Preface
Originally published, Tuesday, April 09, 2019. Republished with edits and editions for article #90 on academia.edu, Monday, April 10, 2023
---
I noted at that time...
I scanned through theological pamphlets. Dr. Harold Hoehner discussed in a Romans Greek Exegesis series that the up-and-outers and down-and-outers, were both without the moral, ethical, righteous standards of God. Persons need the imputed righteousness of Christ to be acceptable to God (Romans 4-5). Brief and non-exhaustive but the point is clear.
A few months ago, I shared this concept with a senior work colleague. He was quite impressed with Dr. Hoehner's concept. I reason that my further commentary would be helpful to add to this website.
Based on Romans 1-6 in particular, which I often cite and discuss, Dr. Hoehner (paraphrased) is dealing with the Apostle's Paul's theology in regard to universal, corrupted, fallen, nature.
Dr. Hoehner on this cassette tape series, not book (from my seminary work at Canadian Baptist Seminary), divides universal, corrupted, fallen unbelievers into two groups:
The up-and-outers: The moral and ethical, non-believers.
The down-and-outers: The immoral and unethical, non-believers.
Outers very importantly also means those out of the Kingdom of God, as opposed to being in the Kingdom of God. Those not (at present) covered by the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ. Those not justified via the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The up-and-outers had significant non-biblical morality and ethics, but not Gospel morality and ethics.
The down-and-outers lacked both non-biblical and Gospel, morality and ethics.
I deduce that for Dr. Hoehner and his Roman's interpretation, those who are chosen in Jesus Christ (Romans 8-9), are considered those that are in.
I can agree with the secular and/or non-Christian critic that states that the Christian is not always the most moral and ethical person compared to other.
However, theologically and philosophically, this theology presently does not guarantee that a confessing individual Christian is significantly moral and ethical, by both non-Christian and biblical standards.
But, a truly regenerated believer (John 3, Titus 3, 1 Peter 1) should demonstrate biblical, New Testament morals and ethics. As one truly justified, this believer should be progressing in those, through sanctification (set apart), by grace through faith (Ephesians, Romans, Galatians), within the Kingdom of God that will one day be culminated. (2 Peter, Revelation).
I first posted on this concept:
July 21 2014
I noted at that time...
I scanned through theological pamphlets. Dr. Harold Hoehner discussed in a Romans Greek Exegesis series that the up-and-outers and down-and-outers, were both without the moral, ethical, righteous standards of God. Persons need the imputed righteousness of Christ to be acceptable to God (Romans 4-5). Brief and non-exhaustive but the point is clear.
Dr. Harold Hoehner
HOEHNER, HAROLD, ThD, PhD (1985) The Epistle To The Romans, Institute of Theological Studies
Justification
Justification
A few months ago, I shared this concept with a senior work colleague. He was quite impressed with Dr. Hoehner's concept. I reason that my further commentary would be helpful to add to this website.
Based on Romans 1-6 in particular, which I often cite and discuss, Dr. Hoehner (paraphrased) is dealing with the Apostle's Paul's theology in regard to universal, corrupted, fallen, nature.
Dr. Hoehner on this cassette tape series, not book (from my seminary work at Canadian Baptist Seminary), divides universal, corrupted, fallen unbelievers into two groups:
The up-and-outers: The moral and ethical, non-believers.
The down-and-outers: The immoral and unethical, non-believers.
Outers very importantly also means those out of the Kingdom of God, as opposed to being in the Kingdom of God. Those not (at present) covered by the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ. Those not justified via the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The up-and-outers had significant non-biblical morality and ethics, but not Gospel morality and ethics.
The down-and-outers lacked both non-biblical and Gospel, morality and ethics.
I deduce that for Dr. Hoehner and his Roman's interpretation, those who are chosen in Jesus Christ (Romans 8-9), are considered those that are in.
I can agree with the secular and/or non-Christian critic that states that the Christian is not always the most moral and ethical person compared to other.
However, theologically and philosophically, this theology presently does not guarantee that a confessing individual Christian is significantly moral and ethical, by both non-Christian and biblical standards.
But, a truly regenerated believer (John 3, Titus 3, 1 Peter 1) should demonstrate biblical, New Testament morals and ethics. As one truly justified, this believer should be progressing in those, through sanctification (set apart), by grace through faith (Ephesians, Romans, Galatians), within the Kingdom of God that will one day be culminated. (2 Peter, Revelation).
Monday, April 10, 2023
Note, it is my opinion that up-and-outers, the basically moral and ethical from a western perspective, will often not see the need for the Gospel, atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ to be applied to him/her. It is overlooked that imperfect (secular perspective) humanity and sinful (New Testament perspective) humanity, is unacceptable for the Kingdom of God by nature (Romans, 1 Corinthians 15 as examples). This corruption leads to sinful thoughts, desires, acts/actions.
ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic
Justification continued
The Apostle Paul states that the righteousness of God has been revealed (Romans 1). (260). The atoning and resurrection, gospel work of Jesus Christ applied, provides salvation and legal justification by grace through faith (alone). In particular my words, with a Reformed slant, but based on 260). Romans reasons that those in Jesus Christ, receive God's righteousness (262). The righteousness of Jesus Christ, infinite God and perfect man. Works and the law could not guarantee human righteousness and therefore could not justify (Romans 4). Abraham too was justified as righteous by faith, not works. (Romans 4).
Those in Jesus Christ receive the imputed righteousness (Romans 1-2, 3) of Jesus Christ and therefore are legally justified by God. This is instead of facing God's wrath and through Christ's death on the cross, human sin is atoned for. (262). This leads to everlasting life and a sanctification (Romans 6-8) of the sinful human nature toward the perfect human nature of Jesus Christ.
To be completed at resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).
Romans 6: 22 English Standard Version (ESV)
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
King James Bible (KJV)
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
---
Salvation (justification, sanctification, my add) is by grace through faith, not works, and human beings can do nothing to merit God's acceptance. (263). Sanctification (6-8) is to increase obedience in the Lord. (263). Sin should be diminished, not promoted. (263).
Within a Reformed perspective and evangelical view, the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ in justification (Romans, Galatians) is applied immediately upon salvation: 2 Corinthians 5:21 New American Standard Bible 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
From Grenz, Guretzki, Nordling: A Protestant, Reformed, evangelical, perspective, views justification as a legal term meaning the sinner is acquitted (69). This justification makes the now regenerated (John 3, Titus 1 Peter 1, my add) Christian acceptable to the Holy God. This is through justification by grace through faith (69). Alone.
---
BARCLAY, WILLIAM (1976) The Letters of James and Peter, Philadelphia, The Westminster Press.
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BRUCE, F.F. (1987) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
COAD, F. ROY (1986) ‘Galatians’, in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville
CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
DUNNETT, WALTER M. (2001) Exploring The New Testament, Wheaton, Crossway Books.
FEE, GORDON D. (1987) The First Epistle To The Corinthians, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
FOULKES, FRANCIS (1989) Ephesians, Grand Rapids, Inter-Varsity Press.
FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005) The Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
GRENZ, STANLEY J. DAVID GURETZKI and CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
HARPUR, GEORGE (1986) Ephesians in The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
HOEHNER, HAROLD, ThD, PhD (1985) The Epistle To The Romans, Institute of Theological Studies.
KAVANAGH, AIDAN (1999) ‘Initiation, Christian’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.
KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1847-1848)(1955)(1966) On Authority and Revelation, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Harper and Row, Publishers, Incorporated.
KIERKEGAARD, SOREN (1848-1849)(1961) Christian Discourses & The Lilies of the Field and The Birds of the Air & Three Discourses at The Communion on Fridays, Translated by Walter Lowrie, New York, Oxford University Press.
KLEIN, WILLIAM W., CRAIG, C. BLOMBERG, AND ROBERT L. HUBBARD, JR. (1993) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, London, Word Publishing.
MARSH, PAUL, W. (1986) ‘1 Corinthians’, in F.F. Bruce, (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/Zondervan.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1990) The Book of Revelation, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.
MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
NUTE, ALAN G. (1986) in 'Titus', The International Bible Commentary, F.F. Bruce, General Editor, Grand Rapids, Zondervan/Marshall Pickering.
ORR, R.W. (1986) I John, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan
PACKER, J.I. (1996) ‘Regeneration’ in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
PAYNE DAVID F. (1986) '2 Peter' in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
POLKINGHORNE, G.J. (1986) '1 Peter' in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1799)(1961) On Religion, in Elie Kedourie, Nationalism, New York, Praeger University Series.
SCHLEIERMACHER, FRIEDRICH (1821)(1928)(1976) The Christian Faith, Edited by H.R. Mackintosh and J.S. Stewart, Philadelphia, Fortress Press.
SCHRECK, ALAN (1984) Catholic and Christian, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Servant Books.
SHEDD, WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volume 1, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
SHEDD, WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volume 2, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.
