"A Saving Knowledge of Christ"

[Della]

I attended the American Chesterton Society’s annual Conference over the weekend. One of the speakers was a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase “bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’”. I was wondering, where did that phrase come from, precisely what does it mean, and how is it supported by biblical exegesis?

 

[Catholic_Dude]

I attended the American Chesterton Society’s annual Conference over the weekend. One of the speakers was a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase "bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’ ". I was wondering, where did that phrase come from, precisely what does it mean, and how is it supported by biblical exegesis?

The way I understand it is a Protestant phrase similar to that of “accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior” but in this case it is a way to curb “easybelievism” so it means a knowledge of Christ that includes the firm intention of changing your life towards a Christian outlook. Many of that type of Protestant believe that if you are “truly saved” then good works will flow from that profession of faith in your life.

 

[catholic1seeks]

…a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase “bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’”

That’s what gets me, “saving knowledge of Christ”(the KNOWLEDGE part). So, grammatically speaking, a particular knowledge of Christ - saving knowledge - will save you.

So, now, we’ve gone to a saving faith to a knowledge of Christ? That’s what “accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior” seems to be about, doesn’t it? Just having a knowledge, or in other words, acknowledging Jesus as your savior will *save *you?

That’s just the beginning. The intellect, faith, the acceptance.

 

[Teflon93]

I attended the American Chesterton Society’s annual Conference over the weekend. One of the speakers was a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase “bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’”. I was wondering, where did that phrase come from, precisely what does it mean, and how is it supported by biblical exegesis?

It means nothing.

 

[sandusky]

Della:

I attended the American Chesterton Society’s annual Conference over the weekend. One of the speakers was a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase “bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’”. I was wondering, where did that phrase come from, precisely what does it mean, and how is it supported by biblical exegesis?

Puritan John Flavel (1628-1691) opens a collection of his sermons titled, The Fountain of Life Opened Up: A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory, with this:**“Knowledge is man’s excellency above the beasts that perish (Ps. 32:9). The knowledge of Christ is the Christian’s excellency above the Heathen (1 Cor. 1:23, 24). Practical and saving knowledge of Christ is the sincere Christian’s excellency above the self-cozening hypocrite (Heb. 6:4, 6). But methodical and well-digested knowledge of Christ is the strong Christian’s excellency above the weak (Heb. 5:12, 13, 14). A saving, though an immethodical knowledge of Christ, will bring us to heaven (John 17:2) but a regular and methodical, as well as a saving knowledge of him, will bring heaven to us (Col. 2:2, 3). For such is the excellency thereof, even above all other knowledge of Christ, that it renders the understanding judicious, the memory tenacious, and the heart highly and fixedly joyous” (1:21).**A self-explanatory term—as the dating of Flavel’s life shows, it’s been in use for some time.

 

[guanophore]

I attended the American Chesterton Society’s annual Conference over the weekend. One of the speakers was a Presbyterian theologian who used the phrase “bringing people to a ‘saving knowledge of Christ’”. I was wondering, where did that phrase come from, precisely what does it mean, and how is it supported by biblical exegesis?

In this case, it is speaking of the knowledge that comes from intimate relationship, not sexual, as is common in the OT, but spiritual. As Paul writes to the Ephesians “that I may know
Him, in the fellowship of His sufferings, and the power of His resurrection”.

Jesus says of those who confess His name without obedience to Him "away from Me, I never knew you. This intimate knowledge of a person that results from close relationship (as Paul notes, unity in suffering and in power) is also called in the NT “the obedience of faith”. It is a knowledge that is reflection in action.

 

[Della]

Thank you all for your great replies. The phrase bothered me because it seems to be saying that one must have a special knowledge of Christ in order to be saved. Doesn’t that mean that only those who can understand the concept will be saved? Isn’t that what the Gnostics were saying? IOW, is this an old heresy dressed up in language meant to present it as the Gospel?

And what does it say about the Sacraments and their efficacy? Doesn’t such a concept deny the need for them, especially that of baptism?

You see, I’m not a trained theologian, but the phrase didn’t ring true to me, because of the objections I’ve cited. I simply wouldn’t know how to approach a theologian who believed it and show him how it is wrong (assuming it is wrong and incompatible with the true Gospel message).

 

[NotWorthy]

What about one of John’s Epistles that says, “… I write these things to you so you will know that you are saved”. Of course the three “dots” in the beginning cover about 21 “if’s” that are all necessary for salvation. I think that most people who preach the surety of salvation tend to forget the 21 conditions that John mentions.