The question of whether names can be blotted out of the book of life is an important theological issue that is directly addressed in Psalm 69:28. This verse states, “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.” To understand the meaning and implications of this verse, we must examine the biblical evidence regarding the book of life and what it represents.
The Book of Life in Scripture
The book of life is mentioned several times in Scripture, often in relation to God’s record of those who belong to Him. Exodus 32:32-33 indicates that the book of life contains the names of God’s people. The Psalms also make reference to this book as having the names of the righteous (Psalm 69:28), the living (Psalm 69:28), and those who fear God (Psalm 56:8; 87:6). In the New Testament, the book of life contains the names of those who have eternal life through Christ (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27). Being blotted out of the book of life signifies being cut off from God’s people and forfeiting eternal life.
Some key things the Bible reveals about the book of life:
– It is the book of the living that belongs to the Lord (Psalm 69:28).
– God keeps track of names in this book (Exodus 32:32-33).
– It contains the names of God’s people (Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16).
– The names of the righteous are recorded in it (Psalm 69:28).
– Those who fear God and follow Christ are in the book (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 13:8).
– Blotting names out indicates spiritual death (Psalm 69:28; Revelation 3:5).
So Scripture shows the book of life contains the record of God’s people who have been redeemed by Christ. It represents God’s register of those who belong to Him and have eternal life.
Can Names Be Blotted Out?
Psalm 69:28 clearly warns about the possibility of being “blotted out of the book of the living.” Does this mean someone’s name can be removed from the book of life? There are several views on this question:
1. Once-Saved-Always-Saved View – From this perspective, once a name is written in the book of life, it is there permanently. God would not remove someone He has saved. Verses like Philippians 1:6 and John 10:28-29 support the idea that salvation cannot be lost. So Psalm 69:28 is a hypothetical warning, not something that can actually happen.
2. Arminian View – This stance believes people can lose their salvation through unbelief or unrepentant sin. God grants salvation by grace, but His followers must continue in faith and obedience. Psalm 69:28 and similar passages provide a serious warning to avoid falling away and having your name removed from the book.
3. Symbolic Language View – Some see the book of life as symbolic language for God’s omniscience regarding who will be saved. References to blotting out are word pictures of the predetermined record of who will ultimately reject Christ and face judgment. But names are not literally written and erased.
4. Old vs. New Covenant View – In the Old Testament, names of unfaithful Israelites who broke covenant were “blotted out” from God’s people under the law. But under the New Covenant of grace, Christ’s atonement covers all sin, so God will not remove any names. The blood of Christ secures our eternal redemption.
5. Part of God’s Mystery View – From this standpoint, there is tension between God’s sovereignty in salvation and human responsibility to follow Christ. God may allow the possibility of blotting out names to motivate righteous living without explaining how that squares with eternal security. There is an element of mystery surrounding the book of life.
As can be seen, Bible scholars differ in their perspectives on whether Psalm 69:28 refers to an actual blotting out of names from the book of life due to unbelief or apostasy. Views range from saying it is merely symbolic language to arguing that loss of salvation is possible if one’s faith does not endure. Each perspective aims to reconcile the warning of Psalm 69:28 with other biblical assurance of securely held eternal life. There are thoughtful arguments on all sides of this issue.
Implications of Psalm 69:28
Whether or not Psalm 69:28 refers to an actual blotting out of names, there are several important implications we can take from this solemn warning:
1. There is a consequence to continual unbelief and rejection of Christ. Persistent unbelief separates us from God both now and for eternity. Psalm 69:28 conveys the gravity of willful rebellion against God.
2. God values perseverance in faith. There are warnings against apostasy and encouragement to hold fast to Christ (e.g. Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-31). God wants His people to endure in believing and following Him.
3. The promise of security for believers is conditioned on remaining in Christ. Verses that assure we are guarded for salvation warn against ongoing sin and unbelief (e.g. Colossians 1:21-23; 1 John 2:24-25). The path that leads to eternal life is the path of continued faith in Christ.
4. Psalm 69:28 warns of forfeiting participation in God’s kingdom. Regardless of the “mechanics” about names in the book, the verse is a dire warning about the consequences of unrepentant sin for our eternal state. We reap eternal judgment when we reject Christ.
5. Passages like Psalm 69:28 should produce holy fear and reverence for God in us. Warnings in Scripture aim for our growth in godliness. They are meant to instill a sense of awe for God and diligence to follow Him faithfully.
So Psalm 69:28 has profound theological and practical ramifications, whether or not the blotting out of names is literal or symbolic. This verse should spur us to rely on Christ day by day, turn from sin, and make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:5-11). It provides a sobering reminder of the eternal danger of unbelief.
Additional Biblical Support
In addition to Psalm 69:28, several other passages give insight into the issue of blotting names from the book of life:
Exodus 32:33 – After the golden calf incident, God says, “but whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.” This affirms God’s prerogative to blot out those who rebel against Him.
Deuteronomy 29:20 – Part of the covenant blessings and curses. God warns, “The Lord will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the Lord…will blot out his name from under heaven.”
Psalm 109:13-15 – Asks for the days of the wicked to be few and for their names to be blotted out from the book of the living.
Revelation 3:5 – A promise to overcomers in the church of Sardis. Jesus says, “I will not blot out his name from the book of life.” The implication is non-overcomers could have their names blotted out.
Revelation 22:19 – Warning at the end of Revelation. If anyone takes away from this book, God will take away his share in the tree of life “and in the holy city,” which is likely tied to having one’s name in the book as part of God’s people.
These passages consistently portray the blotting out from the book of life as the consequence of sin and rebellion against God. But they leave open for discussion the eternality of that consequence.
Differing Views in Christian Theology
Within orthodox Christianity affirming biblical inspiration, we find ongoing discussion around whether Psalm 69:28 allows for names to be permanently blotted from the book of life.
Augustine (4th century) argued the verse contains a hypothetical warning rather than something that will ever literally happen to true believers. He believed in eternal security of salvation.
Aquinas (13th century) similarly stated that while names can be blotted out of the book of life metaphorically due to mortal sin, for the elect predestined to glory, “such blotting out must be understood as conditional, not actual.”
John Calvin (16th century) taught all those predestined by God for salvation persevere to the end. He saw passages about blotting out as hypothetical warnings or referring to apparent, not actual blotting out. The elect remain in the book of life.
Arminius (17th century) believed those regenerated can lose salvation by unbelief. He argued God does not blot anyone out arbitrarily, but unrepentant sin necessitates removal. So Psalm 69:28 is an actual possibility for Arminius.
John Wesley (18th century) also taught that backsliding could lead to one’s name being removed from the book of life. But he put greater emphasis on remaining in Christ through continued faith.
Among modern theologians, views across the Calvinist-Arminian spectrum exist. Scholars continue wrestling with reconciling divine sovereignty in salvation with human responsibility to avoid apostasy and being blotted from the book.
Conclusion
Psalm 69:28 contains a sobering warning about the consequences of unrepentant sin in stating that names can be “blotted out of the book of the living.” While biblical scholars differ on whether this is hypothetical or an actual possibility, all agree rejecting Christ leads to spiritual death and forfeiting eternal life with God. Passages about blotting out convey the necessity of persevering in faith and the eternally disastrous results of unbelief. Psalm 69:28 and related verses should produce reverence in believers and diligence to walk with Christ daily, so we heed the biblical call to make our election sure.