Did Zane Hodges Change His View on the Gospel?

It's obvious that Zane Hodges did change his view on the gospel: for example, just compare his earlier statements from his book The Gospel Under Siege to his later views. See my blog post titled "The Cross Under Siege" where I document Hodges' departure from biblical orthodoxy.[1] Not surprisingly, no one has yet disproved what I showed in that article, because it's facts. I showed the receipts and the GES folks can't argue with the facts so they just ignore it and talk about something else. I call it "The gilding of heresy." Like the cults, they apparently think that if they can print enough books and write enough articles explaining their heresy, maybe they can distract readers away from the truth (i.e. the saving gospel) and convince people they're right! 

But the question of whether or not Hodges changed his view on the gospel (how to be saved) is really not the key issue. The more important question is: Is Hodges' current view of the gospel biblical or not? Because even if Hodges didn't change his view on the gospel, the question remains: Is his view biblical? That's the real question. Because if Hodges did change his view on the gospel, maybe he changed it from an unbiblical view to a biblical view. That would be a good thing! The GES folks want to focus on whether or not Hodges changed his view. They try to defend their position that Hodges didn't change his view. But if that's true, then words don't mean anything because I've documented statements showing that Hodges did change his view! Not surprisingly, the GES folks have yet to respond. And I wrote that article 15+ years ago! Their actions speak louder than words. They can't deny the facts, so they just ignore them and focus on something else. How convenient! Apparently they think ignorance is bliss, and if they just ignore the truth maybe it will go away. But it doesn't quite work like that. As someone has so eloquently said, "facts are stubborn things." 

So the question of whether Hodges changed his view on the gospel is something to consider, but it's not the real issue and it's not the most important question to answer. The most important question is: "What do the Scriptures say?" (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 4:30). And in regards to the views of Zane Hodges on the gospel (i.e. how to be saved), are his views in line with the scriptural teaching on the subject?[2] The GES folks are acting like the magician who says, "Now concentrate on the card you choose" (directing attention to the card) while he pulls a fast one on the audience! But don't be deceived: regardless of whether Hodges changed his views on how to be saved, his "crossless gospel" teaching is not biblical! It is heresy of the worse kind regarding the most important question in this life and the next. As the Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). The answer is NOT by believing in a non-descript individual named "Jesus" (whoever that might be!) regardless of whatever misconceptions a person has; but rather by believing the GOOD NEWS of who Jesus is and what He did to provide salvation for lost and dying sinners, and specifically for our personal sins that separate us from a holy God.[3] This is the good news of the Gospel, which must be believed for salvation "from Hell" (as it said in the original GES doctrinal statement before Wilkin changed it). 

So beware of the GES, because they are trying to misdirect people's attention to "focus" on something besides "the gospel" (see 1 Corinthians 15) as declared in God's Holy Word to be the only way of salvation, eternal life, and peace with God: the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross for the sins of the world! It is this message (vv. 3-5) that brings salvation and no other: the message of the old rugged cross and of Him who died on it; this is the ONLY bridge that spans the great gulf which separates sinful man from Almighty God. Have you believed it? If not, do so today!

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!

Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!

Oh the mighty gulf that God did span, at Calvary.

"At Calvary," by William R. Newell.

ENDNOTES:

[1] Jonathan Perreault, "The Cross Under Siege" (FGFS, August 6, 2009).

[2] For more information see my article: "Getting the Gospel in Focus, Pt. 1" (FGFS, October 24, 2024).

[3] For more information on the GES view of how to be saved, see the article by Antonio da Rosa titled "Believe Christ's Promise and You Are Saved, No Matter What Misconceptions You Hold" (Free Grace Theology, May 25, 2006). Note: It must be kept in mind that the apostle Paul warned of "another Jesus" (see 2 Corinthians 11:4).