Role of Human Decree in Salvation Theology
The role of human decree in salvation theology is a complex and debated topic among Christian traditions. According to Protestant academic interpretations, salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, with human actions playing no causal role. For instance, the Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 2:5 notes that believers are "made alive together with Christ" solely by God's grace, emphasizing that salvation is not earned through human deeds [1].
This understanding is reinforced by other biblical interpretations. The Tyndale House commentary on Titus 3:5 highlights the contrast between human actions and God's grace, stating that salvation is "through faith in God's mercy alone" [2]. Similarly, the commentary on Ephesians 2:10 explains that good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation, as God's Spirit produces a good life through a transformed heart [3].
The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, also emphasizes the primacy of God's grace in salvation. Their commentary on Ephesians 5:20 notes that thanks should be given "unto God and the Father" as the source of every blessing, including redemption [6].
In contrast, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as seen in John Gill's commentary on Ephesians 3:11, underscores the role of God's eternal purpose in salvation. According to Gill, the whole scheme of salvation is fixed in God's council, and Christ's redemption is part of this purpose [7].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation. Clarke's commentary on Job 40:14 asserts that only God has the power to save the human soul, highlighting the necessity of unbounded mercy and unlimited power [9].
While these traditions differ in their articulation of salvation theology, they converge on the idea that human decree plays no decisive role in salvation. Instead, salvation is attributed to God's gracious initiative, with human faith and good works being the result of this salvation [1, 2, 3, 4, 8].
The biblical basis for this understanding is rooted in passages such as Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5, which emphasize the gratuitous nature of salvation. The Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 2:6 notes that believers share in Christ's resurrection and glory solely because of their union with him [5].
Sources
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:11: According to the eternal purpose,.... The whole of salvation, in which is displayed the great wisdom of God, is according to a purpose of his; the scheme of it is fixed in the council of peace; the thing itself is effected in pursuance of it; Christ, the Redeemer, was set forth in it; his incarnation, the time of his coming into the world, his sufferings and death, with all their circumstances, were decreed by God; and the persons for whom Christ became incarnate, suffered, and died, were appointed unto salvation by him; and the application of it to them is accordi”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 2:14: 2:14 Salvation produces a people who have the desire and capacity for the good deeds outlined in 2:2-10. • He gave his life: See also 1 Tim 2:6. • to free us: See Gal 3:22; 4:4-5; cp. Exod 6:6-8. • The phrase his very own people recalls the formation of Israel as a nation (see Exod 19:5; Deut 7:6; 14:2). Those who follow Christ are now God’s people—his nation—and the Spirit leads them to keep God’s covenant. • totally committed to doing good deeds: See Titus 1:16; Eph 2:10.”
- Job (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Job 40:14: Thine own right hand can save thee - It is the prerogative of God alone to save the human soul. Nothing less than unlimited power, exerted under the direction and impulse of unbounded mercy, can save a sinner. This is most clearly asserted in this speech of Jehovah: When thou canst extend an arm like God, i.e., an uncontrollable power - when thou canst arm thyself with the lightning of heaven, and thunder with a voice like God - when thou canst deck thyself with the ineffable glory, beauty, and splendor of the supreme majesty of Jehovah - when thou canst dispense thy ”