Grace in Focus – What Does it Mean to Turn a Wandering Sinner Back to the Truth?

Episode Date: November 24, 2025
Speakers: Bob Wilkin (D), Sam Marr (C)
Length: ~13 minutes

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr analyze James 5:19-20, examining whether the passage’s promise to "save a soul from death" refers to eternal salvation or something else. The discussion highlights the distinction between justification and sanctification, with a focus on Free Grace Theology’s interpretation of key biblical terms. The hosts critique common evangelical interpretations, provide exegetical insights, and draw on scholarly commentary and parallel passages to clarify the practical implications for believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reading and Context of James 5:19-20

[01:17]

• Bob and Sam begin by citing the passage:
  “If anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
• The focus is whether this salvation is from eternal condemnation or physical/temporal consequences.

2. Eternal Salvation vs. Physical Death

[02:20 - 03:53]

• Common evangelical view: Salvation here is often interpreted as rescue from eternal damnation.
• Bob’s rebuttal:
  • Drawing on John 3:16, Bob points out that the biblical condition for eternal life is simply belief in Jesus, not “turning from the error of your way.”
  • “There’s nothing about turning from the error of your way. So I think it’s important that we recognize from the get-go that this can't be talking about saving a straying believer from eternal condemnation, because the condition for escaping eternal condemnation is belief, not repentance.” — Bob Wilkin [02:43]

3. Critical Review of Other Commentators

[03:33 - 05:21]

• Peter Davids (cited by Sam):

  • Davids suggests James’ goal is to “save them from damnation and procure forgiveness for their sins."

• Bob objects:

  • Points out “brethren” refers to fellow believers, not non-believers.
  • “An atheist can’t stray from the truth because you have to actually believe the truth to stray from it, right?” — Bob Wilkin [04:22]

• Doug Moo (cited by Bob):

  • Moo connects the passage to “eternal death” as motivation for moral reform.
  • Bob responds: “Well, the context says nothing about eternal death. And it says nothing about damnation. It just talks about death.”
  • Reference to John 11:26:
    • Jesus says, “Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.”
    • Bob emphasizes Jesus doesn’t attach repentance from sins to eternal life, only belief.
    • “We're secure by faith, not by turning from sins.” — Bob Wilkin [06:15]

4. The Greek Text and Use of "Save" and "Soul"

[07:00 - 08:33]

• Bob explains the Greek words sozo (save) and psuke (soul/life) often refer to physical life, not just eternal salvation.
• Example: 1 Peter 3:20 — Noah and his family were saved physically in the ark, not spiritually.
• Throughout James, the term “brethren” always indicates believers.
• Quote from Zane Hodges:
  • “A Christian's efforts for the restoration of his brother...are life saving in scope. If successful, he will save a soul from death, but he will do more than that, since a restored sinner receives the gracious forgiveness of God…The restored sinner's multitude of sins are now out of sight through the pardon he has received.” — C quoting Zane Hodges [08:33]

5. Restoration and Fellowship, Not Regeneration

[09:21 - 11:20]

• Bob relates James 5 to:
  • Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4–7): The sheep is already in the fold (believer), and being returned is restoration, not initial salvation.
  • Prodigal Son (Luke 15): The son was always a son; his return is restoration to fellowship, not a new birth.
• “We need to see in James 5:19–20, a restoration to fellowship with God and an extension of the life. Because a person who walks in rebellion against God is going to shorten his or her life, whether they're a believer or an unbeliever.” — Bob Wilkin [10:27]

6. Dangers of Over-Spiritualizing “Salvation”

[11:20 - 12:05]

• Sam: If all salvation terminology is seen as "eternal salvation," we miss practical instructions for believers.
• “You’re not going to understand what believers are supposed to do for one another if it’s always just eternal salvation.” — Sam Marr [11:34]
• Bob points out only one possible reference to new birth in James (1:18), which still doesn’t use the term "salvation."
• In James, the word “save” is always about deliverance from temporal difficulty.

7. Exegetical Takeaways

[12:05 - 13:06]

• Bob:
  • The word “save” appears five times in James; all refer to rescue from hardship, not from hell.
  • “If you think everything is about regeneration...you're going to be sadly wrong about seven times out of ten in the New Testament. Because 70% of the time in the New Testament, the words save and salvation refer to being delivered from some difficulty in this life. And that's especially true in James.” — Bob Wilkin [12:35]
• Encouragement to study and teach this passage accurately, recognizing its true context and implications for Christian living.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “An atheist can’t stray from the truth because you have to actually believe the truth to stray from it, right?” — Bob Wilkin [04:22]
• “We're secure by faith, not by turning from sins.” — Bob Wilkin [06:15]
• “If you think everything is about regeneration or salvation from eternal condemnation, you’re going to be sadly wrong about seven times out of ten in the New Testament.” — Bob Wilkin [12:35]
• “You’re not going to understand what believers are supposed to do for one another if it’s always just eternal salvation.” — Sam Marr [11:34]

Key Timestamps

• [01:17]: Reading James 5:19–20; setting the scope of the discussion.
• [02:43]: Bob outlines why “saving a soul from death” cannot be eternal salvation.
• [03:33]: Quote and critique of Peter Davids’ commentary.
• [04:44]: Discussing the term “brethren” and its implications for audience.
• [05:21]: Reference to eternal security in John 11:26.
• [08:33]: Zane Hodges’ commentary on restoration and forgiveness.
• [09:21]: Analogies with the lost sheep and prodigal son.
• [12:35]: Summary of the uses of “save” in James and the New Testament.

Conclusion

Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr argue that James 5:19–20 refers not to a believer’s eternal salvation but to the restoration of wayward Christians, rescuing them from the temporal, often fatal consequences of sin and restoring fellowship. They caution against the tendency to spiritualize every mention of “salvation” in the New Testament as referring to eternal life, emphasizing the importance of proper context and exegesis for both assurance and daily Christian living.