to as Christians. Rev Martuneac puts it this way in his “A Note From The Author” when he writes “This is not a question of a weak gospel verses a strong gospel, but of the one true gospel standing apart from all other false gospels.” He follows closely with “All witnesses for Christ desire true conversions. In my zeal to secure more genuine conversions, however, I do not have the liberty to alter the terms of the gospel.”

As Martuneac continues to give preamble to the book he makes one point absolutely clear. “...the Lordship Salvation controversy primarily revolves around the requirements for salvation, NOT the results of salvation.”

While this work is written for the most part at the conversational level the scholarship and dedication to integrity is at a level far beyond what one might expect in an age of response books which seem more designed to make money than actually correct error. The first edition was written while the Rev was a missionary in South Africa, and for that edition and this new one he received assistance from the likes of Dr. Robert Lightner, Dr. Charlie Bing, Pastor Kevin Brosnan and Pastor Tom Stegall. Dr. John C. Whitcomb also provided much needed encouragement. Rev Martuneac himself has been a missionary, Vice President of the Calvary Baptist Theological College for 3 years, and taught at Pensacola Christian College for five years.

With regard to integrity, Martuneac explains the controversy is not about, or with any personality involved. In explaining the book to his readers he writes under the heading “Letting Them Speak for Themselves” about how the universal response to any criticism of Lordship Salvation is an accusation of misrepresentation. In an effort to avoid even the appearance of misrepresentation Martuneac quotes those who hold the opposing view almost too liberally.

Having given forewords, and an explanation of why he produced this work Rev Martuneac opens his work properly with a chapter called “Introduction” and by quoting that which is of first importance; the Gospel of Jesus Christ recorded in 1Cor 15:1-4. Stating the obvious, Martuneac comments on this passage which ought to end the controversy with “This is the gospel message which the Corinthians received from the Apostle Paul.” But such a simplistic, yet true, argument would not be enough to persuade those who claim that this is not the Gospel that saves. More importantly though, this simple argument could not protect the millions who have fallen pray, and the many millions more who are likely to also fall prey to the fallacious Lordship Salvation interpretation of the Gospel.

Lordship Salvation proponents claim that any Gospel that has had submission to the Lordship of Christ “removed from it” is a new and false gospel that is foreign to the Scriptures. They claim to trace their gospel back to the New Testament by interpreting such passages as Luke 9:23; 14:26-27 & 33 as evangelistic appeals meant for the unsaved.

The introduction of the book ends with this strong claim “The message is the same: salvation is not by works or the resolve to perform works, but by faith. Any message of faith plus works, real or promised, is wrong and condemned by the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as by the Apostle Paul.”

The stage has been set for a great argument. In the next installments of this review I will touch on some of the arguments that Martuneac engages with IDOTG and we’ll see if he can truly overcome the Lordship Salvation proponent’s claims of fidelity with the Scriptures. One thing is clear about the book and it’s author by the end of the introduction. Neither is shy about the fight, and neither is going to go quietly into the night.

Check out Part 2 here.