Preface
Originally published, Tuesday, April 09, 2019. Republished with edits and editions for article #90 on academia.edu, Monday, April 10, 2023
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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.
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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.
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