Olson/Smith Debate on Salvation

 
 
 Proposition: 
 Salvation comes at the point of faith before any outwards signs 
such as confession and baptism.
Affirm: Dr. Lloyd Olson
Deny: J. T. Smith

Mr. Smith’s First Negative

It is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity to defend what 
the Bible teaches regarding salvation. Even though I have signed 
to deny Dr. Olson’s proposition, it is the first part of his 
proposition with which I disagree – that is, what constitutes 
Biblical faith that saves. I have no disagreement with the good 
Doctor’s Bible definition of faith from Hebrews 11:1. However I 
do have disagreement with the statement which he has signed to 
defend and endeavored to affirm … that salvation comes at the 
point of faith. And as to his telling us what I believe, I am 
certain I have a better grasp of that than he.

In his definition of “at the point of faith,” he says, 

I endorse the point of faith sufficient for salvation as coming before any outward signs. 

I challenge him to find a single case of salvation or 
justification BEFORE “any outward signs – Old Testament or New.

He goes to the Old Testament for his evidence. The book he used 
to define the word “faith” will be sufficient to prove the point.

1.  God (not Dr. Olson) said, “By faith Abel offered unto God a 
more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness 
that he was righteous…” (Hebrews 11:4).  Since what he did was 
“by faith,” was it “at the point of faith” when he believed what 
God said or when he “offered the sacrifice” that he “obtained 
witness that he was righteous”? Tell us, Dr. Olson. Let the good 
Doctor tell us what “by which” means. We both know what the Greek 
word dia - dia translated “by” means, don’t we Dr. Olson? It 
means, “a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; 
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or 
occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of 
(that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion 
of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X 
though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition 
it retains the same general importance (Strong’s Greek 
Dictionary).

2.  God (not Dr. Olson) said, “By faith Noah, being warned of God 
of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to 
the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and 
became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 
11:7). Yes GOD said, By faith Noah “moved; prepared an ark to the 
saving of his house; became an heir of righteousness.”  Again, 
was it at the point of faith that Noah prepared an ark to the 
saving of his house? Was it at the point of faith that Noah 
became an heir of righteousness? Or, was it when his faith caused 
him to move, to prepare the Ark that his house was saved and he 
became an heir of righteousness?

Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not 
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man 
should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Now, does Dr. Olson think that 
faith is the gift of God, or is it salvation? If it is salvation, 
is it a conditional gift or an unconditional gift? The good 
Doctor must think it is conditioned on something – for he said it 
is at the point of faith.

Most people believe that “works” in connection with salvation is 
a dirty word. “No,” we are told, “there can be no works in 
connection with salvation.” I agree, in part.

Man cannot be saved by works alone. Yet, we understand from 
James’ teaching, “Ye see then how that by works a man is 
justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). What kind of 
works – works of the Law of Moses? No! – Works about which men 
can boast? No! – Works of the Devil? No!

The Bible teaches that there are works that men must do to be 
saved.

According to Jesus’ teaching we know that faith is a work of man. 
“Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work 
the works of God? 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is 
the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 
6:28-29).  In fact, at the house of Cornelius Peter said, “Then 
Peter opened his mouth, and said, ‘Of a truth I perceive that God 
is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth 
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him’” (Acts 
10:34-35).

In Romans 4:1-4 Paul said “What shall we say then that Abraham 
our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2For if 
Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but 
not before God. 3For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed 
God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4Now to him 
that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.” 

We know that Paul and James do not contradict each other. Truth 
does not contradict truth. Paul is teaching that we are not saved 
by works (only) and James in James 2, is saying that we are not 
saved by faith (only – Dr. Olson to-the-contrary not-with-
standing).

I thought it interesting that Dr. Olson’s proposition says 
salvation is at the point of faith. Does he not believe that one 
has to repent? Paul said we do. “And the times of this ignorance 
God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” 
(Acts 17:30). Is repentance before salvation? If so where does it 
belong in his proposition?

Again, if salvation is at the point of faith before other acts 
prescribed by God, then many of the rulers during Jesus’ lifetime 
were saved without confessing Him before men” (John 12:42) 
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; 
but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they 
should be put out of the synagogue:” What say ye, Dr. Olson?

James says, James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though 
a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” 
Dr. Olson, please tell us the difference in the faith of which 
James is speaking and the faith of your proposition.

What you need to learn is the A, B, Cs of the word faith. Action 
– Based upon – Conviction. James explains it. “Yea, a man may 
say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without 
thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 
2:18).