Repentance is Not "Turning From Your Sin" in Relation to Salvation

Alright, in summing up the issues in this debate, we actually don't need to look at any issue beyond the definition of salvation. While I would vastly have preferred to actually debate the issue of whether or not repentance is "turning from your sin" in relation to salvation, Pro has in essence made this impossible, since we share identical views regarding the connections between "turning from your sin" and salvation. Let's look at the points brought up by Pro. First, Pro argued, "The definition of salvation does not necessitate the inclusion of salvation from the power and presence of sin. You are imposing these two definitions onto the one I am attempting to argue about. " I have two responses to this. First: the only definition of salvation presented in this debate does indeed necessitate the inclusion of salvation from the power and presence of sin. Sanctification and glorification are just as much a part of salvation as is justification. You are not saved if you are simply justified without sanctification. This is why the author of Hebrews instructs us to pursue "the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Sanctification is indeed a part of salvation. Second: Pro has identified the fundamental problem with Pro's position. Pro is attempting to narrow the definition of salvation to include justification alone. Yet as we've seen already, this is not the sole aspect of salvation. Thus, Pro is failing to forward the argument expressed that repentance is not "turning from your sins" in relation to salvation. The second point that Pro made was an attack against the analogy I presented of a person arguing that citrus has no relation to fruit, and then defining fruit as all non-citrus fruits. Yet this is exactly what Pro has done. Pro has taken the definition of salvation, and narrowed it to mean the one aspect of salvation to which repentance as "turning from your sins" has no relation. Then Pro argues that repentance so understood has no relation to this aspect of salvation. It is an entirely unreasonable assumption. Thirdly, Pro stated that I had not adequately addressed his point that "turning from your sins" has anything to do with salvation. But that's exactly the problem. Again, I would vastly have preferred to debate on whether repentance, understood as "turning from your sins," is related to salvation. But when it comes to salvation, both Pro and I entirely agree that "turning from your sins" is a crucial element of salvation, namely the aspects of sanctification and glorification. In essence, we both negate the original argument that repentance is not "turning from your sins" in relation to salvation. Next, Pro states, "The definition of 'salvation' which I have been referring to throughout this debate does specify that salvation applies to justification only (salvation from the penalty of sin). Of course I have no problem with 'turning from your sins' in relation to sanctification, but this is why we call it 'sanctification' and not 'salvation. ' Your three-part definition of salvation is arbitrary. " I have three responses. First: Pro speaks of a "definition of 'salvation'" to which Pro has apparently referred throughout this debate. But Pro has referred to no definition of salvation. The only definition of salvation presented in this debate was presented by Con. Second: My opponent said that there is a reason why we call "sanctification" "sanctification" rather than "salvation. " The only response I believe necessary is that there is also a reason why salvation from the penalty of sin is called "justification" rather than "salvation. " Third: While Pro argues that my three-part definition of salvation is arbitrary, it is most certainly not. It is a commonly accepted definition by most biblical scholars. Salvation is a complex topic that includes (at least) justification, sanctification, and glorification (though some would also include regeneration). On the other hand, Pro's definition is most certainly arbitrary, taking salvation as a whole, and defining it as a single aspect of the whole. Finally, we see indeed that all other arguments made by Pro are inconsequential. I absolutely agree when he says that "turning from your sins" is not necessary for justification, but unfortunately, this is not the statement that we are debating. Rather, we are debating whether "turning from your sins" is a crucial aspect of salvation. On this, both Pro and I agree. "Turning from your sins" is indeed a crucial aspect of salvation.