A Valid Defense Part 4 - Conclusion

Welcome to Part 4 of my review of Lou Martuneac’s In Defense of the Gospel: Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation - Revised & Expanded Edition (IDOTG). This will be the conclusion of the series, however I’m under no delusion that this will conclude discussion and argumentation. If you haven't read Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3 yet please check them out before you proceed.

As he moves toward the close of the book Martuneac asks “Is it the Christian’s duty to fight for the faith?” In answering this question he once again begins by simply quoting Scripture. Jude 3 in the KJV says:

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

It’s a pretty straightforward answer. Even still, this verse gets cited in in praise of anyone who preaches any particular view of Scripture that there is. People claim they are defending the faith when they are in fact simply defending their views. This brings us back to the purpose of IDOTG which is to give biblical answers to Lordship Salvation(LS). Over the last few weeks I’ve been reviewing Martuneac’s arguments against the various LS claims. No major LS claim was left undefeated, and the reader of this book is well prepared to answer any minor claim that may not have been directly answered in the book. How? Well the answer is both simple, and complicated. Read the Scriptures is the simple answer, understand what the LS proponent is actually claiming is the more complicated answer.

Martuneac devotes an entire chapter to contending for the faith, because “contending” it’s hard! The stakes are high, both for the Church and for the unsaved masses. As much as we would all love to sit on the side lines and let God sort this whole controversy out, we Saints in Christ are God’s agents in this world. We’ve been given very clear instruction in the Scriptures on how to contend for the faith, and it is simply our job to follow what we read therein.

The next chapter is a “heart to heart” with Pastors and other Christian leaders. The weight of these kinds of controversies often fall on the shoulders of such men. How these men stand in the faith, or crumble under the weight of peer pressure will to a great extent determine how the members of their assemblies fair. Over 19 pages Martuneac pleads with Pastors to stand up and protect those they are responsible to shepherd.

In the last chapter of the book, entitled “A Final Word” Martuneac offers some help for those who have read the book and are now questioning the LS view of the Gospel. Instead of declaring victory he says in part:

It is my hope and prayer that if you are having reservations about Lordship Salvation, if you are having doubts about what you have been exposed to, you will take it before the Lord and search the Scriptures once again.

Further down the same page he offers:

Admitting you were wrong on a particular doctrine s one of the hardest things for a believer to do. It takes a high measure of belt-tightening and swallowing of pride to make an admission like that, but it is a sign of great character. it shows a teachable, humble spirit, and demonstrates your loyalty to the Scripture. Christians who genuinely love and care for you will rally to your side and appreciate your candor and humility.

On the last page of the last chapter several questions are put before the reader, and left to bare on the reader’s conscience in light of all they have read.

• Is God satisfied with the finished work of Jesus Christ?
• Is God satisfied with His Son’s propitiation for the sins of the whole world?
• Is God satisfied with Christ’s atoning work?

How did you, the reader of this blog article, answer these questions as you read them? Did you answer any less surely than Scripture does? Scripture declares without exception YES! FULLY! ABSOLUTELY!

Martuneac then asks in light of the axiomatic answers to those questions:

...why is John MacArthur’s Lordship “salvation [only] for those who are willing to forsake everything?” Why must the lost come to Christ for salvation with a “wholehearted commitment” to bear the cross, “full-scale self-denial” and “even [the] willingness to die for His sake if necessary?” Since Jesus paid it all why does Lordship Salvation condition eternal life on faith plus commitment of life and the lifelong performance of that commitment?

In closing the book Martuneac explains the motivations behind his work:

What I have written is In Defense of the Gospel! I am unashamedly against the interpretation of the gospel commonly known as “Lordship Salvation.” There are many areas where on must balance soul liberty and Christian charity and agree to respect different views. The gospel, however, is not an area in which we can agree to disagree. The doctrine of Lordship Salvation and the efforts of Lordship advocates must be vigorously debated, and biblically resisted. May God protect unsuspecting believers and the lost from the egregious errors of Lordship Salvation.

After the book is finished there are 46 pages of Appendixes, of which some are helpful to build on the arguments of the book and others are exploration of the implications of what the book teaches. Some are written by Martuneac and others by other prominent teachers. The titles are; What About Calvinism, Does Regeneration Precede Faith?, Summary of Lordship Salvation From a Single Page, The Relationship Between God’s Grace and Lordship Legalism, The “No Lordship” Counter-Claim, A Review of Walter J. Chantry’s Today’s Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic, Unless the Lord Jesus is Lord of All He is Not Lord at All, and Does “Final Salvation” Serve as a Cover for Works-Salvation?

In Defense of the Gospel has helped me realize that I am not holding to obscure views. The glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ by which we are saved by grace through faith apart from works is in fact the same Gospel that was preached by all the Apostles, 1Cor 15:11, and which was delivered to the Apostles by Jesus Christ Himself Gal 1:11-12. Ever since the days of the Apostles men and women have been preaching this same Gospel. It is not a weak Gospel, or a strong Gospel it is THE Gospel; the terms of which need not be changed to satisfy our fleshy desires to appease religious inclinations.

Walking in this truth has not been without personal cost. Many of my dearest friends walk in the error of LS theology. If I were to preach obedience unto Salvation there would be no offense to these friends who are part of “Conservative Evangelicalism.” Instead they would be pleased. I don’t preach obedience unto salvation, but the obedience of faith, of believing that God is propitiated by the Cross-work of Jesus Christ on mine and your behalf. I think of Gal 5:7-15 for my preaching liberty is despised.

What has In Defense of the Gospel meant to, and done for, me? Such is summed up in the confidence with which I hold and express these thoughts: Salvation is free. Discipleship is impossibly costly. We are justified freely in Christ, having His righteousness not our own. We will be rewarded or suffer loss of reward for what we do here in the flesh, whether good or evil. Those of us who open our mouths, or tap on keyboards even, to teach will be held to a higher account. Those of us who lead the free into bondage would be better off if we were to cut our own selves off. Those of us who preach a false unsaving message of commitment unto salvation to the lost work, with our own hands by the sweat of our own brow, not with the power of God. Rom 1:16

I'm concerned for those who think popularity and much support from people indicate God's blessing. Every Sunday on our way to the Brethren assembly I and my beloved wife attend we drive past a huge Catholic church building. The parking lot is always overflowing. When we leave our service the roads are clogged with cars departing that religious facility. Every Sunday I am reminded that men flock to, and give generously to their own industrious endeavors. Every Sunday I am thankful that those who have believed the Gospel are indeed saved, and indeed freed. They need never worry, for their Salvation is provided for us in Christ. He is our security. He is our assurance. He is our hope. The Spirit of God is our seal. We are safe and need not fear. Such is the power of God unto Salvation.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, as declared by the Apostles is found in 1Cor 15:1-11

 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

In Defense of the Gospel is endorsed by many well known, consistent, godly and fruitful preachers and teachers. While I am neither well known nor worthy to add my name to the list; I do so anyway. In Defense of the Gospel is a work that is worthy of your time and consideration no matter where you stand on the battlefield enflamed with the Lordship Salvation controversy.  It will not end the struggles between the parties holding various views on the Gospel, but it will greatly help any who have an honest desire to obey the Scriptures instead of theology.

For more about the author, Lou Martuneac and In Defense of the Gospel please visit his blog.

A Valid Defense Part 3

Welcome to Part 3 of my 4 part review of Rev Lou Martuneac’s In Defense of the Gospel: Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation. Revised & Expanded Edition. If you haven’t read the first two parts, please check out Part 1 here, and Part 2 here before you continue. So far I’ve covered the introduction to the book, and some of the arguments. In this part I’m going to breeze through the rest of the main arguments set forth by Martuneac against Lordship Salvation(LS) without revealing more than I have to. 

Part 4 will discuss how Martuneac suggests readers can apply what they’ve read. I’ll also discuss how this book has affected my walk and faith. 

We left off last time talking about the question of whether there can be a Christian who is carnal. Now we’ll pick up with at the very next chapter. 

What Is Biblical Repentance? 

At this chapter Martuneac really kicks the book into high gear and digs into one of the most often debated topics with regard to the Gospel. He writes;

“In the Lordship Salvation controversy the doctrine of repentance probably draws more attention, scrutiny and debate than any other doctrine in the debate. Men on both sides of the Lordship debate agree that repentance has a role in salvation. They disagree on the exact role and definition of repentance, but agree that repentance is involved int he salvation experience.” 

He goes on to state that Zane Hodges and the Grace Evangelical Society(GES) are notable exceptions to this agreement, and then shows how the GES has departed from it’s previous fidelity with the Scriptures, and so have muted their voice in the discussion. 

Martuneac discusses what repentance cannot be based on the Scriptures and then breaks down the Greek behind the word repentance. Transliterated, the Greek word is metanoia. Most clearly the word repentance means to change your mind, or have an afterthought (after consideration to change your mind), and this is explained well in this chapter. However, Martuneac doesn’t stop there even though he would have satisfied the requirement for a Biblical definition of repentance even if he did. 

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 

Continuing the discussion about the definition of repentance Martuneac quotes John MacArthur on the passage 1Thess 1:9; 

“As metanoia is used in the New Testament, it always speaks of a change of purpose, and specifically a turning from sin. In the sense Jesus used it, repentance calls for a repudiation of the old life and a turning to God for salvation. Such a change of purpose is what Paul had in mind when he described the repentance of the Thessalonians: ‘You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Note the three elements of repentance: turning to God, a turning from evil and the intent to serve God. No change of mind can be called true repentance if it does not include all three elements. The simple but all too often overlooked fact is that a true change of mind will necessarily result in a change of behavior.

Repentance is not merely shame or sorrow over sin, although genuine repentance always involves an element of remorse. It is a redirection of the human will, a purposeful decision to forsake all unrighteousness and pursue righteousness instead.”

and then

“What is the gospel, after all, but a call to repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)? In other words, it demands that sinners make a change-- stop going one way and turn around to go the other (1Thess 1:9).” 

I don’t want to give away the home run that gets hit in this chapter. But the very first thing about these quotes of MacArthur that Martuneac brings up is:

“Those quotes represent Lordship’s classic misuse of 1Thess 1:9. MacArthur starts by addressing the Greek word metanoia as it is used in the New Testament, and then quotes a verse that does not even contain the word metanoia. The Greek word for “to turn” is completely different; it is epistrepho and means simply ‘to turn, turn to or toward.’ Epistrepho does not mean ‘to repent.’” 

I would so much love to write the rest of this portion of the book, because frankly, it really does hit a home run. The purpose of these articles is to introduce readers to the work and give them some idea of what it offers. So, I’ll leave this section by stating that Matuneac explicitly details how 1Thess 1:9 impeaches LS theologians who quote it in support of their fallacious doctrine. He does this using what he calls the “Inspired Commentary” which is the Word of God. 

The exploration of biblical repentance takes the reader to many high profile passages, but before I move on to the next topic here is a quote of Martuneac hitting a note of clarity for the reader that ought to resound throughout the Lordship Salvation controversy debate:

“There must be a balance in our theology when we come to repentance and faith. The sinner who turns in repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) is born again. Faith without a corresponding understanding or emphasis on repentance can lead to Zane Hodge’s reductionist Crossless interpretation of the gospel. Repentance without a corresponding understanding of the true nature of faith can lead to John MacArthur’s Lordship Salvation. Tendencies to emphasize one side of the repentance/faith theological coin more than the other will lead to an out of balance view of the gospel and consequently to the corresponding extremes.” 

What Is Biblical Saving Faith? 

After exploring why LS proponents focus on the “kind” of faith a person has instead of the object of a person’s faith Martuneac turns his attention to asking this question: Is Lordship’s “Saving Faith” a barter system? He quotes John MacArthur: 

“Thus in a sense we pay the ultimate price for salvation when our sinful self is nailed to a cross... It is an exchange of all that we are for all that Christ is. And it denotes implicit obedience, full surrender to the lordship of Christ. Nothing less can qualify as saving faith.” 

Martuneac states flat out that MacArthur, and LS as a whole, does preach a barter system for salvation. Of course he expects LS proponents to cry “Misrepresentation!” and claim that he’s built a “straw man” to argue against. In response to these expected reactions Martuneac writes:

“The straw man argument is a logical fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent’s position. To set up a straw man or set a straw-man argument is to create a position that is easy to refute, and then attribute that position to the opponent. The call for upfront promises to stop sinning, for ‘obedience’ and ‘full surrender’ in ‘exchange’ for salvation is found in Dr. MacArthur’s Lordship books and online sources. Lordship’s exchange/barter system does not need to be artificially attributed to Dr. MacArthur because it is his position. There is, therefore no straw man! Claiming ‘straw man’ does nothing to negate the clear, incontrovertible evidence of Lordship Salvation’s barter system.” 

These strong words are well supported in this chapter by quoting LS proponents and comparing what they say to the Word of God. Contrasting the LS quotes, Martuneac offers some words from J. Gresham Machen, of which here is a portion;

“The true reason why faith is given such an exclusive place by the New Testament, so far as the attainment of salvation is concerned, over against love and over against everything else in man ... is that faith means receiving something, not doing something or even being something. To say, therefore, that our faith saves us means that we do not save ourselves even in the slightest measure, but that God saves us.” 

The Rich Young Ruler

The encounter between the Lord and the Rich Young Ruler as we read in Matthew, Mark and Luke is often used by LS proponents. I think this part of IDOTG is strong, and you can read a much shortened version of his argument at the author’s blog.   The argument is expanded and presented over 17 pages in the book. 

ROMANS CHAPTER 10 

After deep discussion of all the favorite proof-texts for LS theology (many more than I have covered in this review) Martuneac finally comes to Romans chapter 10. Here’s how he opens this all important chapter of IDOTG. 

“Romans 10:9 is a favorite of the Lordship advocates in support of their evangelistic message of commitment and surrender in exchange for salvation. This chapter is dedicated to a careful examination of and commentary on this important verse. Key words from the verse will be studied and compared. The purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate that Romans 10:9 does not support the Lordship Salvation interpretation of the gospel.” 

The chapter asks and answers several questions; 

What is confession and what are we to confess? and How does the Bible define “believe”? 

In answering these he discusses the Greek word homologeo, and the confessions that were accepted as indications of belief or saving faith in the Bible. 

In explaining the LS view Martuneac quotes MacArthur referring to Acts 2:12; 2:36; 16:31; and Rom 10:9-10;

“All of these passages include indisputably the lordship of Christ as part of the gospel to be believed for salvation... it is clear that people who come to Christ for salvation must do so in obedience to Him, that is, with a willingness to surrender to Him as Lord.” 

And quotes Kenneth L. Gentry; 

“To ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ’ involves more than knowledge, assent and trust (reliance). True, one must know about God’s provision, he must assent to the truth of the gospel and he must rely on Christ to save him. But to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ means more than to believe that he is Lord and more than to rely on Him to give eternal life. It also means to receive Christ as one’s own Lord, the ruler of one’s own life.” 

These quotes, and others, are then compared to the examples of conversions in the Scriptures to see if they match or not. 

Another question asked is; In the context of Romans 10:9 - what is the meaning of the word, “Lord”? Several pages are dedicated to answering this question clearly, and biblically.  

The last major question asked about Romans 10 is this; What do notable men say about Romans 10:9? To which Martuneac offers quotes from Vine, Dr. A.T. Robertson, H. A. Ironside, F.F. Bruce, H.C.G. Moule, Everett F. Harrison, J. Greshem Machen, Warren W. Wiersbe - ending with a bolded quote from Robert Lightener which reads in part;

“Nowhere in Scripture is making Jesus lord of one’s life a requirement to receive salvation from the Savior.” 

ACTS 16:30-31 

The last major argument given in IDOTG before the Appendixes is in regard to the famous, but not nearly famous enough, answer to the question “What must I do to be saved?” that a jailer once asked the Apostle Paul. The chapter is short, but it hits the mark squarely by showing the Biblical order of Salvation and Discipleship. 

As I stated before, there is much more in IDOTG that I haven’t even touched on. In the next part (which will be the conclusion) of this review I will discuss Martuneac’s call to action in the closing chapters, the helpful Appendixes and finally how this work has affected my own walk for the last number of years. 


Check out the conclusion in Part 4 here.

A Valid Defense Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of my review of Rev Lou Martuneac’s revised and expanded edition of In Defense of the Gospel (IDOTG). If you haven’t read Part 1, please check it out before you continue. 

Having spent the better part of 3 years evaluating Martuneac’s views based on the first edition of IDOTG, and now examining his latest edition I’ve come to believe the work is worthy of my full recommendation. This review will continue to be more of an overview and introduction to his work, than a public evaluation. I hope it will inspire many to pick the book up and read it. I am confident it will be a blessing to every heart that hears what it says.

The first edition was a huge blessing to me at a time when I was vulnerable to accepting teachings simply because of the teacher’s reputation. Before I read IDOTG in 2008 I actually believed Lordship Salvation (LS) proponents must have had something more up their sleeves that I just hadn’t discovered yet. Many of these LS men are very intelligent and have an appearance of godliness. I believed this meant they must have known something that I didn’t. I had read, watched and listened to their teachings extensively and yet just couldn’t see why they came to the conclusions they did. Even still they were so popular, so well known, so well respected that they must have been at least partially correct. Right? What Martuneac did for me with IDOTG and what is all the more available for you in this new edition is freedom to evaluate a teaching against Scripture alone.

IDOTG is dispassionate with regard to the people who preach LS. It simply quotes many (if not all) of the most well known, most well respected LS teachers extensively and in context in order to compare what they teach to the Scriptures. The never ending cry from LS proponents is “Misrepresentation!!” but Martuneac gives LS proponents an uncompromised voice in his work. He does not silence any portion of their arguments, and answers what they are actually teaching with Scripture, not emotion or philosophy.  This is what makes IDOTG such a great tool to have in your theological woodshed, and what makes it such a godly gift to any Christian who is exploring the controversy, or has had Lordship Salvation taught to them by those who are most probably well-meaning Brethren.

The picture on the right here shows the corners of pages folded over in my copy of IDOTG at spots where I have found the most valuable points being made. Surely it’s obvious to anyone looking at this picture that I can’t cover that many points, and what should be obvious also is that there is much more in the book than even I have marked.  I do not know if Martuneac intends on publishing a third edition of this work, there doesn’t seem to be much need for it as the argument is well made in this edition, but if he does I hope he will include an index of arguments or perhaps a chart that could help the book be used as a quick reference.

Before Martuneac begins specific arguments he offers a helpful chapter about how to recognize LS teachers, and how to properly approach them with grace. Many LS teachers hide the fullness of their theology behind orthodox sounding phrases, but there is almost always something that will stick out.

The Bibliography of works cited in this 310 page book is nearly 4 full pages long alone, this should give the reader of this review an idea of the scope of IDOTG. Out of all that is covered in the book here are some of the arguments that I found most interesting and helpful. 

Does Regeneration Precede Faith?

Martuneac choose this heavy topic as his starting point noting that the LS definitions of faith & repentance cannot be exercised by an unregenerate person. What should be noted for those who are less familiar is that “regeneration” is merely a more technical term for being “born again.” John Piper is quoted;

“The native hardness of our hearts makes us unwilling and unable to turn from sin and trust the Savior. therefore conversion involves a miracle of new birth. Thus new birth precedes and enables faith and repentance...And so when we hear the gospel we will never respond positively unless God performs the miracle of regeneration. Repentance and faith are our work. But we will not repent and believe unless God does his work to overcome our hard and rebellious hearts. This divine work is called regeneration... New birth comes first and enables the repentance and faith of conversion.” 

This opening argument is foundational and so I’m sure this is why Martuneac tackled it first. However, in comparison to his other arguments his writing is weakest on this point. Choosing to write on refuting Lordship Salvation directly, he offers readers an excellent and complete argument against regeneration prior to faith in an Appendix written by Pastor George Zeller. So, in this chapter Martuneac spends his efforts in explaining the opposing view, and why this particular topic is so important and then takes full advantage of Zeller’s excellent work to shut down the false doctrine.

Next up, Martuneac discusses the differences between Salvation and Discipleship in the Scriptures. He notes that LS proponents will often tell a person to whom they are witnessing to “count the cost.” While many LS proponents use the language of a “gift” they talk of a costly salvation. A salvation that demands a price from the sinner. Here is part of a quote that Martuneac offers from Pastor Steve Lawson.  

“If you want to receive this gift it will cost you the total commitment of all that you are to the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many here who think they are saved, but are not; they have never really done business with God.” 

 And on the same subject from Dr. John MacArthur; 

“That is the kind of response the Lord Jesus called for: wholehearted commitment. A desire for him at any cost. Unconditional surrender. A full exchange of self for the Savior. It is the only response that will open the gates of the kingdom. Seen through the eyes of this world, it is as high a price as anyone can pay. But from a kingdom perspective, it is really no sacrifice at all.”  

Martuneac discusses the incongruence between these statements and compares the unified teaching of LS theology to the Scriptures. In the fight between LS theology and the Scriptures, can you guess which wins?

Can there be a Christian who is carnal? 

LS proponents would have you believe that modern preachers have come up with the idea of “Carnal Christians” to explain away the terrible behavior of many people who claim to believe in Christ. They tell us that this “new” idea is foreign to the Scriptures, is completely in violation of the Gospel that Jesus preached, and they say it is actually a symptom of decades of preaching “Easy Believism.” 

On page 101, which makes me think of all entry level courses such as Christianity 101, Martuneac starts a new chapter by doing what every God fearing Christian should do when faced with a question. He quotes Scripture to answer the question. 1Cor 3:1-4 Just like how he opened his the book by quoting the Gospel that Paul received directly from Christ and that all the Apostles preached and how that should end the debate over what the Gospel is... Martuneac now quotes the passage of Scripture that ought to end the debate about IF a Christian can be “carnal" or not.  

The rest of the chapter is dedicated to how the Bible and LS proponents deal with the implications of carnality. Martuneac quotes Dr. John MacArthur both saying that a Believer cannot have two natures because salvation brings about a radical change so that “The old man has ceased to exist.” and also how Romans 7 is “obviously a poignant account of a person’s inner conflict with himself, one part of him pulling one direction and another part pulling in the opposite. The conflict is real and it is intense.”  These incompatible quotes of John MacArthur are from the same book. 

After an intense rebuttal of the anti-biblical teaching that Believers do not still have their old natures along with the new nature of Christ, we come to page 121. This page number also sparks in my mind, though I doubt it was any more intentional than the chapter starting on page 101. On this page Martuneac offers. 

“Evidence of a changed life ought to be seen, to some degree, in the life of any genuinely born again man. There should be genuine evidence of regeneration and a new life born of the Spirit of God. I do not make room for and I do not stand for the loose living of professing believers. The sad reality, however, is that we will always have carnal Christians in our churches. These need to be counseled, prayed for and guided to live a life that is a shining testimony of the grace of God in their lives. The Christian will struggle with sin as he learns to ‘lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.’ Heb 12:1” 

Hebrews 12:1, on page 121. Coincidences like this aren't really important, but they make me smile nonetheless. :)

I had intended on covering the book in 3 parts, but it is clear now that I will have to do so in 4. In Part 3, I will cover Martuneac’s discussions of the doctrine of Repentance, the nature of “saving faith” and many of the hotly debated passages of Scripture that get brought out every time LS theology is on the table. Some of these are, of course; 1Thess 1:9-10,  Acts 2,  Acts 16, Acts 20:21, Mat 19:16-22 and Rom 10:9.   

Check out Part 3 here.

Upcoming Book Review

Update: Here's Part 1 of the review

On Monday I will begin a multi-part review of the revised and expanded edition of Rev Lou Martuneac's In Defense of the Gospel: Biblical Answers to Lordship Salvation. I read the first edition back in June of 2008. Right about the same time as the latest revision of John MacArthur's The Gospel According to Jesus came out.

In the span of at least three articles I will examine and introduce the book to you. Does Martuneac present a valid defense? Does he do violence to the character of Lordship Salvation proponents in ad hominem style attacks? Does he distort the Lordship Salvation view of the Gospel in order to make it easier to argue against? Does Martuneac water down the Gospel to the point that it's not even worth defending?

There is no other doctrine of higher importance to the World than that of the Gospel. I personally don't care about the Gospel according to John MacArthur or Lou Martuneac. What I care about is the Gospel according to Scripture. At this blog I've explored MacArthur's offering at length, and over the next three weeks I'll explore Martuneac's. Together we're going to see if Martuneac's offering is a help or a hinderance to those seeking truth.