Sandemanianism
Sandemanianism is a heretical distortion of the gospel that emerged in the 18th century, named after Robert Sandeman (1718–1771). Let’s carefully examine why it must be rejected in light of Scripture.
1. What is Sandemanianism?
Robert Sandeman taught that saving faith is nothing more than intellectual agreement with the truth of the gospel.
He defined faith as “bare assent of the understanding to the truth of the testimony of God concerning Jesus Christ.”
Thus, in Sandemanianism, faith is purely cognitive—mental belief that the facts are true—without any element of trust, repentance, or heart-submission to Christ.
2. Why It Is Unbiblical
(a) It Reduces Faith to Intellectual Assent
Scripture distinguishes between mere acknowledgment of truth and saving faith.
“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19).
Demons have “intellectual belief,” but no saving faith.
(b) It Strips Faith of Repentance
Biblical faith is inseparably joined with repentance.
“Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
“Repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20).
(c) It Ignores the Volitional and Trusting Nature of Faith
Faith in Christ is not merely saying “He is Lord,” but entrusting oneself to Him.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
Receiving Christ implies more than bare assent—it is welcoming Him as Lord and Savior.
(d) It Denies the Transforming Work of True Faith
Genuine faith always produces fruit.
“Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:17).
Sandemanianism divorces faith from fruit, thus misrepresenting true conversion.
(e) It Undermines Union with Christ
Saving faith is the Spirit-given bond of union with Christ.
“The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Sandeman’s “bare assent” cannot explain this living union.
3. The Biblical Definition of Faith
Historic Reformed theology (summarized in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, chapter 14) rightly defines saving faith as including:
Notitia (knowledge) – knowing the truth of the gospel.
Assensus (assent) – agreeing it is true.
Fiducia (trust) – resting in Christ personally for salvation.
Scripture consistently presents faith as involving the whole person:
Mind – acknowledges the truth (Hebrews 11:3).
Heart – embraces Christ in love (Romans 10:9–10).
Will – trusts and submits to Him (John 14:1).
4. Why It Is Dangerous
Sandemanianism creates false converts who think they are saved because they “agree” with facts.
It removes repentance, making room for a gospel without holiness.
It contradicts apostolic preaching, which always demanded a heart response of faith and repentance.
Conclusion
Sandemanianism is not biblical. It is a dead orthodoxy that mistakes intellectual agreement for saving faith. Scripture teaches that saving faith is a Spirit-wrought, repentant, trusting embrace of Christ that results in obedience and fruit.
“For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:10).
(The above article was AI generated.)