The Lutheran View of Sanctification
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Man, ya gotta read this...
Here is an essay by Gerhard Forde, former Professor of Theology at Luther Seminary, now with the Lord. He represents the Lutheran view in the book, Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988). This is a riveting piece by Forde that we believe is must reading for everyone. This may perhaps be the most crucial post we have ever done to date because it deals with such incredibly important Bible themes under the umbrella of “salvation”. What’s God’s part in all this? What is my part? What is this “justification” and “sanctification” thing all about anyway? Some may say a lot of big words that mean next to nothing and have no connection whatsoever to life… we beg to differ. Clearly, the weight of what Forde is saying and its implications are earth-shattering. He asks the very questions orbiting around our minds…and then delivers very useful insights, sort of “out of left field” for us to consider. May God cause you to read with grace, joy, and freedom in the promise of God through Jesus Christ.
Here’s a taste…
Here is an essay by Gerhard Forde, former Professor of Theology at Luther Seminary, now with the Lord. He represents the Lutheran view in the book, Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1988). This is a riveting piece by Forde that we believe is must reading for everyone. This may perhaps be the most crucial post we have ever done to date because it deals with such incredibly important Bible themes under the umbrella of “salvation”. What’s God’s part in all this? What is my part? What is this “justification” and “sanctification” thing all about anyway? Some may say a lot of big words that mean next to nothing and have no connection whatsoever to life… we beg to differ. Clearly, the weight of what Forde is saying and its implications are earth-shattering. He asks the very questions orbiting around our minds…and then delivers very useful insights, sort of “out of left field” for us to consider. May God cause you to read with grace, joy, and freedom in the promise of God through Jesus Christ.
Here’s a taste…
SANCTIFICATION, IF IT IS TO BE SPOKEN OF AS SOMETHING other than justification is perhaps best defined as the art of getting used to the unconditional justification wrought by the grace of God for Jesus' sake. It is what happens when we are grasped by the fact that God alone justifies. It is being made holy, and as such, it is not our work. It is the work of the Spirit who is called Holy. The fact that it is not our work puts the old Adam/Eve (our old self) to death and calls forth a new being in Christ. It is being saved from the sickness unto death and being called to new life...
Click here for entire article.
posted by DAO @ 3:11 PM,
2 Comments:
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At 9:31 AM,
Jimmy Snowden said...
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I have also benefited from Forde's work on justification and sanctification as a reformed believer. Reading Forde was extremely liberating for me. He taught me how to get my joy from Christ's performance on the cross, rather than getting joy from my performance in living the Christian life (which usually leads to sorrow).
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At 1:50 PM,
DAO said...
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Jimmy
we, likewise are benefitting from Forde's work. For one, much joy and freedom have come my way!
thanks for the comment. Come for a visit if you're in the neighborhood.
danny