Park Driven by God

Active Justification and Definitive Sanctification in the Soteriology of Bavinck, Comrie, Witsius, and Kuyper
1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-3-647-55284-2
Verlag: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, Band Band 046, 264 Seiten

Reihe: Reformed Historical Theology

For more than two millennia believers have struggled with the antinomy of God's absolute sovereignty over and man's ultimate responsibility in justification and sanctification. Theologians have used some version of the terms 'active justification' and 'definitive sanctification' in an attempt to illuminate this mystery. However, in the past decade scholars have begun to criticize these concepts, saying that they are unsupported in Scripture, lead to theological confusion, and are of no practical benefit to believers.Through the work of theologians from the broader Dutch Reformed tradition, especially Herman Bavinck, Alexander Comrie, Herman Witsius, and Abraham Kuyper. Jae-Eun Park demonstrates that the terms 'active justification' and 'definitive sanctification' are derived from Scripture and serve to clarify, not obscure the doctrines of justification and sanctification. In addition, the book shows that neglect, misuse, or misunderstanding of the terms have resulted in contemporary criticisms that are unconvincing and unfounded.Writings of the aforementioned theologians define and expound four characteristics held in common between active justification and definitive sanctification, i.e., inseparability, objectivity and decisiveness, Christ-centeredness, and God's absolute sovereignty – concepts of the mentioned theologians. All four characteristics of active justification and definitive sanctification emphasize the 'God-driven' nature of salvation.Jae-Eun Park explains how – when properly defined and presented – the two terms are important theologically, bringing clarity to the issue of the perfect balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation. He also shows how active justification and definitive sanctification offers practical assurance of their perseverance unto glory to true believers, and provides pastors with an invaluable tool for exhorting parishioners who may have lapsed into either triumphalism or defeatism.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Park, Jae-Eun

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Geschichte der Theologie, Einzelne Theologen
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Theologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Title Page;4
2;Copyright;5
3;Body;12
4;Preface;12
5;1. Introduction;14
5.1;1.1 Introduction and Thesis Statement;14
5.2;1.2 Present Status of the Problem;18
5.2.1;1.2.1 Definitive Sanctification;18
5.2.2;1.2.2 Active Justification;22
5.3;1.3 Proposed Method;24
5.4;1.4 Outline – A Study in Three Parts;26
6;Part I: Definitive Sanctification and Active Justification Defined;28
7;2. Definitive Sanctification;30
7.1;2.1 Clarification of Terms;30
7.2;2.2 John Murray's View of Definitive Sanctification;32
7.2.1;2.2.1 Views that Differ from Murray's;32
7.2.2;2.2.2 Definition and Two Main Themes: Identity and Lordship;33
7.2.3;2.2.3 Union with Christ and the Agency of Definitive Sanctification;35
7.2.4;2.2.4 Definitive Sanctification and Progressive Sanctification;37
7.3;2.3 Defending the Idea of Definitive Sanctification;39
7.3.1;2.3.1 The Biblical Case for Definitive Sanctification;40
7.3.1.1;2.3.1.1 Romans 6:1–14 and Definitive Sanctification;41
7.3.1.2;2.3.1.2 Definitive Sanctification in 1 Corinthians 1:2, 6:11;44
7.3.2;2.3.2 The Confessional Case for Definitive Sanctification;46
7.3.3;2.3.3 Francis Turretin's Case for Definitive Sanctification;49
7.3.4;2.4 Theological Disagreement;50
7.3.5;2.4.1 Mixing Forensic Justification with Definitive Sanctification;50
7.3.6;2.4.2 The Placement of Definitive Sanctification in the Ordo Salutis;52
7.3.6.1;2.4.2.1 Logical Priority of Justification over Sanctification;53
7.3.6.2;2.4.2.2 The Ordo Salutis and Definitive Sanctification;55
7.3.6.3;2.4.2.3 Does Definitive Sanctification Represent a Distinct and Independent Point within the Ordo Salutis?;56
7.3.7;2.4.3 Lessons from Theological Debates;59
7.3.8;2.4.4 Definitive Sanctification and Faith;60
7.4;2.5 The Four Core Characteristics of Definitive Sanctification;65
7.5;2.6 Summary;66
8;3. Active Justification;68
8.1;3.1 Clarification of Terms;69
8.2;3.2 Biblical Foundation of Active Justification;73
8.3;3.3 Doctrinal Development and Theological Context;75
8.4;3.4 Misunderstanding, Neglect, and Misuse of Active Justification;77
8.4.1;3.4.1 Misunderstanding: Active Justification Undermines the Reformation's Doctrine of Justification Sola fide;77
8.4.1.1;3.4.1.1 Tipton's Argument;77
8.4.1.2;3.4.1.2 A Response to Tipton;79
8.4.2;3.4.2 Neglect: Opening the Door to Antinomianism;82
8.4.2.1;3.4.2.1 Important Historical Background in the Development of Antinomianism;83
8.4.2.2;3.4.2.2 A Case Study in Anti-Arminian Antinomianism: John Eaton;85
8.4.2.3;3.4.2.3 How Eaton's View Differs from Active Justification;89
8.4.3;3.4.3 Misuse: Opening the Door to Hyper-Calvinism;90
8.4.3.1;3.4.3.1 A Brief Background of Hyper-Calvinism;91
8.4.3.2;3.4.3.2 A Case Study in Hyper-Calvinistic Justification: John Brine;93
8.4.3.3;3.4.3.3 Brine's “Justification from Eternity” Is Not Active Justification;96
8.5;3.5 The Four Parallel Characteristics of Active Justification and Definitive Sanctification;97
8.6;3.6 Summary;98
9;Part II: The Four Parallel Characteristics of Active Justification and Definitive Sanctification;100
10;4. Parallel Characteristic No. 1: Inseparability in Herman Bavinck;102
10.1;4.1 Bavinck and the via media;103
10.2;4.2 Bavinck's Soteriological Views;107
10.2.1;4.2.1 Bavinck and Definitive Sanctification;107
10.2.1.1;4.2.1.1 Evangelical Sanctification and Legal Sanctification;109
10.2.1.2;4.2.1.2 Passive Sanctification and Active Sanctification;114
10.2.1.3;4.2.1.3 Trinitarian Perspective on Sanctification;115
10.2.2;4.2.2 Bavinck and Active Justification;117
10.2.2.1;4.2.2.1 Theological Reaction;119
10.2.2.2;4.2.2.2 Judicial Decision (Objective) and Actual Possession (Subjective);119
10.2.2.3;4.2.2.3 Active Justification as Acquisition and Passive Justification as Application;121
10.2.2.4;4.2.2.4 Active Versus Eternal Justification;124
10.2.2.5;4.2.2.5 The Relationship of Active Justification to Faith;126
10.2.2.6;4.2.2.6 Significance of the Distinction between Active and Passive Justification;128
10.3;4.3 Summary;131
11;5. Parallel Characteristic No. 2: Objectivity and Decisiveness in Alexander Comrie;134
11.1;5.1 Comrie in the Nadere Reformatie, the Dutch Further Reformation;135
11.2;5.2 Comrie and Theological Conflict;140
11.3;5.3 Comrie's Soteriological Views;141
11.3.1;5.3.1 Comrie and Definitive Sanctification;141
11.3.1.1;5.3.1.1 Four Core Characteristics in Comrie's Definitive Sanctification;142
11.3.1.2;5.3.1.2 Causal Language;145
11.3.2;5.3.2 Comrie and Active Justification;146
11.3.2.1;5.3.2.1 Comrie Distinguishes between Active and Passive Justification;148
11.3.2.2;5.3.2.2 Comrie's View of Eternal Justification;151
11.3.2.3;5.3.2.3 Comrie's View of the Distinction between Active and Eternal Justification;153
11.3.2.4;5.3.2.4 Causal Language;155
11.4;5.4 Summary;158
12;6. Parallel Characteristic No. 3: Christ-centeredness in Herman Witsius;160
12.1;6.1 Witsius as Theological Arbiter;161
12.2;6.2 The “Covenant of God with the Elect” in Witsius' Soteriology;163
12.3;6.3 Witsius' Soteriological Views;164
12.3.1;6.3.1 Witsius and Definitive Sanctification;164
12.3.1.1;6.3.1.1 Twofold and Fourfold Sanctification;164
12.3.1.2;6.3.1.2 The New State of Being in Christ;165
12.3.1.3;6.3.1.3 Relation to Perfection or Completion of Sanctification;168
12.3.1.4;6.3.1.4 The Christ-Centered and Trinitarian Perspective of Sanctification;170
12.3.2;6.3.2 Witsius and Active Justification;171
12.3.2.1;6.3.2.1 Witsius' Eclecticism;171
12.3.2.2;6.3.2.2 Witsius' Distinctions in Justification;174
12.3.2.3;6.3.2.3 Christ-Centered Active Justification;176
12.4;6.4 Foundation of Witsius' Christ-Centered Soteriology;178
12.5;6.5 Summary;181
13;7. Parallel Characteristic No. 4: God's Sovereignty in Salvation in Abraham Kuyper;182
13.1;7.1 Kuyper against Human-centered Ideas;183
13.1.1;7.1.1 Mixed opinions of Kuyper;183
13.1.2;7.1.2 Kuyper's Proposition;186
13.2;7.2 Kuyper's Soteriological Views;189
13.2.1;7.2.1 Kuyper and Definitive Sanctification;189
13.2.1.1;7.2.1.1 The Twofold Framework of Sanctification;190
13.2.1.2;7.2.1.2 The Role of Human Beings in Progressive Sanctification;195
13.2.1.3;7.2.1.3 Kuyper on Perfectionism;197
13.2.2;7.2.2 Kuyper on Active Justification;198
13.2.2.1;7.2.2.1 Active Justification and Objective Justification;198
13.2.2.2;7.2.2.2 Active Justification and Justification from Eternity;200
13.2.2.3;7.2.2.3 Active Justification and Faith;203
13.3;7.3 God's Sovereignty in Salvation;205
13.4;7.4 Summary;206
14;Part III: The Soteriological Significance of Active Justification and Definitive Sanctification;208
15;8. Theological and Practical Significance of Active Justification and Definitive Sanctification;210
15.1;8.1 Theological Significance;210
15.1.1;8.1.1 Providing a Balanced Soteriology;210
15.1.2;8.1.2 Securing an Appropriate Understanding of God's Sovereignty in Salvation;213
15.2;8.2 Practical Significance;215
15.2.1;8.2.1 Providing Sound Assurance and Perseverance;216
15.2.2;8.2.2 Overcoming Spiritual Triumphalism and Defeatism;220
15.3;8.3 Summary;221
16;9. Conclusion;222
17;Bibliography;226
18;Author Index;258
19;Subject Index;262

Über Autor(innen)

Park, Jae-Eun
Jae-Eun Park, Ph.D. ist Dozent am Theologischen Seminar Chongshin, Südkorea.