By Ed Vasicek on
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Bible, Theology & Philosophy
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Poll Results

What is sanctification? (Not “how does it happen?”) Choices from the book “Across the Spectrum” by Boyd and Eddy

A declaration by God (Lutheran) Votes: 0
Holiness in Christ and Personal Conduct (Reformed) Votes: 5
A resting faith in the sufficiency of Christ (Keswick) Votes: 0
Entire sanctification as perfect love (Wesleyan) Votes: 0
A combination of some or all of the above Votes: 3
Other Votes: 1
None of the above Votes: 0

(Migrated poll)

N/A
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 0

Discussion

Wed, 02/01/12
To sanctify means, at bare minimum, to set apart. But when the Bible refers to the term, what is in mind? What is your view of sanctification?

My suspicion is that most of us at SI will choose the Reformed view. I would appreciate comments from all, but especially those of you who hold other views.

"The Midrash Detective"

Wed, 02/01/12
[Alex Guggenheim] Ed,

Would that not depend on the context in order to go beyond its general definition/properties?
Perhaps I should have said theological rather than Biblical.

"The Midrash Detective"

Thu, 02/09/12
The list really confuses categories. I’d have to say that “Across the Spectrum” must not be very helpful.

“Holiness in Christ and Personal Conduct (Reformed)” is what sanctification is. But “A resting faith in the sufficiency of Christ (Keswick)” is a view of how sanctification is obtained, not what it is. And “entire sanctification” is clearly about a degree of sanctification—neither what it is nor how it is obtained.

(Edit: just about everybody also believes that “a declaration by God” is one sense in which “sanctification” is used in Scripture)

So… the options here are a mess.

Just about all the views of sanctification believe it is holiness in Christ and personal conduct. The differences are over how, when, to what extent, etc.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.

Fri, 02/10/12
[Aaron Blumer] The list really confuses categories. I’d have to say that “Across the Spectrum” must not be very helpful.

“Holiness in Christ and Personal Conduct (Reformed)” is what sanctification is. But “A resting faith in the sufficiency of Christ (Keswick)” is a view of how sanctification is obtained, not what it is. And “entire sanctification” is clearly about a degree of sanctification—neither what it is nor how it is obtained.

(Edit: just about everybody also believes that “a declaration by God” is one sense in which “sanctification” is used in Scripture)

So… the options here are a mess.

Just about all the views of sanctification believe it is holiness in Christ and personal conduct. The differences are over how, when, to what extent, etc.
I am glad I borrow these categories from Boyd and Eddy. I’ll pass the buck.

"The Midrash Detective"

Fri, 02/10/12
That’s why they get paid the big bucks, right?

They are definitely not the first to frame the controversy in a confusing way. I’m not familiar with the title. Is it a book? (Found this one, but not sure it’s the right one… http://www.amazon.com/Across-Spectrum-Understanding-Evangelical-Theolog…)

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.