Antidote to reductionist "gospel driven" rhetoric in sanctification

[mvdm]

For those misled by the reductionist modern "gospel driven" rhetoric that de-emphasizes effort in sanctification, blunts imperatives in preaching, or pits law vs. gospel, I highly recommend this mature, biblical, and confessional antidote delivered by Dr. Derek Thomas:

Derek Thomas and the Message of the GRN » Gospel Reformation Network

 

[whirlingmerc]

The reductionism might be in the heart of the listener as well. I did like allot about the "Jesus plus nothing equals everything" approach of Tullian Tchavidian as he tried to summarize Colossians but people need to come at the issues various ways and there was another summary of Colossians by De Young that I think filled out the issue better

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Excellent presentation. Thanks Mark.

 

[mvdm]

Excellent presentation. Thanks Mark.

You're welcome, Rich. It is a desperately needed message that is not being heeded in some circles.

 

[Peairtach]

The reductionism might be in the heart of the listener as well. I did like allot about the "Jesus plus nothing equals everything" approach of Tullian Tchavidian as he tried to summarize Colossians but people need to come at the issues various ways and there was another summary of Colossians by De Young that I think filled out the issue better

Jesus did tell us to obey His commandments, so Jesus plus nothing is still Jesus in both the "indicatives" of His Gospel and the "imperatives" of His law.

Interestingly, Thomas recommends a book by de Young, in which he points out from Scripture the many different motivations God gives us for progressive sanctification.

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[Semper Fidelis]

It is a desperately needed message that is not being heeded in some circles.

As Derek Thomas noted, all of us need to be reminded of the message whether we believe we are "heeding" it or not. Even when we have properly apprehended what the author of Hebrews is calling us unto, the challenge is loving holiness in our battle with indwelling sin. The battle needs to begin with me. I do find it sad that there is a tendency to downplay effort as inherently "un-Gospelly". I've come to a fresh appreciation of seeing God as a disciplinarian and not a Judge barking Law in the Old Testament.

 

[psycheives]

Interestingly, Thomas recommends a book by de Young, in which he points out from Scripture the many different motivations God gives us for progressive sanctification.

I fully agree that we must teach both the first use of the law and the third use of the law. It seems to me that the "gospel-driven" sanctification method is over-emphasizing the 1st use and under-emphasizing the 3rd use. And this is why DeYoung has rightly corrected Tchividjian for many years now. And DeYoung's book The Hole In Our Holiness rightly explains the hole in this "gospel-driven" sanctification method.