Brother Demastus in his recent thread entitled "Garrett Theology" provided us with a quote from Brother Garrett that he sent to the RM-Bible e-mail list. This doctrine of Brother Garrett's is extremely erroneous and is a threat to the cause of Christ our Lord and therefore the salvation of the souls of men. It is deceptive in many ways and therefore deserves a detailed review and examination for the sake of those who might encounter this doctrine in other places. I appreciate Brother Demastus for bringing it to our attention. I have written a response in that thread to this pernicious doctrine but it seems that the interest in this subject has waned. I do not want anyone to think that no one even attempted to deal with this false doctrine therefore I am posting my answer and will post a detailed review of his entire article in my next post. I will begin by quoting again the article written by Brother Garrett. Then I will quote my initial response. I intend in this thread to review in detail his teaching which will require an in-depth exposition and exegesis of several passages that he claims supports his position. He contends that all men "was/are saved" when Christ died on the cross and therefore it is not necessary for them to hear, believe, and obey the gospel to be saved. I intend to show from the scriptures that salvation comes through Christ by faith in Him as demonstrated in our obedience to the gospel. So first I invite you to read Brother Garrett's article in its entirety and my response that follows. Then I will post a detailed, point by point, review of his arguments in a later post. I do this to help those who may be tempted to follow such destructive heresies.

Your Brother in Christ:

E. Lee Saffold

I now quote Brother Garrett's Article in full as given by Brother Demastus taken from the RM-Bible List:

"To my RM-Bible sisters and brothers, greetings!

In response to some concerns expressed on RM-Bible about my essay on Is the Gospel a Quid Pro Quo?, passed along to you by Tom Farr, the following points may serve to clarify my thesis:

1. Certain texts reveal a biblical universalism, i.e. Christ's death on the Cross was for everyone; he saved all people before and after him: Rom. 5:18: As one man's trespass led to the condemnation of all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquital and life for all men. Rom. 11:32: God has assigned all men to disobedience that he might have mercy upon all. 1 Cor. 15:22: As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. Heb. 2:9: So that by the grace of God he might taste of death for every one. 1 Tim. 2:6: Who gave himself a ransom for all.

There are many such texts that make it clear that at the Cross every person was/is saved. Our Lord is not the potential Savior but the Savior, period. John introduced him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So, if we take these Scriptures for what they say, everyone is saved. But there are other passages that make it clear that some will be lost. I therefore conclude that everyone is saved EXCEPT those that the Bible says will be lost, and the Bible makes it clear whose these are: those who "choose not to have God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1:28), those who reject, disbelieve the gospel once they hear it (Mk. 16:16), and persist in this rejection. It is crucial to distinguish between unbelief and disbelief, even if translations do not always make the distinction. The unbeliever (the one who has never heard the gospel through no fault of his own) is never condemned in Scripture, only the disbeliever, the one who knows God's will but refuses to accept it.

All others are saved as the universalist passages indicate. This makes the gospel really the good news that it is. Is the alternative really good news?: Everyone is lost except those who believe and obey. This leaves great masses of humankind, many who have honest and good hearts and doing the best they know how, lost and hell bound.

2. It is consistent with Scripture to conclude that God reaches out to those beyond the gospel or any revealed law. Note some rather amazing instances.

a. In the judgment scene in Mt. 25 there are those who are invited into the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world for serving Christ when they did not even know they were serving him. It was not what they believed but what they did: clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, etc. They do not know Christ but they are saved.

b. In Rom. 2:14-15 there are those who did not have the law who did the things required by the law by means of the law written in their hearts. Paul appears to give them a place apart from those, whether Jews or Greeks, who rejected the law they had.

c. In Acts 10 Cornelius, a Gentile, is referred to as a good and righteous man, full of prayer and good works. If not "saved" he was certainly "safe." When he received further light, the gospel preached by Peter, he accepted it. But he was "righteous" before he was a Christian.

d. Paul says that as Saul the persecutor of the church, he received mercy "because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Tim. 1:13). Not disbelief (he never rejected the light), but unbelief (he was ignorant, beyond his ability at that time to know better; he says in Acts 23:1 that he had always lived before God in all good conscience).

e. All the saints of the OT who lived before Christ and the Cross. They had faith in that they had hearts disposed toward God, and that faith was reckoned to them as righteousness, as in case of Abraham. According to the universalist passages Christ died for them too.

f. But not only Jews in OT, some Gentiles also. Mal. 1:11:"From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered in my name." All around the world Gentiles had built altars to the true God of heaven!

g. In Gen. 20 it is evident that Abimelech, a heathen king, communicated with God and found his favor. When he mistakenly took Abraham's wife, the Lord rebuked him, and he quickly corrected it. God referred to Abimelech"s "integrity of heart."

h. So with Rahab the harlot and Job. They are held up as examples of faith in Scripture, but they were pagan or heathen, not covenant people.

3. In regard to specific questions raised:

a. Jerome Barry references Rom. 1:16 and notes that it is only in the gospel that the righteousness of God is revealed and only to those that believe. He understands my position to be that God imputes righteousness apart from faith. This is to misunderstand the nature of faith. There is a faith in Scripture that goes beyond a personal faith in Christ, as the above paragraphs indicate. Abraham, Rahab, Job, Abimelech, Cornelius, etc. all had faith when faith is understood to be a heart disposed toward God. As Acts 14:17 assures us, God never leaves himself without wittness. Every person has some light, however dim. Faith is a response to that light. Justification by faith is the only justification there is, in OT and NT alike. But faith in Christ is not the only faith. The lost are those who reject such light as they have. All others are saved, as the universalist texts affirm.

b. Joe Messick states a concern that always comes up when this thesis is presented: if the masses are saved by Christ's death apart from personal faith in him and are lost only when they reject the gospel, then why risk their rejecting the gospel by taking it to them. We should therefore not evangelize. While I addressed this in my initial article, let me say here that this is to misunderstand the purpose of missions or evangelism. Even if we knew that all the pagans-heathen of the world were saved, we would still want to take the gospel to them, for the gospel has power to do far more than keep people out of hell. Its purpose is fellowship with God and the riches of Christ. God did not send Peter to Cornelius because he was in danger of hell, for he was already a righteous man. It was to provide for him a deeper and richer fellowship with God. This is a basic purpose of all evangelism. Too, the gospel is the greatest of God's light. Those out in our dark world who accept such light as they have will accept more light, the gospel. These are the elect. Those who reject the gospel will be those who have already rejected such light as they have. These are the non-elect. They are lost not because they reject the gospel; they are already lost for rejecting the light they already have. This is the point of Paul's argument in Rom. 1-2. All are under sin. Why? Because they reject either the revealed law (Jews) or the moral law (Gentiles). Except some who do by nature what the law requires even though they have not the (Jewish)law. (2:12-14) No one is ever worse off for having heard the gospel!

c. Scott Wiley thinks if I am right then most everyone will be saved, but Jesus refers to few being saved and a narrow gate. My thesis does not simply anything about how many or how few will eventually be saved in heaven. Only God knows that -- the elect will be saved. My thesis does identify the elect: All are of the elect except those that reject (and continue to reject to the end) such light as God has given them. But no one knows how many these will be. The Scriptures seem to imply that the majority of humankind will be lost. But this will not be because Christ did not save them. He has saved everyone! The universalist verses confirm this -- EXCEPT those that reject the salvation by rejecting whatever measure of light God has given. But we don't know how many this will be. The book of Revelation pictures multitudes being saved, more than man can number. But one thing is certain. There will be multitudes in heaven who never had a personal faith in Christ upon earth, who never even knew of him! Count them: all the infants and incompetent, all the OT saints, all the pagans-heathen (like those named above) who had a heart toward God and always did all they knew to do.

In conclusion, I might add that this thesis is not unique with me but has been argued by some of the brightest, pious scholars in the history of the church, including our own Alexander Campbell. I was led to these conclusions long years ago in part in reading the old Scottish theologian so admired by Campbell, the great James MacKnight, whose translation of the NT Campbell used in his Living Oracles. Perhaps a quotation from MacKnight's Apostolic Epistles would be appropriate for a conclusion: "The gospel does not make it necessary to salvation, that men have an explicit knowledge of Christ, and a direct faith in him, if they never have an opportunity of knowing and believing on him. On the contrary, by informing us, that all mankind live at present, and shall hereafter be raised from the dead, through the obedience of Christ, although the greatest part of them know nothing of him, nor of his obedience, the sacred oracles lead us to conclude that at the general judgment many shall be saved through Christ who till then never heard of him. Besides, is it not as agreeable to justice and goodness to save the pious heathens through Christ, notwithstanding they never heard of him, as it was to condemn all mankind to death, for the sin of Adam, although the greatest part of them never heard of his disobedience?"

Soldier on!, Leroy Garrett"

I now quote my initial response to this teaching of Brother Garrett. I will follow this with a review of this article in detail.

"Brother Demastus:

I am very happy to notice your concern over the false teaching of Brother Garrett. It is regrettable that one with such talent, knowledge, and ability to express himself should have so severely deluded himself as to take these erroneous positions and use his superior talents to lead others astray from the truth.

It is for this reason that I have determined to give evidence from the word of God that is contrary to his conclusions. Then, in a separate post following this one, to examine, in the light of God's eternal word, the things that he has affirmed in this article that you have quoted in the hope that it may influence others to turn away from his false teaching. I will first give evidence from the scriptures that salvation comes through Christ only in obedience to the gospel. Then I will examine in some detail each argument made by Brother Garrett. After which I will summarize my remarks in a third post with a discussion of other verses that have indirect bearing on this momentous theme. It is my hope that it will be helpful to you and others who must unfortunately face the errors that he is propagating in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not new that someone should seek to find salvation for those who have never heard the blessed gospel of Christ. We would all hope that those whom we consider to be "good" men that have never had the opportunity to hear of Christ might obtain mercy from a just and righteous God. That God may do so is his business. And I want to be clear that should he arrange for their salvation apart from hearing and obeying the gospel that I would be the very first to thank him. However, this hope has not been given to us in the pages of Holy Writ. For we are clearly told that the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first and also to the Greek". Romans 1:16. We are also told that Christ is returning to take vengeance on those that, "know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of God and the glory of His power." 2 Thess. 1:7-11.

Then there are the clear words of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by [them that are] no people, [and] by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (Romans 10:13-21). Now notice that Paul, who was inspired of the Holy Spirit, did not have the "brilliant insight" that those who have never heard of Christ could be saved as has been recently discovered by our own "brilliant and talented" Brother Garrett. Look at the words of the Apostle to the GENTILES! He said by inspiration, " For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Brother Garrett has discovered that "everyone is going to be saved, though he qualifies it, so long as they live in harmony with whatever "light they have no matter how dim". But Paul is clear, "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved". I do not have to tell you that I would believe the Apostle Paul was correct. He then ask an important question, "How shall they call on him in who the have not believed? Now these would fit Brother Garrett"s "disbeliveers" as opposed to his "unbelievers". For these people described by Paul are not those who have rejected Christ but are rather those who have not believed. As is clear from Paul's words as they continue, " And how shall they believe on Him of whom they have not HEARD?" Now these people are clearly described as those who "HAVE NOT HEARD". SO Paul's argument runs thus whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. But who will be able to call on the name of the Lord? How shall they call on him if they do not believe? Then how shall they believe if they have not heard? Then, how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall the y preach except they be sent? This is very different from our Brother Garrett who has discovered that Christ saved everyone when he died on the Cross. But he excludes those who reject whatever light they have. By doing this he is in the ridiculous position of being a "non-universal Universalist" Then he decides that the only reason to preach the gospel is to help everyone "enjoy the riches of Christ". He says they are saved without "calling on the name of the Lord" and that they cannot be called "unbelievers" because they have never heard of Christ. But he imagines that they can be called "disbeliveers" but that no one will be lost for not hearing of Christ. But Paul says the opposite. Paul says that "faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God". Without HEARING the word of God no one can have faith. We are saved "by Grace through Faith" (Eph. 2: 8). If I cannot have faith I cannot be saved but I cannot have faith without hearing the word of God. As Paul says none can hear without a preacher and that there will not be any preachers unless they be sent. So Paul's reason for preaching the gospel is because it will save those who are lost. Hear Paul's inspired word in 1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." It pleased God by the "foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" but it does not please Brother Garrett. Brother Garrett just does not think that such is enough. He is distressed that this will leave no hope for his "good" men who have never heard the gospel of Christ. He has decided that such a process is "unbecoming of God" to not save all men and then preach the gospel as if it were some "decoration" that makes the cake much nicer and more "enjoyable". He fails to realize that salvation is in Christ and the gospel is the means whereby we call upon Him.

Let us read what the word of God has to say about the relationship the Gospel sustains to salvation of the souls of men.

For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1 Cor. 4:15

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1Cor.9:16)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved. 1Cor 5:1-4

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (2 Cor. 4:3). Is it not reasonable that if the gospel is "hid to them that are lost" that those who cannot find it are therefore lost? But Brother Garrett wants us to believe that the gospel is also hid to some that are saved!

"But though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other gospel than that which ye received let him be anathema." (Gal. 1:8,9). If we all saved already, without hearing and obeying the gospel, why would it be such a serious sin for another gospel to be preached? In fact if these men are preaching another gospel because that is the only "dim" light that they have as Brother Garrett would say, how could Paul say that they should be "anathema"? Clearly those who preach another gospel are accursed. What does this do to the so- called "Universalist" passages"?

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them, which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2Cor. 4:4). Now Brother Garrett would ask Paul in this place, "what are you worried about Paul? Christ already saves these men so long as they live according to the "light that they have no matter how dim it may be."

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying in thee shall all nations be blessed. ( Gal 3:8). Brother Garrett would have us believe that Abraham never had the "gospel" preached unto him. He would have us to believe that having a "heart for God" saved Abraham. But here we are told that the scriptures saw beforehand that God would justify the heathen "through faith" and that the gospel was preached unto him. This eliminates Abraham from Brother Garrett's list of those who were saved without having the gospel preached unto them. Now doesn't it?

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph. 1:13) Here the Gospel is called "the gospel of our salvation". Brother Garrett would have us to believe that the gospel is nothing more that an announcement that we have already been saved by Christ death on the cross. But if you read the rest of this verse you see that it is after we believe that we are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit.

" Though he were a son yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation to ALL THEM THAT OBEY HIM. (Heb. 5:8,9). This passage makes it clear that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those that OBEY him. But Brother Garrett would like for us to believe that the is the author of eternal salvation to all who "have a heart for God" and are following whatever light that they have no matter how "dim".

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Eph. 3:6) Here Paul tells us that the Gentiles are of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ and that this is done by the gospel.

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (Col. 1:5)

"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; " (Col.1: 23) Paul says that the Gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven. Now Brother Garrett seems to think that this is impossible. He seems to go on the assumption that the gospel cannot be brought to everyone and therefore it is unfair for those who do not hear it to be lost. The problem is that they are not lost because they have not heard the gospel, rather they are lost because they have sinned against God. Romans 3:23, " For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God". So where are these "good" men who "have a heart for God" that he is talking about? God tells us, "What then? Are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery [are] in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Where can we find anyone in this world that is not guilty before God? SO where are the "good" men who have not obeyed the gospel and are saved by following their "dim" lights? Where is anyone that has followed completely his light "no matter how dim?" There are none! NONE! We are therefore lost because we are in sin not because we have not heard of the gospel that is designed to save us from sin. If a man were to fall from his boat into deep turbulent water and drown within reach of a life- ring that was cast to him but he did not see it could we conclude that he lost because he did not see the life-ring? Or would it not be true that he was lost because he fell into turbulent water?

Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Thess. 2:14). We are called by the gospel. Brother Garrett has us being called with very "dim" lights.

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2Tim.1: 10). Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. Then where is there any hope for anyone who has not heard and obey that Gospel.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Heb. 4:2).

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Peter4: 17). Peter asked a rhetorical question, which by the way in which it is asked carries it's own answer. Brother Garrett wants us to believe that the answer to this question is that the end of those who do not even hear of and therefore cannot obey the gospel of Christ is salvation. But in 2 Thess. 1:9-11 the inspired apostle Paul answers this question correctly when he tells us that their end shall be "everlasting punishment from the presence of God and the glory of his power." Who are we to believe? You know that we must continue in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers. (Acts2: 42). So I will follow the inspired Apostle Paul instead of the "brilliant and talented" Brother Garrett.

Let us not forget that there is found in the book of Revelation an angel flying in the mist of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"(Rev. 14:6). Let us therefore know that he is not flying around "seeking whom he may destroy but rather he is looking for those who he may convince to obey it so that they can be saved. Knowing that they need this gospel because they are lost not just to help them to "enjoy the fellowship of God and the riches of Christ". Rather he is delivering the "power of God unto salvation"!

I pray that Brother Garrett's false teaching will deceive no one. It may sound good on the surface but it is extremely destructive and deceptive. I pray fervently that his deceptions will cease. For many are lost in their sins and we must know that the Gospel must be brought to them that they might be saved. (Romans 1:16; 2 Thes. 1:7- 11).

In my next post in this thread I will examine in detail the arguments made by Brother Garrett in this article quoted by Brother Demastus. His arguments deceptively leave out much of what the word of God has to say about this subject and he also has affirmed things without scriptural support that are, in fact, contrary to the teaching of the inspired word of God.

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2000

Answers

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-- Anonymous, February 01, 2000

To my Brother's and Sisters in Christ in the Christian Church Forum:

I have promised to review Brother Garret's arguments in detail. After having written this I realized that it is extremely long, even for me! Ha! I therefore have decided to break the response into shorter sections to which I will post in order until all of his arguments have been examined in detail. I hope that this will be a good procedure for I received this advice for Brother Sam Lovall and I consider his advice in this matter to be very wise. This is my first attempt at following this procedure so if it is not a drastic improvement please forgive me. I hope to make it easier for others to examine my position and respond. Please pray that I can find a way to refute error but at the same time not be limited to short paragraphs that are insufficient to the objective of a reasonable review and successful refutation of doctrines that are contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

I now proceed to examine the words written by Brother Leroy Garrett concerning his essay that is entitled "Is the Gospel a Quid Pro Quo?"

Brother Garrett begins by referring us to his original essay, which I have not had the opportunity to read, and therefore cannot review. He entitled his essay "Is the Gospel a Quid Pro Quo?"

These are his words, "In response to some concerns expressed on RM-Bible about my essay on Is the Gospel a Quid Pro Quo?"

Now I must confess that I cannot for the life of me comprehend this inordinate affection that many preachers appear to have for legal terminology and Latin phrases! This is not the first time that I have reviewed an essay or responded to some comment that was using these "secret codes of the intelligencia". It seems that they are attempting to follow in the steps of the so-called "Educated Elite". For such nonsense is characteristic of the arrogant elite. This is not an attempt to communicate but rather an attempt to disguise an old argument in new clothing so that we do not automatically recognize it for what it is! We will see that Brother Garrett is doing nothing more in this article than rehashing the old doctrine of unconditional salvation.

Just in case there may be some of our readers that do not understand the meaning of this Latin legal phrase, "Quid Pro Quo"- not that anyone reading this forum would have such difficulty- the phrase means "something for something". For you see the old false doctrine of unconditional salvation is the idea of something for NOTHING. So Brother Garrett wants us to question the idea that the gospel is a "Quid Pro Quo" or something for something. In other words he is questioning whether God grants us the forgiveness of our sins on the condition of our being penitent concerning them and obedient to the gospel. He wants us to believe that we are saved without being obedient to the gospel of Christ. This false doctrine is not new and it has been answered over and over again. But he did not want the title to his essay to boldly declare that it was his intent to show that obedience to the Gospel is not essential to salvation! But that is his exact intention! He is, in this article, declaring that Obedience to the gospel is not essential to the salvation of the souls of men. We have shown conclusive evidence from the scriptures in our initial response to Brother Garrett's article that God requires us to obey the gospel in order to be saved. (2Thes.1: 9-11; 1Cor. 15:1-4) and therefore will not cover that ground again. Now we will examine the arguments that he has made in detail and show that his reasoning is fallacious and that his interpretation of several passages is flawed.

So Brother Garrett is asking us to consider whether the Gospel is a "something for something". But when we read his words that follow we see that he, along with many denominational and sectarian preachers that follow the creeds of men, conclude that the gospel is NOT a quid pro quo. That is, it is not a "something for something" but it is rather the "good News" that modern man has always wanted to hear! It is, according to Brother Garrett, something for NOTHING.

Now the answer to his question, "Is the Gospel a Quid Pro Quo" depends on whether you are talking about the gospel in relation to the sacrifice of Christ or if you are discussing it in relation to the obedience of man. For in relation to Christ the Gospel is the good News of the sacrifice of Christ for the salvation of Man. This is without doubt a "Quid Pro Quo" something for something, the Son of God for the souls of man. But in relation to the obedience of Man toward God Brother Garrett wants us to believe that it is NOT a "Quid Pro Quo". He wants us to believe it is rather "something for nothing" meaning that God saved ALL men the moment that Christ died on the cross and He therefore does not require any conditions whatsoever from them. Thus Brother Garrett concludes that God saves man long before and completely without his even hearing, much less being obedient to, the gospel. Hence, according to Brother Garrett, the need for humble obedient faith in Christ is not a condition of our salvation. According to him, then, salvation is "unconditional" and universal.

However, we shall see that Brother Garrett contradicts his thesis of universal "unconditional salvation" when he declares "But there are other passages that make it clear that some will be lost. I therefore conclude that everyone is saved EXCEPT those that the Bible says will be lost, and the Bible makes it clear whose these are: those who "choose not to have God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1:28), those who reject, disbelieve the gospel once they hear it (Mk. 16:16), and persist in this rejection." When one compares Brother Garrett's comments affirming unconditional hence "universal" salvation with this statement form him the contradiction becomes obvious. He is telling us that God does not expect or require any expressions of faith in Christ in order to our salvation. He wants us to believe that God saved us the day Christ died on the cross and this salvation is for everyone whether or not they believe in Christ, so long as they have not heard of Him and failed to believe what they have heard. The only ones that will be lost, according to Brother Garrett, are those who hear this good news that Christ has already saved them but do not believe it. Thus he has them being saved with out faith until they hear the gospel and then lost because they are without faith enough to believe it. Therefore he is in the absurd position of teaching that all men have been saved by Christ the moment that He died on the cross and lost the moment they hear of this good news simply because they find it to be unbelievable! For, according to Brother Garrett, God does not require faith in Christ as a condition of salvation unless and until they have been told about Christ through the gospel. They are, according to his theory, saved so long as they live according to what light they have until the "glorious light of the gospel" shines upon them and they reject it. Then they will be lost. This is the absurd nonsense that he is asking reasonable men to believe! This is apparent from the very title of his essay and it will become increasingly apparent as we further examine his contradictory arguments.

Now that we are aware of the actual definition and intent of Brother Garrett's Thesis we are prepared to scrutinize his arguments which he employs to support his doctrine. In my next post we shall begin to examine them to see if they are true when compared with the word of God.

I pray that the truth will set us free from such self-contradictory doctrines as those we are now examining.

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2000

So Called Universalist Passages

E. Lee Saffold

TO my Brothers and Sisters in Christ in the Christian Chruch Forum:

We shall now examine Brother Garretts arguments based upon what he denominates as universalist passages. These Passages are: Romans 5:18;Romans 11:32; 1Corinthians 15:22; Hebrews 2:9; 1Timothy 2:6; and his unspecified and not cited many other passages that he claims to support his view that everyone is was/is saved the moment Christ died on the cross.

Brother Garretts first argument is from a group of text that he styles universalist which he claims reveal a biblical universalism! He quotes a few of them but does not explain nor even attempt to prove that they do in fact reveal that this biblical universalism is the same as Garretts universalism. He claims these verses teach that at the cross every person was/is saved making Christ the actual savior, at that very moment of his death, of all men. He therefore, cunningly uses passages that speak in universal language and assumes that it is teaching the kind of universalism that he defines. He thus has simply affirmed something completely without proof. Even if these passages are teaching facts that universally apply to all men it does not follow that they are teaching that all men were universally saved from their sins at the moment that Christ died on the cross. Brother Garrett does nothing but merely affirm without proof that they teach his brand of universalism. Then he asserts that there are many other passages that teach the same thing but he does not take the time to cite them so that we can judge for ourselves whether such is true. We categorically deny that these passages teach the kind of universalism that Brother Garrett affirms and we also challenge anyone to produce any single passage elsewhere in the scriptures that teaches such nonsense as Brother Garrett is affirming.

Let us begin by examining the biblical universalism of the passages that he cites as and determine if it is universalism and if it is the same universalism that Brother Garrett wants us to believe. I now quote his words so that everyone can see the passages that we will examine:

1. Certain texts reveal a biblical universalism, i.e. Christ's death on the Cross was for everyone; he saved all people before and after him: Rom. 5:18: As one man's trespass led to the condemnation of all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquital and life for all men. Rom. 11:32: God has assigned all men to disobedience that he might have mercy upon all. 1 Cor. 15:22: As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. Heb. 2:9: So that by the grace of God he might taste of death for every one. 1 Tim. 2:6: Who gave himself a ransom for all. There are many such texts that make it clear that at the Cross every person was/is saved. Our Lord is not the potential Savior but the Savior, period. John introduced him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. So, if we take these Scriptures for what they say, everyone is saved

The first passage used by Brother Garrett to affirm that at the Cross every person was/is saved. Our Lord is not the potential Savior but the Savior, period. is Romans 5:18 which says, Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.

This passage is often misunderstood because the context is ignored. In this verse Paul takes up again his point that was made in Romans 5:12 which he qualified with the verses that are between verse 12 and verse 18.

It would be helpful to read these verses: Romans 5:12-17 reads,

5:12 Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men sinned 5:13 sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 5:14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 5:15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 5:16 And the free gift is not like the effect of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 5:17 If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Then Verse 18 says: Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men.

This passage shows that Christ death brought for ALL men all that had been lost by Adams sin. Adams sin brought (1) Natural death upon all men without exception. (2) It brought spiritual death to all that continued in Sin. Spiritual Death did not come upon the human race as a result of Adam' sin but rather as a result of each mans' personal sins. The soul that sinneth it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son but the soul that sinneth it shall die. (Ezek.18:20). Christ death reversed the sentence of physical death that came upon the human race as a result of Adams sin. For all will be raised from the dead, therefore it brings a full pardon of Adams sin and its consequences upon the entire human race. For our Lord declared that the hour cometh and now is that they that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29). This is what is universal in this as well as all of the other passages that Brother Garrett cites. But this verse, as well as the others, says absolutely nothing about Christ granting automatically, at his death, the eternal salvation from the sins committed by the rest of us individually! Christ death brings the full pardon of Adams sin and hence all infants and irresponsible persons are sinless. It brings eternal life to all those who are free from Adams sins and have no personal sins of their own (If you can find such a person). It also brings the opportunity of forgiveness of personal sins committed by the rest of us through the gospel thus securing eternal life for all who are obedient to it. (Hebrews 5:8,9). In other words we now have a choice that we never had before. That choice is to repent and obey Christ in order to be forgiven of our sins (Acts 2:38; 3:19;Mark 16:16). This is why God grants to all that BELIEVE the power to become sons of God John1: 12.

Understanding this makes these so-called Universalist passages fit in perfect harmony with the passages that indicate that some men will be lost. For this passage, as well as all of the others do not teach unconditional universal salvation of all sinners at the moment that Christ died on the Cross. This passage is in the context of Paul contrasting and comparing the effects of Adams disobedience and sin with the effect of Christs obedience unto death. These passages teach a universal pardon of Adams sin. The only way that Adams sin could be universally pardoned is through the general resurrection of all men from the dead. This is clearly the teaching of this passage. Paul in this passage is giving both a comparison and a contrast between Adam and Christ. For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive. That is because of Adam we all face death but because of Christ we have the hope of the resurrection. All men can expect to be raised from the dead but only those who have been obedient to the gospel can be saved from the effects of the consequences of their own sins and expect to be raised to eternal life. (Heb. 5:8,9; 2 Thess. 1:9-11;Cor. 15:1-4). Do we all die spiritually because of Adams sin? No we do not. We all die physically because of his sin. But God has forgiven Adam through Christ and therefore all men will be raised from the dead. All will be brought back to life. Whether they will live eternally or suffer eternally depends on whether they have been obedient to the Gospel. Therefore the gospel is GOOD NEWS that because of Christ death our father Adam has been forgiven and therefore all of us have been released from the sting of death and the victory of the grave. But the contrast is that Christ goes further than merely removing the consequence of Adam's sin upon the race and forgives us also through the gospel. Take very close notice of verse 17! It says, If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. It very plainly limits those who will reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ to those who RECEIVE the abundance of his grace. Now this excludes those who do not receive it. Therefore this individual eternal salvation is conditioned upon our receiving it. If we neglect or reject this salvation we will not reign in Life through Christ. (Heb. 2:3,4).

A casual reading of all of the other verses will show the same result as the above from Romans. When one reads Hebrews 2:9 in the context of Hebrews 2:3,4 and Hebrews 2:14,15 it becomes obvious that this passage does not, in its context support the Brother Garretts false doctrine.

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Hebrews 2:3,4.

For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10.

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:12-16.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:18.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:8,9.

The context of Hebrews 2:9 clearly does not teach the universalism taught by Brother Garret. A reading of the passages quoted is sufficient to answer the erroneous argument that he makes from this passage.

The context of every passage that Brother Garrett has quoted demonstrates that he has deliberately ignored the fact that Christs death universally reversed the consequence of Death that reigned over men because of Adams sin. So that in the last day all men, universally without distinction, will be raised from the dead both good and evil but only those who obey the gospel will be raised to eternal life. While those who do not obey the gospel will be raised to eternal destruction from the presence of God and the glory of his power. (2 Thess 1; 9-11; John 5; 28,29).

We can clearly see that these passages do not teach a universal salvation of all men the moment that Christ died on the cross as Brother Garrett affirms. Rather, we see that the universal consequence of the sin of Adam has been removed in that trough Christ all will be raised from the dead. We also see that Christ death made it possible for all me to obtain forgiveness of their own sins through obedience to the gospel. Therefore those who would be saved eternal after the general resurrection must hear the gospel, believe it, and obey it. (Romans 10:13-17; Mark 16:15,16; 2 Thess. 1; 7-11)

In our Next post we will consider Brother Garretts arguments that contradict his own that he has made from what he calls the universalist passages.

May God Be with all who serve our Lord in truth.

Your Brother In Christ:

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2000

Brother Garrett Begging the Question

By E. Lee Saffold

Now we quote and respond to Brother Garrett's efforts to prejudice our minds before allowing us to review the evidence that he offers to support his false claims. If you are teaching the truth all you have to do is affirm it and then offer support from the scriptures to sustain your affirmation. But Brother Garrett uses the tactic common to all false teachers. He spends some time to prepare you in advance to desire very much to believe his assertions by appealing to our HUMAN sense of fairness. He basically tells us that if God requires men to hear the gospel, believe it and obey it he would be unfair to many "honest and good hearts" who have never heard the gospel. Now what he is saying is that you cannot just look at the evidence in the scriptures and draw your conclusions. For if you do that you may decide that God requires us to believe and obey. He wants you to be prepared in advance by convincing you before hand that any scriptures that might seem to indicate that we must "believe and obey" cannot be so interpreted. For if we reach that conclusion, no matter what they actually say, we will make God seem to be unfair and who wants to reach such a conclusion?

Read his words and notice that he wants us to accept his conclusion before we read any evidence. This type of procedure is called "Begging the question" among those who understand logic and the science of reason. I now quote his words:

"But there are other passages that make it clear that some will be lost. I therefore conclude that everyone is saved EXCEPT those that the Bible says will be lost, and the Bible makes it clear whose these are: those who "choose not to have God in their knowledge" (Rom. 1:28), those who reject, disbelieve the gospel once they hear it (Mk. 16:16), and persist in this rejection. It is crucial to distinguish between unbelief and disbelief, even if translations do not always make the distinction. The unbeliever (the one who has never heard the gospel through no fault of his own) is never condemned in Scripture, only the disbeliever, the one who knows God's will but refuses to accept it.

All others are saved as the universalist passages indicate. This makes the gospel really the good news that it is. Is the alternative really good news?: Everyone is lost except those who believe and obey. This leaves great masses of humankind, many who have honest and good hearts and doing the best they know how, lost and hell bound."

This statement is nothing more than begging the question. Garrett is here saying that God cannot be requiring belief and obedience because it is unfair. He does not want us to look first at the word of God to determine if God requires us to believe and obey in order to be saved. Instead he wants us to decide against such a view in advance of reviewing the evidence from the word of God. He wants us to agree, in advance, that we should not expect to find that God's word requires belief and obedience because if we were to reach such a conclusion we would be accusing God of being UNFAIR!

Let us first determine if God, through His eternal word, does require belief and obedience and then discuss whether it is fair to "honest and good" men. The question is not "what is fair?" but rather "are we saved by the death of Christ without even hearing of Christ and believing in Christ and obeying Christ?" Now if the Bible teaches that such is true then this discussion of fairness is not necessary. If the Bible teaches that we must obey the Gospel to obtain the benefits of Christ death on the cross then such is true whether it is fair or not. We cannot change the word of God just to "protect" God from a charge of "unfairness"!

Garrett is, with this statement, only trying to prejudice our minds because he cannot make his case by simply appealing to the scriptures. He wants us to decide in advance that God cannot require faith and obedience without being unfair. He does this in the hope of prejudicing our minds so that even if we find a scripture contrary to his theory we will be disposed in advance to think that our view of that passage cannot be correct. This is a poor way to study God's word. Let us read it and see what it says and accept it without any preconceived notions. Such a prejudicial procedure has caused many to misunderstand each other and it certainly has caused many to draw erroneous conclusions from the word of God. Jesus often said, "he that hath an ear LET him hear". Brother Garrett does not want you to "have an ear" with which to hear. He wants you to hear only all that is sounded on HIS FREQUENCY. He wants you to hear only on his wavelength. He has filtered out, with his "it is not fair" filter, so that you can only hear the trumpet section. He does not want you to hear the entire, beautiful symphony so he is asking you to decide this question with human reason in advance of "hearing" the evidence from God's word in the case. He wants us to stop our ears from hearing anything contrary to his theory that ALL men are saved by Christ death on the cross without ever hearing the gospel. Now we will not allow Brother Garrett to blind our eyes from seeing or stop our ears from hearing. We will appeal to the testimony of the word of God and try the spirits whether they are of God because MANY false teachers have gone out into the world.

He refers to certain passages as "universalist" passages as if those who advocate "universalism" own these passages. These passages come from God and belong to God and are written to us all. He has not proven that they are teaching universal, and hence unconditional salvation. Even if they are universal they are discussion the general or universal resurrection of all men, some to the resurrection of life others to the resurrection of damnation. He does not prove that they are discussing universal salvation apart from the gospel. You see these passages can be universal in the sense that Christ died so that all men would have the opportunity to be saved by hearing, believing and obeying the gospel. There is no indication that the entire world was in fact saved from their sins before and without hearing the gospel and repenting of their sins and being baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; 1Peter 3:21; 1Cor. 15:1-4 etc.)

This is more of his efforts to prepare your thinking in advance. He wants you to see them as Universalist passages before you read them for yourself. Why not just quote the passage in support of his position and let you decide for yourself after reading them whether they teach universalism or not. No, Brother Garrett cannot allow you to come to these verses without knowing before you read them that they are "Universalist" passages. He wants us to believe this in advance. He does not want to take the risk that you may read them in their context and see something that does not fit his theory.

I have already dealt with these passages in a previous quote. My purpose in this one is to show that Brother Garrett is not trying to convince us by an appeal to the word of God. Rather he is trying to delude us in advance of reading God's word, with human reason. But remember, "the world in its wisdom knew not God." (1Corinthians 1:21). "Take heed lest there be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ:" (Col. 2:8).

Beware of these deceptive tactics that are being used by Brother Garrett. They are common to all false teachers! Now notice, that Brother Garrett wants us to believe that ALL MEN were saved the day that Christ died on the cross long before and completely without them hearing and obeying the gospel. Then he contends that these men, who were saved the day Christ died on the cross, will be lost if they chose not to "have God in their knowledge"! Well, Brother Garrett, that is the reason they were lost IN THE FIRST PLACE! You have told us that ALL MEN were saved, according to what you term "Universalist" passages, But they will be lost if they do not "have God in their knowledge". Well the only way they can "have God in their knowledge is for them to LEARN about God. So I guess someone will have to teach them so that they can "chose" to have God in their knowledge. For if they do not learn of God how on earth could they CHOSE whether they will "HAVE GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE" or not? Preaching the Gospel would be a good way for them to be taught, wouldn't it? If they hear the gospel and reject it, according to Brother Garrett they will be lost. Now to that I agree! But surely any fool can see the absurdity of Brother Garrett's contradiction just here! He has them saved the moment Christ died on the cross without any knowledge of God or faith whatsoever. Then, they are immediately lost the moment they hear the gospel but do not have enough knowledge or faith to believe it! How is his theory any more reasonable than the scriptural one that teaches that Christ died for all men ( Romans 5:18) and that they will be saved if the hear and obey the gospel. (Romans 10:13-17; 1Corinthians 15:1-4; Mark 16:16; Romans 1:16;).

His self-contradiction should now be obvious to any thinking person. In our next post we will consider his second point which is a feeble attempt to show "instances" or examples of those who are saved by God reaching "beyond the gospel" to save them. He means that he is going to give us examples of people who have been saved WITHOUT the gospel of Christ. Remember 2 John 9-11, "whosoever goeth onward (that is beyond) and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ HATH NOT GOD"! We will show that none of his examples fit his erroneous theory either!

Your Brother in Christ,

E. Lee Saffold

-- Anonymous, February 22, 2000