Wednesday, 27 October 2010

Berkouwer on sanctification and faith

For Berkouwer, the Sola fide is central in all thinking about sanctification as well as justification. Quotes from Studies in Dogmatic Theology, Vol. 1: Faith and Sanctification:
The moment sanctification is ejected from the temple of faith, and hence of justification, that moment justification by faith has become an initial stage on the pilgrim’s journey, a supply-station which later becomes a pleasant memory!
...any view of regeneration, faith, and sanctification, must be weighed and tested by the criterion of whether it does justice to the forgiveness of sins as the only ground and source of sanctification.

Cf. Article 24 of the Belgic Confession:
We believe that this true faith being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God, and the operation of the Holy Ghost, does regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin.

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