Considering Salvation, Part III
John Webster, Ph.D.
Dean, H.M.S. Richards Divinity School, &
Professor of Theology & History of Christianity
La Sierra University
Useful to Distinguish between:
Faith
Existential
experience
--- Doctrine
Guarding
boundaries
--- Theology
Putting pieces
together

‘Classic’ or Dramatic Model



‘Latin’ or Objective Model



Early Church Fathers: Irenaeus, Origin, Augustine
So-called “Ransom Theory”
Anselm (11th Century)
So-called “Satisfaction Theory”
‘Love’ or Subjective Model


Abelard (12th Century)
So-called “Moral Influence Theory”
Fundamental Beliefs # 10 --- Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin
for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of God. Led
by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness,
repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and
Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation
comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God's
grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons and
daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we
are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God's
law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.
Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have the
assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John
3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22;
Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13,
14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12;
Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)

‘Classic’ or Dramatic Model



‘Latin’ or Objective Model



Early Church Fathers: Irenaeus, Origin, Augustine
So-called “Ransom Theory”
Anselm (11th Century)
So-called “Satisfaction Theory”
‘Love’ or Subjective Model


Abelard (12th Century)
So-called “Moral Influence Theory”
Fundamental Beliefs # 10 --- Experience of Salvation:
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no sin, to
be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the righteousness of
God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our
sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as
Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith which
receives salvation comes through the divine power of the Word and
is the gift of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as
God's sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin.
Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit
renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we are
given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we become
partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance of salvation
now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7;
Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke
17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:1417; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:2527; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)
Fundamental Beliefs # 9 --- Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering,
death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement
for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may
have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the
infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement
vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of
His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our
forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory,
reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims
God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the
atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares
the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and
on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 2022; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10;
Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
Fundamental Beliefs # 8 --- Great Controversy:
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between
Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His
sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven
when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in selfexaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a
portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this
world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted
in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of
the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the
worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became
the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will
ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy,
Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect,
and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14;
Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter
3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
Other Fundamental Beliefs
#4 Son . . . He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins
and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in
the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. . .
# 5 Spirit . . . He draws and convicts human beings; and those who
respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. . .
#7 Man . . . But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by
His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. . .
#11 Growing . . . By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the
forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His
earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their
ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces . . .
#24 Sanctuary . . . There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle
which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our behalf,
making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice
offered once for all on the cross . . .
Adventism is a highly homogenous religious community,
despite its global diversity. Yet, substantively speaking, it
has at least four rather different forms or kinds of theology
vying for recognition as “True Adventism”. Each of these
different forms or ‘models’ has its own understanding of
salvation. While there are, of course, common themes, the
‘logic’ of each model is quite different. The best way to get
at this is to ask “What is the Christian Gospel—the Good
News – that we are to share with the World?”

Grace --- Forgiveness
 Righteousness by Faith=Justification by his faithfulness
 Penal Substitution (Latin—Objective); Jesus’ Death
 Lutheran (Evangelical Protestant) View

Power --- Overcoming
 Righteousness by Faith=Living righteously by faith
 Moral Influence (Love – Subjective); Jesus’ Example
 Schleiermacher’s (Liberal Protestant) version!

Liberation --- Justice
 Path of the Just=Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly
 Moral Influence (Love – Subjective); Jesus’ Actions
 Liberation Theology (Ecumenical Protestant) version

Truth --- Church
 Remnant Church = Teaches God’s Truths
 [Gnostic] (part satisfaction, part subjective, part dramatic)
 Catholic View (Outside the Church, there is no Salvation)!

“Historic Adventism”





Cross
Evangelical-Protestant views
Grace-oriented attitude
“Progressive Adventism” Kingdom



Sectarian-Conservative views
Fundamentalist attitude
“Evangelical Adventism”

Law
Ecumenical-Mainline views
Open-Liberal attitude
“Mission Adventism”


Institutional-Orthodox views
Traditional-Hierarchical attitude
Baptisms
STRENGTHS












 aintains Uniqueness & Identity of SDA
M
Upholds the Law
Places value on Historical/Traditional Adventism
Highly ‘Rational’ (Common Sense, Logical, GC)
Clear Roles for Faith & Works
Clearly Integrates Christology & Soteriology
Sin is Objectified (know it when we see it)
Goal-oriented---Perfection is our Goal
Seemingly strong support from SOP & Bible
Authority, Certainty, Stability, Clarity
Appeals to conservative, traditional people
Also attractive to technically educated, but non-theological, types
WEAKNESSES











nthropocentric ‘navel gazing’; behaviorism
A
Danger of legalism
Danger of becoming irrelevant in a changing world
Can lead to either discouragement or ‘faking’
Danger of sectarianism, exclusiveness, triumphalism
Little real concern for outreach because focus is on in-reach
Shallow view of Sin (act not state), yet ‘sin saturated’
Logical incoherence: nature of Christ (propensities = sin)
Logical incoherence: soteriology (Christ same as us)
At worst, para-Christian cult; At best, rank semi-pelagianism
A problematic view of God (God uses us for self-vindication)
STRENGTHS










ssurance of Salvation
A
Avoids legalism
Broader and deeper understanding of sin
Role of the law is to point out sin, & lead to Christ
Focus on relationship rather than behavior
Realistic view of remnant/whole relation
Cross-centered. Objective salvation
Strong sense of proclamation/mission
Coherent account of biblical idea of substitution
In line with historic Protestantism
WEAKNESSES












ifficult to see SDA uniqueness
D
Hard to fit in certain traditional Adventist ideas
No real need for 30 years of Christ’s life
If the Cross saves us, what logical role for the resurrection?
Penal substitution framed in medieval times
Christ is but a fire-escape
“Yes, but” on faith and works
Tension between cross and judgment
Still sin centered
Makes little use of alternative metaphors & models
Focus still on private not communal/social
Ecumenical-Liberal
STENGTHS











ationality & relevance of the truth
R
Truth is contextual, historically constituted
Theology in contemporary terms
Tolerance & open-mindedness
Focus on the love of God
Social responsibility
Dynamic, progressive & open to change
Justice, God is just
Christ’s solidarity with us
Optimistic view of humanity
Can lead to high commitment
Ecumenical-Liberal
WEAKNESSES












Also Anthropocentric
Gospel focus can be shifted from Christ to social reality
Hard to fit in certain traditional Adventist ideas
Incarnation (JC) de-emphasized
Difficulty doing justice to biblical language (Blood, etc.)
Christ is teacher, leader but less a savior
Biblical/Christian distinctiveness tends to be lost
Can turn gospel into nothing but a political agenda
Still sin centered (even with social sin)
Danger of cheap grace
Danger of cheap tolerance
Institutional-Catholic
STRENGTHS










implicity, Bible is all sufficient
S
Evangelism, mission, growth orientated
Loyalty to God & church emphasized
High motivation & decision-making
Soul-winning oriented
Practical and pragmatic
Institutionalized as function of church
Focus on numerical (quantitative) growth
High care levels for prospects
At best can be strongly people centered
Institutional-Catholic
WEAKNESESS










Religious ideology rather than Christian gospel

Over-simplistic
Can’t cope well with pluralism & diversity
Burn-out, disappointment, discouragement may result
Narrowness. Winning souls seen in spiritual terms only.
Hermeneutically weak
Hardly theological at all
More “selling” than witnessing or worshipping
Danger of low faith maturity, little personal growth
Not very Biblical, for all the quoting of the Bible.

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph
6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself

Col 1:25-2:3; 4:3; 1 Peter 1:20; 2 Tim 1:9,10; 1 Tim 3:16

A Revolutionary Message


28We
Rom 8:28-39;
know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called
according to his purpose.29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30And
those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and
those whom he justified he also glorified.31What then are we to say about these things? If God
is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of
us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33Who will bring any charge against
God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who
was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35Who will separate
us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are
accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (NRSV) Romans 8:29-39

A Revolutionary Message


16I
Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23;
do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I
pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a
spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the
eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he
has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,
19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe,
according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in
Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in
the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in
the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him
the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him
who fills all in all. (NRSV) Eph. 1:16-23

A Revolutionary Message


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
 14For this
reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from
whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I
pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that
you may be strengthened in your inner being with power
through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18I
pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the
saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to
him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish
abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations,
forever and ever. Amen. (NRSV) Eph. 3:14-21

A Revolutionary Message



Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
A Mystery
Mark 4:11;
11And he said to them, “To you has been given the
secret [mystery] of the kingdom of God, but for
those outside, everything comes in parables; . . .
(NRSV)


A Revolutionary Message



Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
A Mystery



Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1;
“When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not
come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty
words or wisdom.” (NRSV) 1 Cor 2:1
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and
stewards of God’s mysteries.” (NRSV) 1 Cor 4:1

A Revolutionary Message



Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25;
25So that you may not claim to be wiser than you are,
brothers and sisters, I want you to understand this
mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel,
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
(NRSV) Rom 11:25

A Revolutionary Message



Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph
6:19
19Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message
may be given to me to make known with boldness
the mystery of the gospel, . . . (NRSV) Eph 6:19

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity
 Col 1:25-27;
 25I became its
servant according to God’s commission that
was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully
known, 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout
the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his
saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great
among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this
mystery . . . (NRSV) Col 1:25-27

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10;
7But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God
decreed before the ages for our glory. 8None of the rulers of this
age understood this; for if they had, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. 9But, as it is written, “What no eye has
seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God
has prepared for those who love him”— 10these things God has
revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches
everything, even the depths of God. (NRSV) 1 Cor 2: 7-10

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-26
 25Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to
my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept
secret for long ages 26but is now disclosed . . . (NRSV)
Rom 16:25-26


A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself

Col 1:25-2:3; 25I became its servant according to God’s commission that was
given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26the mystery
that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been
revealed to his saints. 27To them God chose to make known how great among
the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in [or
with] you, the hope of glory. 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone
and teaching everyone in all wisdom, . . . so that they may have all the riches
of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is,
Christ himself, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge. (NRSV) Col 1:25-2:3

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself
Col 1:25-2:3; 4:3;
 3At the same time pray for us as well that God will open
to us a door for the word, that we may declare the
mystery of Christ, . . . (NRSV) Col 4:3


A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself
Col 1:25-2:3; 4:3; 1 Peter 1:20;
 20He was destined before the foundation of the world, but
was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. (NRSV)


A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself
 Col 1:25-2:3; 4:3; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 Tim 3:16
 16Without any doubt, the mystery of our
religion is great:
He was revealed in flesh, vindicated in spirit, seen by
angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory. (NRSV) 1 Tim 3:16

A Revolutionary Message



A Mystery


Mark 4:11; 1 Cor 2:1 (NRSV); 4:1; Rom 11:25; Eph 6:19
A Mystery Hid From Eternity


Rom 8:28-39; Eph 1:16-23; Eph 3:14-21
Col 1:25-27; 1 Cor 2:7-10; Rom 16:25-27
A Mystery that is Christ Himself


Col 1:25-2:3; 4:3; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 Tim 3:16; 2 Tim 1:9,10;
9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according
to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our
Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel. (NRSV) 2 Tim 1:9-10

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself



Col 1:15ff;
15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
of all creation; 16for in him all things in heaven and
on earth were created, things visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—
all things have been created through him and for
him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all
things hold together. 18He is the head of the body,
the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead, so that he might come to have first place in
everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was
pleased to dwell, . . . (NRSV) Col 1:15-19

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself



Col 1:15ff; Rom 11:33-36;
33O the depth of the riches and wisdom and
knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his
judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34“For who
has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been
his counselor?” 35“Or who has given a gift to him, to
receive a gift in return?” 36For from him and through
him and to him are all things. To him be the glory
forever. Amen. (NRSV) Rom 11:33-36

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself



Col 1:15ff; Rom 11:33-35; Eph 1:5, 9, 11
5He destined us for adoption as his children through
Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his
will, . . . With all wisdom and insight 9he has made
known to us the mystery of his will, according to his
good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan
for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in
him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11In Christ
we have also obtained an inheritance, having been
destined according to the purpose of him who
accomplishes all things according to his counsel and
will, . . . (NRSV) Eph 1: 5, 8-11

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself



Col 1:15ff; Rom 11:33-35; Eph 1:5, 9, 11
Wisdom of God (Extended Passage)


1 Cor 1:18-2:16
24. . . to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ
[is] the power of God and the wisdom of God. . . 2:1 When I
came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming
the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. 2For I
decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and
him crucified. . . 6Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom,
though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age,
who are doomed to perish. 7But we speak God’s wisdom, secret
and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
(NRSV) 1 Cor 1:24-2:7

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself



Wisdom of God (Extended Passage)


Col 1:15ff; Rom 11:33-35; Eph 1:5, 9, 11
1 Cor 1:18-2:16
Purpose of God (Extended Passage)


Eph 1
4just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world
. . . 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus
Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise
of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the
Beloved. . . With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known
to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to
gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on
earth. (NRSV) Eph 1:4-10

Christ the Goal of Creation Itself





Col 1:15ff; Rom 11:33-35; Eph 1:5, 9, 11
Wisdom of God (Extended Passage) 1 Cor 1:18-2:16
Purpose of God (Extended Passage) Eph 1
Promise of God (”Our Destined Glory”)

Rev 1:6; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:5

6and
made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father . . . 3:21
the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as
I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. . . 5:10
10you have made them to be a kingdom and priests serving our God, and
they will reign on earth.” 20:4-6 4Then I saw thrones, and those seated on
them were given authority to judge. . . and reigned with Christ a thousand
years. . . they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with
him a thousand years. . . 22:5 5And there will be no more night; they need
no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will
reign forever and ever. (NRSV)
21To

The Gospel = Jesus Christ

Not simply as a ‘means to an end’ but as the ‘end/goal’
 Not simply as a solution to the sin problem but as the
expression of God’s good pleasure, and original will.
 Not merely what Jesus did (live, teach, die) but who and
what he was.


Jesus Christ = Emmanuel “God with us”

As ‘God with us’ Jesus was/is a once-for-all ‘Event’ that
involves the triune God (Father, Son, Spirit) and us in the
act of at-one-ment.

As “God with us”, Jesus = The Advent = The

Coming of God =
Self-Revelation of God — God with us
 Salvation from Sin (separation) — God with us
 Adoption, AT-ONE-MENT — God with us


The Goal of “God with us”—At-one-ment—is:
“to bring us to our destined glory” 1 Cor 2:7 (REB)
 “adoption, fellow-heirs with Christ” Rom 8:14-17
 “now children of God, what we shall be, has not yet been
revealed, but we will be like him” 1 John 3:2
 “sharing in the very being of God,” (REB) “partakers of
the divine nature” (KJV) 2 Peter 1:4

“In His [Christ’s] humanity He was a partaker of the divine nature. . . . From all
eternity Christ was united with the Father, and when He took upon Himself human
nature, He was still one with God. He is the link that unites God with humanity. . . It
is because Christ took human nature that men and women become partakers of the
divine nature. He brings life and immortality to light through the gospel. . . Christ was
appointed to the office of Mediator from the creation of God, set up from everlast-ing .
. . Before the world was made, it was arranged that the divinity of Christ
should be enshrouded in humanity. . . . This was not done by going out of Himself to
another, but by taking humanity into Himself. Thus Christ gave to humanity an existence out of Himself. To bring humanity into Christ, to bring the fallen race into oneness with divinity, is the work of redemption. Christ took human nature that men
might be one with Him as He is one with the Father, that God may love man as He
loves His only-begotten Son, that men may be partakers of the divine nature, and be
complete in Him. The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only-begotten Son of
God, binds the human agent, body, soul, and spirit, to the perfect, divine-human
nature of Christ. . . . Finite man is united to the manhood of Christ. Through faith
human nature is assimilated with Christ's nature. We are made one with God in
Christ.”
1 SM 226,8; 250-1

Could help us understand doctrine better


Gospel = Advent = Jesus Christ = God with us
Could help us with the diversity of metaphors
and models of salvation

Salvation is Jesus Christ; the rest are attempts at
looking at different facets
 Historic Adventists---Power, Classic Cosmic Drama
 Evangelical Adventists---Grace, Substitution, Objective
 Progressive Adventists---Liberation, Love, Moral Infl.
 Mission Adventists---Truth, New identity, Subjective

‘Adventist’ (God with us) Model of At-one-ment
Representative Model
Doctrines:
From beads on a chain . . . To facets of a jewel
28 Fundamental Beliefs

The Doctrine of God
•
•
•
•
•

The Doctrine of Man
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
The Holy Scriptures
The Trinity
The Father
The Son
The Holy Spirit

The Doctrine of Salvation
The Great Controversy
The Life, Death, and Resurrection of
Christ
• The Experience of Salvation
• Growing in Christ [New]
•
•

The Doctrine of the Church
•
•
The Church
The Remnant and Its Mission
The Doctrine of Christian Life
•
•
•
•
•
Creation
The Nature of Man

Unity in the Body Of Christ
Baptism
The Lord's Supper
Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
The Gift of Prophecy
The Law of God
The Sabbath
Stewardship
Christian Behavior
Marriage and the Family
The Doctrine of Last Things
•
•
•
•
•
Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly
Sanctuary
The Second Coming of Christ
Death and Resurrection
The Millennium and the End of Sin
The New Earth
Facets of the ‘Advent of God’
God
Man
Creation
Last Things
Advent
‘God with us’
Jesus
Salvation
Church
Christian Life