Posted by J on November 16, 2004 at 11:54:21:
In Reply to: An important addendum... posted by PS on November 16, 2004 at 09:25:55:
We don't know how much of a definitive theological statement Paul is intending to make about the actual chances of the loss of his salvation, or anyone else's. He is using a rhetorical devise to illustrate the importance of an attitude of "running to win" in regard to our calling in Christ. To make the point, he acquiesces to the possibility of being disqualified even after years of service, much like the possibility of losing (or not finishing) after miles of running a race. We should try to get the point he is really making, not twist his statements around to answer questions he is not responding to.
Here you have touched on a major part of was what I was getting at.
My observation is that many theologians grab a secondary statement and make that the context of the sermon without qualifying the overcompassing meaning. If a discussion were to take place about losing one's salvation, Paul's statement could be used as a possible reference (at least, to ask the question), but I believe it should be presented as a "part of the whole" statement. This is in contrast to the quotation of a scripture and then an hour's worth of expository that does not have a qualified link to the scripture.
J