Interview with Michael Wittmer

Justin Taylor @ http://theologica.blogspot.com recently intervied Michael Wittmer, Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, on issues related to his excellent new book, Don’t Stop Believing: Why Living Like Jesus Is Not Enough.

He notes:

I am also conservative because I believe that right doctrine matters as much as good behavior, and in fact the latter only truly proceeds from the former. I also believe that this right doctrine is the historic beliefs of the church found in Scripture, the Apostles and Nicene Creed, and most faithfully expounded in the Reformed branch of Protestant Christianity.

He classifies various beliefs for Christians into three categories: (1) what they must believe, (2) what they must not reject, and (3) what they should believe.

In the book of Acts, the bare minimum that a person must know and believe to be saved was that he was a sinner and that Jesus saved him from his sin. As Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:29-31; cf. 10:43). This is enough to counter the postmodern innovator argument that we can be saved without knowing and believing in Jesus.