Why I Chose to Publish This Book
If you have spent much time discussing the doctrine of salvation, you have probably heard the question:
"What can a corpse do?"
The question is intended to be rhetorical. After all, a corpse cannot hear, think, choose, or respond. Therefore, many conclude that a person who is spiritually dead cannot respond to God's revelation unless God first changes and enables that person with the desire and ability to do so.
The Questions That Would Not Leave Me Alone
The title of this book asks one question.
But as I studied Scripture, that one question led to many others.
- Is the intended spiritual application of the question "What can a corpse do?" consistently confirmed throughout Scripture?
- If this single rhetorical question shapes the interpretation of so many passages, shouldn't the question itself first be carefully examined?
- Why did Jesus never ask it?
- Why did the apostles never ask it?
- Does Scripture define spiritual death the way systematic theology often describes it?
- When God speaks to spiritually dead people throughout Scripture, what does the biblical text actually show them doing?
- Is God revealing Himself to people for personal moral responsibility, or merely demonstrating their inability? Can it be both and?
- Should theology shape our reading of Scripture, or should Scripture continually reshape our theology?
Those questions would not leave me alone.
So I followed them.
Not to defend or attack a theological system.
But to test the teachings against Scripture.
To see whether Scripture itself consistently answered them.
That journey became this book.
This Is Not a Book About Winning Arguments
Before you decide whether this book is for you, I think you should know why I wrote it.
I am not a seminary professor. I have never attended Bible college. I make no claim to possess any special authority or credentials. I am simply a Christian who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, loves His Word, and has spent many years studying the word, as a workman that need not be ashamed.
As I listened to discussions about salvation and other doctrines over the years from both perspectives, I noticed that many interpretations and presentations of the text were influenced by a theological viewpoint.
I wanted to do the opposite.
Rather than beginning with a theological system, I wanted to begin with the biblical text itself. As much as I appreciate my bible dictionaries, in-line strongs bible, and other study tools which I read objectively and enjoy. On the most essentials truth’s of Scripture (of which the doctrine of salvation is a part), I really want the bible to interpret itself with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
A Journey Through the Bible
This book is not a study of one chapter or one difficult verse. There are not a lot of deep dive studies into original language definitions, it is an exploration of scripture to test the intended meaning and teaching associated with the question that is the title of the book.
Beginning in Genesis, we simply follow God's interaction with mankind throughout Scripture.
Adam and Eve.
Cain and Abel.
Noah.
Abraham.
Moses.
Indirectly through His prophets
The Gospels.
What does a corpse do when God interacts with them as spiritually dead people? Is that person supernaturally enabled to respond to that interaction or not based on the text?
When God speaks, what happens?
When God calls, what happens?
When God reproofs, what happens?
When God judges, what happens?
When God extends mercy, what happens?
When God shows faithfulness, what happens?
Rather than assuming the answer beforehand, I simply invite you to examine the biblical record.
Theology or Scripture?
Every Christian has a theology whether they realize it or not.
The real question is where our theology comes from.
Should our theology determine how we interpret Scripture?
Or should Scripture continually examine, challenge, and refine our theology?
I believe every Christian should be willing to ask that question honestly.
Teachers have an important place within the body of Christ. I have learned much from many faithful teachers over the years. But every teacher is a human being. Every teacher can make mistakes. That includes me.
For that reason, I believe every believer has both the privilege and the responsibility to test what they hear against the Word of God.
My prayer is that you will do exactly that with this book.
Where This Book Leads
This book reaches a conclusion.
After following the biblical record from Genesis through the New Testament, I conclude that several foundational conclusions of modern Reformed soteriology should be reconsidered in light of Scripture.
Some readers will agree.
Others will disagree.
That is perfectly acceptable.
My desire is to encourage every believer—including myself—to continually measure our theology against the Word of God.
If I have misunderstood Scripture, then I want the Holy Spirit and Scripture to correct me.
If long-held traditions have misunderstood Scripture, then they should also be corrected by the Holy Spirit and Scripture. For the Holy Spirit is given unto us to lead us to the deep truths found in God’s holy word.
The authority belongs to God—not to me, and not to any theological system.
I have often said “God will save you regardless of your theology, simply trust Christ as your Savior and Lord, and the Holy Spirit will baptize you into the body of believers. But after that, the Lord will spend the rest of your life straightening out your theology.” He promised us in John 14 that the Holy Spirit would be our Helper in the truth.
Why I Am Giving This Book Away
I did not write this book for recognition.
I did not write it to sell books.
I wrote it because I believe this discussion matters, and I wanted anyone who is interested to be able to read it without cost.
If you choose to read it, I ask only one thing.
Pray and ask the Lord to help you remove the theological glasses you wear when reading His word, to remove any bias and subjectivity, and convict you of the truth He intended for you to have.
If you finish the book and conclude that I am wrong, I hope you reach that conclusion because the Holy Spirit showed you something in Scripture that I missed.
In either case, I hope you find the book to be thought provoking, and that your faith in our glorious Savior Jesus Christ is strengthened. God is Love, God is Life, and God is Spirit as well as man in the Lord Jesus Christ, and seeks those who will worship Him in Spirit, and in Truth.
May God bless the reading and meditation of His holy word.