By way of preface, it is important to underscore the Reformational convictions in WSF that Piper repeatedly affirms – the sinner is justified through faith alone apart from works; faith is purely receptive in justification; the sinner is justified solely on the basis of Christ’s righteousness; justifying righteousness is imputed to the sinner and received through faith alone; neither our love to God nor our love to human beings is justifying. These convictions are sincerely held and WSF in no way is attempting to overturn, much less to undermine, them.
But it must be also said that WSF’s thesis that saving faith is essentially affectional, and the arguments advanced in support of that thesis, are unable to sustain the weight of Piper’s Reformational convictions. We may see this dynamic by pursuing two complementary lines of reflection. First, the thesis of WSF is not proven. Second, the thesis of WSF raises a significant problem.
First, the thesis of WSF is not proven. That is to say, WSF fails to establish its thesis from the texts of Scripture that are brought forward to support it. The burden that WSF shoulders is to demonstrate that treasuring Christ (delighting in Christ, loving Christ) is an element of saving faith, not merely a fruit, evidence, or accompaniment of saving faith. Read more»
Guy Waters, “Faith and Treasuring Christ: A Review Article,” Reformed Faith and Practice, vol. 8, issue 1 (2023)
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Seems Piper doesn’t think about faith loveapart from affections. Nor is he considering different types of those who have faith. I’ll admit I’m a sensitive guy,I may have more emotions related to faith than others. But a rough neck, someone in special forces in the military probably won’t.
That doesn’t mean they don’t have faith. I’ve been around long enough to understand that lots of men in his position want to be the standard. I love Jesus this much and you should too or you might not be saved. I think i was one of those guys myself once. I thought everyone should be like me.
Victor,
Piper’s approach, as Guy says, wants to avoid the Roman error of making affections, which, in this context, means change more than feelings (although it involves feelings) but it fails to do so. It becomes “faith formed by love” (obedience).
What is WSF? The Westminster Standards of Faith I would imagine, but I don’t want to assume.
Hi Chris,
This is a reference of Piper’s book, What Is Saving Faith?
Good thing I didn’t assume!