A fairly quick question

[John Robie]

Not a set up, nor a back door to an argument/debate.

What is the Lutheran view on the security of the believer? Can salvation be lost/forfeited according to Lutheranism?

Thanks.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Hi John Robie,

Certainly. No only can it be lost, but once lost, through repentance, it can be regained/restored. The prodigal son had the security of his father's home and his inheritance; he turned away from his father and squandered that inheritance; but despite being "lost" he repented.

I hope this helps.

 

[John Robie]

Thanks. I was just wondering if that was the position (although that's not what the parable is about [emoji1]).

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Thanks. I was just wondering if that was the position (although that's not what the parable is about [emoji1]).

Really, what is it about?

 

[John Robie]

Really, what is it about?

It was a admonition to the Pharisees who didn't really care about the people, just themselves. It's really about the elder brother. It's a pretty Jewish parable.

As a point, the son never stopped being the son. That he showed repentance is evident of that, and the father never referred to him as anything but his son.

 

[Tangible]

The Parable of the Sower makes it perfectly clear that those who once believed may reach the point that they no longer believe and fall away from the faith. St Paul warns in several passages of the possibility of falling away from the faith. While apostasy separates one who formerly believed from the fruits of salvation, it is a sin for which repentance is offered, and the promise of salvation given in Baptism is always there awaiting to be claimed through faith for those who cease rejecting the gift of faith given by God through their disbelief.

 

[John Robie]

Thanks. I thought I had read somewhere on a LCMS site that Lutherans were not synergists. It seems that was incorrect information.

No worries. Thanks for your time. B

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

We are monergists , not synergistic, and yes falling away is possible.

 

[John Robie]

We are monergists , not synergistic, and yes falling away is possible.

How is your view different from synergism?

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

Synergists believe that you " cooperate " with God for salvation, we Lutherans are monergists we believe faith is personal but passive trust , not a decision, not cooperation.

 

[John Robie]

Synergists believe that you " cooperate " with God for salvation, we monergists believe faith is personal but passive trust , not a decision, not cooperation.

So how can you lose your salvation?

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

So how can you lose your salvation?

By apostasy.

 

[John Robie]

By apostasy.

How can someone who is monergisticly saved become apostate?

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

How can someone who is monergisticly saved become apostate?

Simple because grace is still resistible even after salvation , so it is possible to lose salvation.

 

[John Robie]

Simple because grace is still resistible even after salvation , so it is possible to lose salvation.

Then that is not monergism.

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

Then that is not monergism.

It is monergism.

 

[John Robie]

Monergism is that all of our salvation was secured by Christ's work on the cross. Regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification, glorification. We contribute nothing.

If one can become apostate, then one must contribute something (obedience?) to remain saved.

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

Monergism is that all of our salvation was secured by Christ's work on the cross. Regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification, glorification. We contribute nothing.

If one can become apostate, then one must contribute something (obedience?) to remain saved.

Nope , you cannot contribute to salvation but grace is resistible because of total depravity , yes we receive salvation without cooperation ( monergism) but you can throw it away because of total depravity .

 

[John Robie]

Nope , you cannot contribute to salvation but grace is resistible because of total depravity , yes we receive salvation without cooperation ( monergism) but you can throw it away because of total depravity .

Then that is not monergism. That's synergism.

 

[Taom Ben Robert]

Look it up we are Monergistic , but it's definition does not imply osas .