The Doctrine of Entitlement

The four propositions of the popular doctrine of entitlement go something like this:

1. God is love and He loves me so much that he would have sent Christ to die for me if I were the only person in the world.

2. I was created in God’s image and am a person of worth as a person alone—I do not have to do, or say, or try anything to be worthy in God’s eyes—I am worthy as a person created in God’s own image.

3. God’s love for me is based on who I am—a person of worth, and not because of anything that I do or have done—I am the central focus of God’s attention and love because I am.

4. Salvation is thus an entitlement for me. It is not something I can work for, believe for, or even ask for—it is granted to me because I am a person—I do not even ask if I am saved, of course I am saved—for God loves me completely and accepts me just as I am.

While few would put it exactly this way, I see a growing number of people who practically-speaking live by this doctrine. Is this good doctrine? Is it a new doctrine or has it appeared before in our past? Where does it come from and why? Do you see any problems with the doctrine of entitlement?

So what do you think?

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Keith Drury   October 6, 2009

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