Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 151:604 (Oct 1994)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 151:604 (Oct 94) p. 486

Book Reviews

The Reign of the Servant Kings: A Study of Eternal Security and the Final Significance of Man. By Joseph C. Dillow. 2d ed. Hayesville, NC: Schoettle Publishing Co., 1993. 649 pp. Paper, $19.95.

Many Christians are confused because some biblical passages seem to teach that believers are eternally secure while others seem to suggest that security depends on one’s works. Calvinists believe that believers are eternally secure whereas Arminians believe that security depends on persevering faithfully in the faith. This is the problem this book seeks to address. Dillow’s contention is that both Calvinists and Arminians have misunderstood key revelations in Scripture.

Arminians have failed to believe the promises that God will keep His own secure until they reach heaven. They have incorrectly applied to justification the passages that urge the maintenance of good works, concluding that if a believer does not continue to follow God faithfully he will lose his salvation. This is essentially a failure to appreciate the grace of God. Dillow seeks to show that the passages urging perseverance are appeals to Christians to keep following God faithfully, but the consequence of not doing so is loss of reward at the judgment seat of Christ rather than loss of salvation. In other words these passages deal with sanctification rather than justification.

Calvinists have likewise failed to appreciate the grace of God, according to Dillow. Whereas the Reformers were correct in concluding that the Bible teaches that people are saved by faith rather than works, the Reformation leaders did not go far enough. When attacked by Roman Catholics for being antinomian in saying that works are not necessary for salvation, the Reformers overreacted by saying that Christians will inevitably persevere in faith and good works. If a person does not do so, that individual never truly believed in Jesus Christ.

Roman Catholic theology frontloads the gospel with works by making them a requirement for justification. Arminian and Calvinistic theologies both backload the gospel with works by making continuance in good works a requirement for justification. Dillow has sought to steer a course between Arminianism and Calvinism by clarifying that justification involves no works but sanctification does require works.

BSac 151:604 (Oct 94) p. 487

A standard Calvinistic approach to passages that seem to condition salvation on good works, such as the warning passages in Hebrews, is to say they refer to unbelievers. The “brethren” in view must be false brethren, professing Christians rather than genuine believers, since a true Christian would never depart from the faith. Dillow, however, insists that the distinction i...