Pastor Brad Strand Is Wrong To Call Eternal Security A “Secondary Doctrine”

1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Before I get into my article, let me say that I have tremendous admiration for Pastor Brad Strand. Today, he has been faithfully pastoring a small country church in Texas for decades, a man after my own heart. Brother Strand was one of my favorite Bible professors at Hyles-Anderson College in the late 1980s. He was already laboring on his intriguing Bible commentary back then, which he told us about. He spent 30,000 hours over 33 years preparing his invaluable Bible commentary. I bought five copies (2 new and 3 used).

That being said, as a fundamentalist Bible preacher myself, I feel compelled to correct doctrinal issues when I humbly disagree with any preacher, regardless of who they are. I have corrected Pastor Jack Hyles (my hero of the Christian faith) when I thought he was wrong.

That being said, in his commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12, Pastor Strand points out that the Bible concedes we see through a glass darkly for now, which means that no one has it all figured out. 1st Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” He uses this premise to teach that as believers we ought not be dogmatic or condescending toward our Christian brethren in secondary doctrines.

Here is Brother Strand's disturbing commentary for 1st Corinthians 13:12...

Paul admitted that we know “little” (For now we see through a glass, darkly) compared to what we shall know when CHRIST returns. If 1 Corinthians 13:12 emphasizes anything, it stresses that we ought to be slow to be dismissive (flippant and indifferent) and condescending toward others who may hold a different theological view concerning 

“secondary doctrines not related to salvation; such as: (1) when the rapture of the church is to occur (Lk 17:27); (2) eternal security” (Jn 10:28-29, Mt 13:44-45, Gal 5:16-17,21 and II Tim 1:12); (3) Calvinism (Mt 28:19a), predestination (Rom 8:29 and II Thes 2:13); (4) differences between the versions of the Bible (Lk 11:51, Acts 7:45 and Heb 10:39); (4) gap theory (Gen 1:2b, 28c); (6) music standards (Psa 47:7 and Eph 5:19); (7) personal standards (Rom 14:1, 22a and 1 Cor 6:12); (8) tongues (Mk 16:17a, Acts 2:3a, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13a, 17-18 & 10:44-46 & 19:6); (9) global warming (Gen 1:25, II Pet 3:7 and Jud 21:25); and (10) etc. (Rom 14:1b and Phil 1:17). According to Paul truth exists, but it is our process of acquiring it that is limited and imprecise (Deut 29:29). 

NOTE: Outside of the doctrine of salvation (Gen 49:18, Exo 14:13, 30-31, Psa 74:12, Jonah 2:9, Hab 1:5, Mt 7:13-14, Lk 7:50, Jn 4:14 & 5:29 & 6:28-29, Rom 13:11, Titus 3:5a and Heb 6:1c), which came to us via great LIGHT (Gen 1:3b, Lk 2:30-32 & 18:34 and Jn 1:3-5), every other theological subject is, at best, clouded. Meaning: The Word of God can appear to us at times in dark speeches (1 Cor 13:12 and Num 12:7-8). —Pastor Brad Strand, The Strand Study Bible, p. 1902

Now, kindly said, I would agree with Pastor Strand that issues like global warming, music standards, gap theory and personal standards are non-essential “secondary doctrines” not worth fighting over in the churches. However, I strongly disagree with him that important issues such as eternal security, predestination, Calvinism and differences between the versions of the Bible are mere “secondary doctrines” that we shouldn't be dogmatic over.

Eternal Security Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Brother Strand goes on in his commentary (on the same page for 1st Corinthians 13:12) to define “dogmatism” as: “the foolish art of deceiving one's self into seeing absolutes where they don't exist.” Huh? Say what? That is ridiculous when we're talking about the biblical doctrine of eternal security! I detect a level of contempt in Pastor Strand's words for those Christians who debate over these matters. That is not good.

Eternal Life and Eternal Security are NOT two separate Bible doctrines, they are one and the same teaching. If you have Eternal Life, you have Eternal Security! I am surprised that Brother Strand considers Eternal Security a non-essential doctrine. How can Pastor Strand glibly dismiss Eternal Security as being a mere “secondary doctrine” that we shouldn't be dogmatic to fuss over? How can he teach that Eternal Security is not an absolute truth? I couldn't disagree with him more, respectfully.

Dear reader, if you deny the great doctrine of Eternal Security, then you are saying that we must DO SOMETHING to remain saved. If you think you can lose it, then you clearly believe YOU must do something to keep it, and that is WORKS. Salvation is of the LORD, not man (Jonah 2:9). The only thing that you and I contribute to our own salvation is the sin that made it necessary. What do you mean that Eternal Security is a secondary doctrine? No Sir. No way!

The biblical truth of Eternal Security is just as important and worthy of fighting over to contend for the faith, as is the gospel itself.

Calvinism Is NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

Furthermore, Calvinism is of the Devil. John Calvin (1509-1564) is either burning in Hell now and forever, or else there are two different gospels. John Calvin emphasized that to get to Heaven, one must repent to turn from your sinning, have faith in Jesus Christ, and live according to God's commandments until death. This is NOT the gospel.

Perhaps the most notable Calvinist of our generation is Dr. Albert Mohler (president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) in Kentucky. Richard Albert Mohler Jr. (born 1959) has been the theologically incompetent President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Hillcrest, Kentucky since 1993. The man is a brilliant writer and loves to read many books. In that respect, he is a man after my own heart. I humbly think Dr. Mohler is a good man and sincere in his beliefs. That being said, he is unfortunately WRONG on God's simple plan of salvation. ...

“We don't affirm easy-believism.” —Dr. Albert Mohler Jr. 'Have We Really Misunderstood the Gospel for 2000 Years?' (23:47 time in YouTube video)

What a darn fool! Dr. Mohler is openly a 5-point Calvinist, an infidel, as is his mentor Dr. John MacArthur (1939-2025). These men are theologically dangerous, despite both being likable personalities and good men (as far as sinful humans go). Although I admire certain aspects of both men, I also loathe their corrupt view of God's simple plan of salvation.

How can Pastor Strand carelessly make light of the damnable false teachings of John Calvin, which are dooming millions of men's souls to everlasting fire, torment and damnation in Hell? There is no way that Albert Mohler is a born again believer when he openly teaches that as Calvinist's, “We don't affirm easy-believism.” Dear reader, if you think getting saved is hard, YOU ARE NOT SAVED! What do you mean you don't affirm Easy-Believism?

Was it not easy for 3,000 people to get saved on the Day of Pentecost? Sure it was easy, they gladly received the gospel which the Apostle Peter preached unto them (Acts 2:41).

Was it not easy for Cornelius and his companions to get saved? Sure it was, they simply believed the gospel truth which Peter preached unto them (Acts 10:43-44).

Jesus likened getting saved to looking at an object on a pole (John 3:14-16).

Jesus likened getting saved to drinking some water (John 4:13-15).

Jesus likened getting saved to eating some bread (John 6:48-58).

Jesus likened getting saved to walking through a door (John 10:1, 9).

Albert Mohler is a fool. It is very free, simple and yes, easy, to get to Heaven. You simply need to believe that Jesus did it all for you.

Therefore, I have to strongly disagree with Pastor Strand that Calvinism is merely a “secondary doctrine” that Christians should not be dogmatic to oppose and expose! This is not a matter that we are in the dark about. We can be absolutely certain that all five tenets of Calvinism are FALSE.

Calvinism teaches the heresy of Limited Atonement (i.e., that Christ only died for the redeemed, not all men). The very idea that we cannot know absolutely that Christ died for all men is absurd. 1st John 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Brother Strand is very wrong in this important matter. We can know of an absolute certainty that Calvinism is blatant heresy!

And the same argument can be made for predestination. It doesn't take a trained theologian to expose Calvinism as blatant theological fraud. If you'd like to learn more about the false teaching of predestination as taught by John Calvin (1509-1564), and the correct biblical teaching of predestination, I highly recommend reading this free book in .pdf format by Pastor Max D. Younce (1935-2023) titled: 'NOT CHOSEN TO SALVATION.'

RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

The Differences Between Bible Versions Are NOT A Minor Secondary Doctrine

I am appalled that Pastor Strand would glibly make light of the threat of Satan's corruptible seed. The corrupt modern Bible revisions change God's simple plan of salvation, by redefining what it mans to repent and believe.

The Greek verb for “repent” in Mark 1:15 in the King James Bible is metanoeo, which means, “to think differently.” It is a change of mind. It DOESN'T mean to “change your hearts and lives,” which is what the corrupt ERV says!!! . . .

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) — Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” [emphasis added]

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) — Mark 1:15, “He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is very near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!” [emphasis added]

That is wrong, wrong, wrong! You don't have to change your own life as a requirement to be saved. Rather, it is the indwelling Holy Spirit that comes into a person at the time of salvation that changes one's heart and life, over time as one grows in grace by nurturing on the milk of the Word (1st Peter 2:2).

To “repent” just means to think differently. The word itself doesn't even tell us what to change our mind about. For that, we need to examine a particular Scripture passages' content to determine what to change our mind about. In the case of Mark 1:15 the Bible plainly tells us. We need to think differently to believe the gospel to be saved.

Many foolish men have made a religion out of repentance. They have made a Christ out of repentance. Instead of repentance facilitating (to make possible) believing to be saved, wicked but sincere religious men have made it into an additional step to be saved. No one has ever been saved who didn't repent. That is, change their mind to admit two things: You are a guilty SINNER; and second, Jesus is the SAVIOR.

Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) said it well...

"Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership—the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word." —Pastor Harry Ironside, 'Except Ye Repent,' chapter 3

That is vastly different than being willing to forsake one's sinful bad habits to be saved, which is a false gospel commonly taught in most churches and religious institutions today.

Some smart alec will say that you have to turn “from” something in order to turn “to” something. Well, then the answer is very obvious, the opposite of belief is unbelief. The truth is that you must change your mind from whatever has been hindering you from coming to the light of the truth of the GOOD NEWS (Jesus' crucified, buried and risen) to be saved. So, if a man has believed, has HAS repented. It is a false teaching to question whether or not someone has “repented” who has already put their childlike faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Initially, getting saved does not change a person one bit, except that now you have the gift of Christ's Holy Spirit living inside your body (Romans 8:9; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17; 1st John 3:24, 4:4). It is the Lord's Holy Spirit working in us that changes our life, but this is not a requirement to be saved. You see, the ERV is teaching doctrines of devils, requiring people to change their own life (which is human effort) as a requirement to be saved. This is reformation, not repentance, which does not bring regeneration (the new birth).

So, as you can clearly see for yourself, the issue of exposing the Devil's different Bible versions is not a mere “secondary doctrine” that we cannot be dogmatic over. We certainly can! I am absolutely certain that the Devil's Bible revisions are dangerous!!! All of Satan's apples have worms! All of Satan's Bible revisions attack the deity of Jesus, remove the Godhead, and water-down the truth of God's eternally inspired Words.

Calvinism, Denying Eternal Security and False Bibles Are Absolute False Teaching's We Must Divide Over

Although I agree that Christian believers ought not fuss and needlessly divide over secondary doctrines; such as, the timing of the Rapture, age of the earth, Zionism, standards of dress, music styles and tithing; I full disagree that critical issues; such as, eternal security, Calvinism (limited atonement, predestination, perseverance of the saints, et cetera) and differences between the Bible versions are mere secondary doctrines that ought not divide us.

So, kindly said, if you follow Pastor Brad Strand's advice for his commentary on 1st Corinthians 13:12, then you will wickedly support Pastor John MacArthur's and Dr. Albert Mohler's damnable Calvinist heresies. Calvinism is anything but a secondary doctrine! It is major false teaching! That is an absolute fact!!!

And any false teacher who denies eternal security (e.g., Dan Corner, Seventh-Day Adventists, Catholics and many Protestants) has been inspired by demons. Of that I am certain! This is not a mere secondary doctrine that we ought not be dogmatic over. Eternal Security is Eternal Life, and you cannot separate these two biblical doctrines. To deny the eternal security of a believer is to deny a free grace gospel, which is the simplicity that is in Christ. Catholics deny eternal security because they teach that works (avoiding mortal sins) are required to stay saved. That is a major damnable false teaching, not a “secondary doctrine.”

That all being said, I appreciate Pastor Strand's Bible commentary. It is truly a masterpiece of English literature, and I sincerely mean that praise. I cherish The Strand Study Bible, which you can purchase on Amazon. I bought some used ones from Abe's Books and eBay. Buy one while you still can, because I don't think they are still in print. I have learned so much truth from Brother Strand. I love the guy for his labors for Christ! To God alone be all the glory.