tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post2898286499053934626..comments2024-03-24T15:19:06.377-04:00Comments on The Continuum: Faithful and just to forgiveFr. Robert Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05892141425033196616noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-37469874370778502011-04-02T19:10:20.237-04:002011-04-02T19:10:20.237-04:00Caedmon wrote...
I believe, on the other hand (an...Caedmon wrote...<br /><br /><i>I believe, on the other hand (and I think this is consistent with what you've written here), that as long as we are "putting" to death the deeds of the flesh (and the Greek at Romans 8:13 would suggest this rendering, which we see in the NASB), we will be live, as the verse says. <b>That is, if God finds in in the process of sanctification, that is a sign that we have received our justification well.</b></i><br /><br />Well said--particularly that last statement. <br /><br />A similar way of putting it: If one is not ULTIMATELY <b>being sanctified</b> then one is not ULTIMATELY justified. However, <b>(thankfully!)</b> one does not have to be PERFECTLY sanctified to be PRESENTLY justified. <br /><br />The key is that both our ONGOING justification and our PROGRESSIVE sanctification are dependent on our union with Christ. Think about the Vine and the branches: The Vine's righteousness is imputed to the branches that are abiding in the Vine (justification), and the fruit of the branch is the proof that it is <i>truly</i> abiding in the Vine (sanctification) (John 15). <br /><br />This also calls to mind the twin truths of Articles XI and XII, and the complimentary concerns of Paul and James--that the merits of Christ (apprehended by faith) alone that are the grounds of our justification and that good works (fruits) which follow our faith demonstrate our faith is 'lively' rather than 'dead'.<br /><br />Doubting Thomas<br /><br />PS: Also, a hearty "Amen" to Fr Hart's quote:<br /><br /><i>If an individual cannot be sure that his sins have been forgiven, and that God's promises therefore apply to him personally, what sort of faith does he have? Only the willfully unrepentant have cause to tremble.</i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-50613990911201031922011-04-01T13:56:23.794-04:002011-04-01T13:56:23.794-04:00If an individual cannot be sure that his sins have...If an individual cannot be sure that his sins have been forgiven, and that God's promises therefore apply to him personally, what sort of faith does he have? Only the willfully unrepentant have cause to tremble.Fr. Robert Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05892141425033196616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-53881552335608486852011-04-01T13:10:34.751-04:002011-04-01T13:10:34.751-04:00Thanks for this thoughtful and lucid post, Fr. Har...Thanks for this thoughtful and lucid post, Fr. Hart. As I continue my "reoccidentalization" from Eastern Orthodoxy to Continuing Anglicanism, I've seen a couple of instances where Anglican Catholic priests haven't been as clear as they need to be on this point. I've been told, for instance, that justification notwithstanding, one is NOT assured of salvation, and verses such as Hebrews 12:14 are cited in connection with that: "Pursue. . .holiness without which no one will see the Lord."<br /><br />Now, I believe that we MUST pursue the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. I believe St. Paul is CLEAR in Romans and his other epistles that, once justified, we are <i>obligated</i> to live according to the laws of the Spirit, "putting to death the deeds of the flesh" (Rom. 8:13). But here's where the danger arises, in my thinking. If there is no assurance of salvation apart form the holiness we seek, how do we know we're holy enough? What if we are in the process of mortifying the flesh but are one or more acts of mortification short? Some people seem to suggest that salvation is such dangerous business that you'd better be about it, or else. You certainly don't want to end up before the judgment seat with works left undone. You have "heaven to obtain and hell to avoid" as the popular little Anglican Catholic instruction book says.<br /><br />I believe, on the other hand (and I think this is consistent with what you've written here), that as long as we are "putting" to death the deeds of the flesh (and the Greek at Romans 8:13 would suggest this rendering, which we see in the NASB), we will be live, as the verse says. That is, if God finds in <i>in the process</i> of snactification, that is a sign that we have received our justification well. An Orthodox bishop I know put it this way: "In Christ, the effort is as good as the accomplishment." That statement is weak on justification and atonement (as one would expect to be from an Orthodox Christian), but I think it captures the essence of what the New Testament says about pursuing the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. <br /><br />Would be interested in your thoughts and the thoughts of others. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-44113294705417045812011-03-30T21:24:25.743-04:002011-03-30T21:24:25.743-04:00Very accurately stated. At - one - ment
through o...Very accurately stated. At - one - ment<br />through our dear Lord's propitiatory death is the very heart of the NT message. There is no good news, no hope, apart from it.Fr. Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00842080747345893229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-35647078177853939642011-03-30T14:43:01.814-04:002011-03-30T14:43:01.814-04:00That was beautiful.
Doubting ThomasThat was beautiful. <br /><br />Doubting ThomasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18902745.post-27125970301951427812011-03-30T07:24:50.136-04:002011-03-30T07:24:50.136-04:00I've thought that the binary opposition many p...I've thought that the binary opposition many people insist as positing God's mercy versus God's justice is bunk. His mercy and justice are not opposed to each other, but in perfect harmony such that our concepts of both mercy and justice are deeply flawed.<br />This essay expressed so well what I have felt in my gut and known somewhere in the recesses of my mind but been unable to articulate.<br />What a great Lenten read! Really, what a great read. Period.RC Colanoreply@blogger.com