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I have just finished reading Charles Templeton's book Farewell to God.
Templeton states that he became a "born again Christian" in 1936 when he asked Christ to come into his heart. He states that at that moment he felt "a radiant, overwhelming, all-pervasive happiness" as he whispered over and over "Thank you Lord. Thank you."
He became a pastor and in 1945 joined Billy Graham and his "Youth for Christ" movement. He preached for decades across the U.S. and Canada. He became the Director of Evangelism for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. He trained ministers, lectured in theological seminaires and wrote two books. In 1957 he left the ministry and became an atheist. A belief that he held to his death in 2001.
Jesus clearly teaches that anyone who denies Him will be denied by the Father. Charles Templeton denied God.
My question is this: Was he saved? Was his salvation secured the minute he accepted Christ in 1937 or was he condemned to hell for his denial of God?
Was this atheist saved?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by saved by grace, Oct 15, 2011.
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The only one who knows the answer to that is God. Satan is a deceiver and liar. If Templeton was a believer, Satan did his job to a T. His journey away from God began when he saw a mother holding her child on the cover of a Time magazine where the child died due to a lack of rain. Templeton began to view things through man's viewpoint and understanding and spiraled down from there.
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They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. Only those who are in a state of abiding are those who are saved. -
Ruiz and Freeatlast, both you agree that he was never saved to begin with but that, seems to me, presents a major problem.
Since you believe he was never saved to begin with wouldn't that mean that if Mr. Templeton had died in 1937 the very "next " day after he accepted Christ into his life he would have gone to hell since he wasn't truly saved he just thought he was?
Wouldn't that meant that there is no such thing as assurance of salvation? Wouldn't that mean that no one can know for sure if he is truly saved, he might just "think" he is? -
This abiding? Is this effort? What is it and what is its source? -
Having known Charles Templeton personally, he was never an atheist. He did become an agnostic after completing studies at a liberal college. On his death bed, he did confess Jesus and His saving grace. He and Billy Graham remained friends throughout.
Charles was the pastor of the Avenue Road Church, prior to another famous preacher.
We all experience periods of doubt, but that does not negate our born again experience. Some are more outwardly expressive than others because they are more public.
Just another problem we face with labels.
Cheers,
Jim -
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I trusted in Christ 30 years ago and I don't believe in all that time He forgot His covenant with me or abandoned me. I was justified ONE time and it was in the past. -
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This is why I harp in 1John. The church has been lead down a path that the bible does not teach. We now teach backsliding, which the NT never teaches and in fact contradicts that teaching, but because many believe a believer can return to sinning many reject what the bible says.
Our salvation is a state we live in and it is verified by how we live in that state each day. It is impossible to be in the state of being saved unto good works and living in the practice of sin at the same time. That is what John is trying to get the church see. It is impossible!
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (practice) sin, because he is born of God.
So because we live in a state of being saved day by day we have to always look to the present for assurance, not the past. -
Ok, I get what you guys are saying. Sorry I misunderstood.
I do think there is a difference between being an infant Christian and being a backslidden Christian. The Corinthian church had many babes in Christ and were doing stuff they shouldn't have been doing (I believe in ignorance and immaturity) until Paul corrected them. -
Also, Amy's correct. If we are relying merely on today it becomes a works based salvation. Justification is an event, a moment in time. We rely on Christ's work and what He promises at the moment of justification. -
WebDog,
I really wasn't replying about Templeton. I have no idea or ability to suggest whether he was saved or not. Thankfully, it's not my job.
I think we're saying the same thing. I am not saying that getting saved or staying saved has naything to do with works. It's not, at all. What I'm saying is that if a person never shows any fruit, but bases his salvation on some kind of experience, he may not be saved. I think this is the point of James. Not that works saves you, but that works reveal salvation.
Clearer? I think we both agree, but maybe stressing different points. -
Can a "born again" Christian who denies God be saved? Can someone who influenced others to become atheists be saved? Maybe he had a death bed confession and maybe he didn't and why would that matter if he was "saved" in 1937. Seems like you are saying his deathbed confession is what saved him. Isn't that a "work?" -
If he thought he could save himself, then he thought he could un-save himself.
If he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation, then he is saved, for Our Lord cannot deny himself.
Today, if one is saved through the faith of Jesus Christ there is just no way out of the Body of Christ. If not then there is no way to get in.
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