John MacArthur on Emerging Church & Soteriology (Salvation)

[James Nored]

One of the big correctives that postmodernism has to modernism on salvation has to do with salvation. Moderism sought to dissect everything to its smallest parts, in part so that they can be reproduced quickly and efficiently. This modern impulse was applied to salvation, resulting in salvation being boiled down to a simple transaction--accept Christ so that you can go to heaven. Nothing about salvation having any application to this life. Nothing about discipleship and a way of life. And the result is nominal Christians who care very little about the problems of this world.

Salvation is spoken of as a part, present, and future event in Scripture, and it is initimately tied to discipleship. However, in this clip, John MacArthur reacts strongly to Brian McLaren's objection that the only reason why Jesus came was so that we could go to heaven.

What do you think of McLaren's statement and MacArthur's response?

[James Nored]

Garth, right on. Jesus did came to seek and save the lost--and this salvation is both present and future. We are saved at the end, yes, but also saved for our present lifetime. Saved from a life of meaninglessness. Of debauchery. Of emptiness. Of selfishness.

It is amazing to me that anyone would, as you say, be arguing against helping people in the name of the Lord.

Sadly, however, I've head church leaders say that we ought not be helping people with food. This is where pointing back to the life of Jesus and the example he showed us is so important.