Backloading for Dummies

Backloading for Dummies

Backloading is a subtle but significant distortion of the gospel that is often overlooked or misunderstood. In this article, we will explore what backloading is, how it differs from frontloading, and why it is important to guard against this error.

Opening Thoughts

Before delving into the concept of backloading, let us begin with a word of prayer and a reflection on God’s Word:

Dear God, thank you for giving us your clear word. Thank you for allowing us to see what it says. Bless the readers, and may this article bring clarity to their understanding of your grace. In Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm 37:1-3 says: Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Defining Backloading and Frontloading

To understand backloading, it is helpful first to define frontloading. Frontloading occurs when someone overtly claims that good works are necessary for salvation, often presenting a faith-plus-works gospel. This is common in Catholic teaching and other similar doctrines.

Backloading, however, is more subtle. Backloaders claim that salvation is by faith alone but insist that good works are an inevitable or necessary result of true faith. For example, they may say, "We are not saved by works, but if you are truly saved, you will have the works." This teaching often masquerades as biblical truth but subtly undermines the doctrine of grace.

Common Backloading Arguments

Here are four common ways backloaders distort the gospel:

1. **Automatic Works:** They claim that a true Christian will automatically do good works. 2. **Proof of Salvation:** They assert that works are the evidence of genuine salvation, rather than what saves. 3. **Other Conditions:** They avoid using the term "works" but substitute other requirements like bearing fruit, exuding holiness, repenting of sins, or undergoing a changed life. 4. **Necessary Result:** They declare that works are a necessary result of saving faith.

Why Backloading Is Dangerous

Backloading creates a false assurance of salvation by adding conditions to faith in Christ. While doing good works or encouraging others to do good works is not inherently wrong, insisting on their necessity for salvation perverts the gospel of grace. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians 2:8-10, which says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The key difference between free grace preaching and backloading is this: a free grace preacher will affirm that good works are optional and encouraged, whereas a backloader will insist that works must accompany true salvation.

Recognizing Backloaders

Here are two primary signs of backloaders:

1. **Use of Adjectives:** They describe faith with adjectives like "saving faith," "true faith," or "authentic faith." This creates a false category of faith that the Bible does not support. Luke 7:50 simply says, "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." 2. **The Disclaimer "But":** They affirm salvation by grace through faith but then add a negating "but." For example: "We are saved by grace through faith, but if you're truly saved, you will have the works."

Conclusion

Backloading is a dangerous distortion of the gospel because it subtly shifts trust away from Christ and onto ourselves. As believers, we must guard against any teaching that adds conditions to salvation, whether overtly or covertly. The gospel is simple: we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Any addition to this message undermines its truth.

Dear God, thank you for your clear word. Bless the readers and help them to discern truth from error. In Jesus' name, amen.