7.137 Can you lose your salvation?

Lois Malcolm joins our hosts to explore the deep questions of salvation, forgiveness, and repentance, discussing the balance between God’s justice and mercy and how faith transforms lives.

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In this episode of Enter the Bible, hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston are joined by the Olin and Amanda Fjelstad Reigstad Chair of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, Professor Lois Malcolm. Together, they dive into the complexities of salvation, forgiveness, and repentance in the Christian faith. They discuss whether salvation can be lost, the unconditional nature of God’s grace, and how faith transforms lives. Explore the balance between God’s justice and mercy, offering hope for believers while acknowledging the mystery of eternal life and the impact of our choices.

Original question submitted: 

“Does Luke 7:36-50 suggest that Jesus’ forgiveness of sins encompasses past, present, and future sins, and how does this passage relate to the doctrine of eternal security for believers?”

Scripture references 

Repentance and salvation 

Today's Episode Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker Luther Seminary headshot
Katie Langston

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Lois E. Malcolm

Lois Malcolm holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. She has taught at Luther Seminary since 1994. Malcolm grew up in the Philippines as the daughter of missionaries. Before becoming a theologian, she received a Master of Arts in applied linguistics from the University of Minnesota. She taught linguistics and English as a second language courses in the U. S. and overseas. Her books include “Holy Spirit: Creative Power in Our Lives” (Fortress, 2009); “God;” an edited volume for “The Westminster Collection of Sources of Christian Theology” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2012); and three forthcoming books: “A Theological Commentary on Second Corinthians” for the “Belief” series (Westminster John Knox); “Sophia Cries Out in the Street: Wisdom in Christian Theology” (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press); and “Christian Understandings of God: The Historical Trajectory,” “The Fortress Historical Trajectories Series” (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press).

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Kathryn M. Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker came to Luther Seminary as an assistant professor of Old Testament in 2006. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisc., before coming to Luther. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to workingpreacher.org, Word & World and the author of Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie works as the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversees digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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