Eternal Security - False Teaching of a Baptist Pastor

Doctrine Article - D.0113_02

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1. Dr. Kirkland is not unlike most Baptist pastors. He believes in 'Eternal Security' and teaches it accordingly. But, as a respected author and leader in Baptist circles, Dr. Kirkland's influence in promoting this false doctrine really needs to be challenged by bible-believing Christians everywhere.

2. In his website article*, "By the Book, Issue 1, Nov 2007" (no longer available), Dr. Kirkland analyzed a passage from Matthew chapter seven and commented on his own belief that those who have made a one-time profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are 'eternally secure' irrespective of what the plain text of this passage appears to say:

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matt 7:13,14)

3. In reply to our question as to what his understanding of the word "destruction" might be, Dr. Kirkland counselled us, as follows:

When studying a text it is necessary to first determine the context of the Scripture.

Christ was very obviously talking to Christians.

Matthew 5:12 - "…his disciples came unto him:

Matthew 5:2 - And he opened his mouth, and taught them."

V.13 - "Ye are the salt of the earth."

V.14 - "Ye are the light of the world."

V.12 - "…your reward in heaven."

V.16 - "…your Father which is in heaven."

V.48 - "…your Father which is in heaven."

Chapter 6:1-"…your Father which is in heaven."

V. 32 "…your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need…"

Chapter 7:11-"…your Father which is in heaven."

In keeping with the context the word "destruction" would need to be something other than going to Hell.

The same Greek word translated destruction here has been translated "waste" in two other places in the New Testament. Matthew 26:8 concerning oil says, "...what is the purpose of this waste?"

The dictionary says the meaning of the word destroy is "to ruin the stricture [sic] of something."

These definitions of the word "destruction" fit in with the context of the verse. The definition of destruction meaning Hell does not fit in with the context of the verse.

Example -"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, (will ruin the structure of the Christian life causing the life to be a waste spiritually) and many there be which go in thereat:

4. On the contrary, we had understood this text to be a relatively straightforward commentary by Jesus on the two distinctively polar destinations that await believers and unbelievers, respectively - "life" referring to eternal life, and "destruction" referring to eternal death. If this simple reading is not sufficient to provide accurate understanding, then a study of the word "enter" from the same verse might resolve the ambiguity. The biblical use of the word "enter" in conjunction with the word "gate" always connotes movement from one physical place into another – such as from earth to heaven ("life"), or from earth to hell ("destruction").

5. But let's examine Dr. Kirkland's reasoning:

a. It is true that context matters, and it is true that Jesus was speaking to his disciples.

b. Dr. Kirkland commits the fallacy of 'begging the question' by stating that the context for "destruction" would require a meaning "something other than going to Hell". ('Begging the Question" - He is asking the reader to accept, as a premise, the very thing that he purports to be proving as a conclusion.) The sole basis for Dr. Kirkland to commit this circular reasoning is to keep and to propagate his own belief in 'eternal security'.

c. Despite claiming to 'use' the King James Bible, Dr. Kirkland appeals to what he considers to be 'higher authorities' - the "Greek" and the "dictionary" - thereby opening a pandora's box of dispute about final authority, beyond the scope of this article.

d. "The definition of destruction meaning Hell does not fit in with the context of the verse" only because it refutes Dr. Kirkland's doctrine of 'eternal security'. There is no other reason to reject the plain meaning that "life" refers to "heaven" and "destruction" refers to "hell".

e. As one example of his oversight, when considering the "context", Dr. Kirkland states that Jesus is "obviously talking to Christians", but he ignores Matt 5:29 and 5:30 and 7:19 - the greater context - wherein Jesus is warning these very people - believers - that negligence in maintaining their faith will result in them being cast_into_hell_fire.

f. Rather than adhering blindly to his preferred belief in eternal security, Dr. Kirkland ought to adjust his beliefs to account for a believer maintaining his faith 'unto salvation' (Rom 10:10; I Pet 1:5), unto the day of redemption (Eph 4:30), unto righteousness (Rom 10:10; I Pet 2:24), then he would have no conflict with these passages, and more importantly, he would be rightly dividing the word of truth.

6. The contrasts in this verse are obvious:

a. strait vs wide

b. narrow vs broad

c. few vs many

d. life vs destruction

7. Therefore, "destruction", by the hermeneutic principle of allowing scripture to interpret itself, means the opposite of "life".

You can trust the King James Bible exactly as written. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (I Thess 5:21)

* Dr. Kirkland's original article appears to have been removed from his website. Nevertheless, he continues to teach the false doctrine underlying it. Also, his arguments had been presented for a time, as if they were valid; and others may still adhere to them. Therefore, we post this article as a continual counter-argument against them.