The Way of Salvation Part II: What Is Faith? -- By: J. I. Packer

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 129:516 (Oct 1972)
Article: The Way of Salvation Part II: What Is Faith?
Author: J. I. Packer


The Way of Salvation
Part II:
What Is Faith?

James I. Packer

[James I. Packer, Associate Principal, Trinity College, Bristol, England.]

[Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles entitled “The Way of Salvation,” which were the W. H. Griffith Thomas Memorial Lectures given by Dr. James I. Packer at Dallas Theological Seminary on April 11–14, 1972. Scripture passages are translated and/or paraphrased by the author.]

The Necessity of a Biblical Base for Theology

We set out in the previous study from Acts 16:31, Paul’s great words to the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.” We examined the presentation in Scripture of the reality of salvation and we saw what a unique, divine, and glorious work salvation is. We will begin this study with a theological statement of the meaning of salvation based directly on the biblical material at which we looked. I think this statement is necessary, because in these days, as I am sure you know, the major theological wars are all waged at the presuppositional level. The mere use of biblical language to express Christian realities is no longer safe unless it is anchored explicitly in true presuppositions as distinct from false ones. Again and again one finds oneself supposing that one agrees with another theologian because both of you are talking biblical language. Again and again one discovers, sometimes too late, how disastrously different are the ways in which the presuppositions are used. So, I want-to be quite explicit.

Presuppositions of the Doctrine of Salvation

My presuppositions are four: First, I presuppose that God is Creator and that we and all persons and things in this world are

His creatures. This give me straightway my subject-object and my subject-subject distinction, without which I would be shut up to pantheism (as so many divines these days seem to be) and would not be able to state the doctrine of salvation in scriptural terms.

Second, I presuppose that God made man in His own image. This gives me my fundamental idea that life for man in its deepest and richest sense is a personal love-relation between him and his God. The God who made man made him in His own image, so that they might have fellowship.

Third, I presuppose that God addressed and deals with each person individually. This is not in any way cutting across the parallel truth that God deals with communities and groups as well. In many matters He does. But within the community and group the ultimate point of reference of His dealings is always the individual. I am a bit hesi...

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