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Originally Posted by Stephen  Quote:
Originally Posted by Civbert Quote:
Originally Posted by Pilgrim
Isn't saying that sanctification is optional the same as the old Dallas teaching which makes sanctification optional and is essentially a Keswickian second blessing scheme that gives us the "carnal Christian" etc?
| I'm not familiar with the "Keswickian second blessing scheme".
But I would not say sanctification is optional, rather I would say sanctification is not necessary for salvation. Only justification is necessary for salvation. Now, sanctification necessarily follows temporally after justification, but that is not the same as saying it follows logically. |
I have a problem with the way you are stating that only justification is necessary for salvation, and sanctification temporarilly flows after justification. We certainly are declared righteous and blameless at justification, but the Westminster standards do not teach that sanctification is not necessary for salvation or is temporary. |
I did not say it was temporary. I said it was temporal (over time). Sanctification is a process. But all that we need for justification is faith - ergo our salvation is by faith alone.
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Originally Posted by Stephen Justification leads to sanctification, which is an ongoing work that is not perfected or completed until we are glorified. Sanctification is a doctrine of soteriology just like justification. While we have been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin - justification, we are presently being saved from the power of sin - sanctification, but we will one day be saved from the very presence of sin - glorification. |
I agree. But our justification does not depend on our sanctification.
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Originally Posted by Stephen Salvation involves the deliverance of the whole person both soul and body. |
That is sanctification.
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Originally Posted by Stephen The Westminster shorter Catechism question and answer 37 states that believers are at their death made perfect in holiness. We are not made perfect until death, so our salvation has not yet been made complete. For the believer we have the guarantee of our complete salvation, but it is still future (Romans 8:28-30). It is certainly all of grace, but not complete until our glorification. |
But we have the perfect righteousness of Christ when we are justified. Our perfection does not save us.
So it depends on what sense of "salvation" you are using. Please read the quotes RB posted from Clark. If you mean by salvation our justification before the throne of God, that is occurs when we are regenerate and believe in Christ as our Savior. At the moment, we have the imputed righteousness of Christ, and our salvation is complete. Nothing more needs to be added.
However, if you mean by salvation, our ongoing deliverance from the bondage of sin through the work of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification, then indeed we are "being saved" every day.
But "salvation" can not mean both "justification" and "sanctification" at the same time.