It makes no mention of repentance. While it is true that without the Atonement of Jesus Christ no one could be saved, “faith alone” without repentance does not save anyone either. The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for those who have sinned to repent of their sins and be forgiven. Genuine repentance without faith still saves; while faith without repentance damns people faster than no faith at all. A pagan who out of a good conscience genuinely repents of his sins will be forgiven, and will not be held accountable for his sins on judgement day; whereas a believer who does not repent will receive a greater condemnation (Matthew 25:14–46; Luke 12:47–48; 19:15–26; John 5:28–29; Acts 10:34–35; Romans 2:6–16). Note in particular the reference to all nations (and religions) in Matthew 25:32; John 5:28; Acts 10:35.
On judgement day, judgement will take place on the basis of people’s works, not their faith alone: “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47–48)
“Penal substitution” means nothing without repentance. It is false theology if repentance is not made an integral part of it. “Imputed righteousness” is even worse. It is an attempt to eliminate repentance as a requirement for salvation. The correct theology is forgiveness and remission of sins through faith and repentance. And to “repent” means to stop sinning. It means to stop doing what is wrong, and start doing what is right. It doesn’t just mean “changing your mind”. It means to “bring forth fruit meet for repentance” (Matt. 3:8). It means to stop breaking God’s commandments, and start keeping them. And keeping God’s commandments is not the same as “works”. It is not the same as “saving yourself,” or “earning your own salvation”. It means doing what is good and right in the sight of God. It means doing good, and abstaining from evil. Ultimately there is no salvation without keeping God’s commandments. The Atonement makes it possible for those who have sinned to repent and be forgiven; but they still need to keep God’s commandments to be saved. That is the true meaning of repentance.
What makes Calvinism and Reformed theology such an abominable heresy is that it effectively cancels out and eliminates the requirement of repentance and keeping God’s commandments to be saved. It says all you have to do is to “believe,” and you are done! Repenting and keeping God’s commandments is something that happens to you willy-nilly once you have “believed,” whether you like it or not! That is the recipe for damnation, not salvation. James says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). And Jesus’s constant refrain in the New Testament is, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about doing, not just hearing or believing. It is about repenting and keeping God’s commandments. “Faith alone” is a damnable heresy. It is an attempt to excuse and justify people in their sins. And the sooner these guys learn to get rid of it, the better it will be for everyone including themselves.
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