Comments on: Gospel Sanctification

By: Gerardo

Gerardo — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:35:41 +0000

I think this is a very important issue. Suppose I need to buy the book “Growing by Grace”. I think that a key issue is: What is the relationship between grace, effort and sanctification? What does a text like this mean?:
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NET)
Thanks for bringing us such a reflection!

By: Donn Arms

Donn Arms — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:13:38 +0000

I leave the previous comment up as it is a great illustration of the non sequiters that pass for logic in some circles and the silly mis-characterizations of Jay’s teaching.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:36:10 +0000

Don, the Bible doesn’t use the word Trinity either.
Marie, from what I have read of Dr. Adams, he is a behaviorist/moralist. He teaches that changing the behavior is the way to change the heart. At least that’s what I read on the pages of Competent to Counsel. I was so shocked at what I read that I withdrew my application to a seminary that uses Dr Adams as its text. Check it for yourself.

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:13:19 +0000

I am glad Dr. Adams wrote this – I have been thinking about this very issue since we were chatting about the positional difference on sanctification in your office last month. Although I have not read the titles on systematic theology you mention, one of the clearest and most concise books I have on a biblical view of sanctification is Dr. Adams’ “Growing by Grace”. There is no way anyone could read that and think that he is a behaviorist – on page 7 he begins laying out what true holiness is and takes it from there. (If Blogger ever comes back up, I would like to write about this myself – using citations from that book.)
Re: Brian’s point – Donn, about a year ago you did an informal interview with Rick Thomas on that very question – why “idols of the heart” isn’t a very helpful biblical counseling construct. He had it on his Counseling Solutions website, and I also have the file on my blog – if you still have it, it might be useful to post. I listened to your explanation a couple of times, and found it quite helpful. (For what it’s worth, since then I’ve noticed what a “cliche” that term has become, to the point where even secular authors talk about “idols”.)

By: Donn Arms

Donn Arms — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:56:34 +0000

1. Yes, many authors today do use the terms interchangeably. The Scriptures do not.
2. Justification is monergistic, sanctification is synergistic. Walking is what I do, not something Christ does for me.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:40:20 +0000

Idols of the heart and idolatry are used interchangeably, at least with the authors that I have read. I’m not quite sure of the reason for your objection to the term.
Also, I see both sanctification and justification are ours through faith in the work of Christ on our behalf. Are you saying something other than that? Are you saying that justification comes by faith and sanctification comes by works? Paul said, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. . .”

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 12 May 2011 11:06:50 +0000

Absolutely. Absolutely. Theological Training MUST be returned to the local church. That is the solution. Seminaries are leading Christianity around on a leash. I am constantly ribbed in Christian circles for using “big words” like “sanctification,” “antinomianism,” etc., etc. I have often been exhorted to stop using “fifty-cent theological terms.” This post is dead-on: Christians will be defenseless (actually, they already are) against false doctrine otherwise.