What is the best book on Sanctification.

Saiph · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 01:48 PM

I am looking for a book that explains the doctrine, and the practical aspect of working out your salvation.

Evidentally, I confuse justification and sanctification quite often in my thinking. Need to understand how sanctification changes us.

WrittenFromUtopia · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 01:50 PM

Romans 7-8.

Rick Larson · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 02:02 PM

Although not a detailed theological treatise, for sheer practicality it's hard to beat Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots by J.C. Ryle

[Edited on 11-1-2005 by Rick Larson]

wsw201 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 02:03 PM

You also might try Calvin's "The Golden Booklet on the True Christian Life".

Steadfast · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 03:02 PM

Didn't Gordon Clark write a book on the subject as well?

fredtgreco · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 03:05 PM

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall

http://www.sovgracepub.com/upcoming/SGPMARSHAL01.htm

Jeff_Bartel · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steadfast
Didn't Gordon Clark write a book on the subject as well?

Sanctification, by Gordon H. Clark

Have it...looking forward to reading it.

C. Matthew McMahon · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 04:41 PM

Justification is a judicial act of God which, by declaration, frees us from the guilt of sin; sanctification is a spiritual-ethical operation of God's Spirit in us which delivers us from the pollution of sin (mortification).

I'd not look to a book that simply looks at the differecne between the two, but books ON justification and sanctification.

Here are a few of my favorites:

JUSTIFICATION:

Justification by Faith Alone By Jonathan Edwards Outstanding

Faith and Justification By Thomas Halyburton

Justification and the New Perspective on Paul By Guy Prentiss Waters

Justification by Faith Alone By Charles Hodge Outstanding

Justification of a Sinner By William Pemble Outstanding

The Justified Believer By MacKenzie Hart

The Lord Our Righteousness: The Old Perspective on Paul
By Obadiah Grew Outstanding

The Object and Acts of Justifying Faith By Thomas Goodwin

Sermons on Melchizedek and Abraham: Justification, Faith and Obedience By John Calvin

SANCTIFICATION

A Treatise of Satan's Temptations By Richard Gilpin

A Treatise on Sanctification (Rom. 6,7 and 8:1-4) By James Fraser

Christ's Counsel to a Languishing Church By Obadiah Sedgwick

Communion with God By John Owen Outstanding

The Mortification of Sin By John Owen Outstanding

Glorious Freedom By Richard Sibbes

Gospel Remission By Jeremiah Burroughs

Grace: Truth, Growth, and Degrees By Christopher Love

Heaven Taken By Storm By Thomas Watson Outstanding

Holiness, By JC Ryle

Michael and the Dragon, or Christ Tempted and Satan Foiled By Daniel Dyke Outstanding

Practical Religion By J.C. Ryle

Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices By Thomas Brooks Outstanding

Spiritual Refining: The Anatomy of True and False Conversion, Vol. 1 & 2 By Anthony Burgess Outstanding

Temptation of Christ: A Puritan's View of the Temptation By Thomas Manton

The Christian By William S. Plumer Outstanding

The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification By Walter Marshall

The Life of God in the Soul of Man, and Leighton's Rules and Instructions for a Holy Life By Henry Scougal

The Marks of God's Children By Jean Taffin

Vital Godliness: A Treatise on Experimental and Practical Piety By William S. Plumer Outstanding

Puritan Sailor · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fredtgreco
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall

http://www.sovgracepub.com/upcoming/SGPMARSHAL01.htm

Excellent book. Heavy but excellent.

I would also include J.C. Ryle's, Holiness. It is a classic.

For a good introduction to sanctification and the practice of pursuing it I recommend Sinclair Ferguson's, Grow in Grace. It's a short book, very readable, yet deep and thought provoking, and saturated with Reformed Theology.

So read them in this order (ordered by readability):
Ferguson
Ryle
Marshall

This will give you a good introduction to the Reformed idea of sanctification.

Saiph · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 04:53 PM

I have read a handful of those books and they are good. I guess my confusion comes in what is the "new man" ? If, in the end, all my good works are Christ working through me, and not really a part of me that has been changed and renewed by Christ, then what is transformed ?

Gal 2:19-21
for I through law, did die, that to God I may live;
with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh--in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me;
I do not make void the grace of God, for if righteousness be through law--then Christ died in vain.

Quote:

They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Am I becoming a better man ? Or is Christ simply working through me like a hand-puppet more and more by the word and the Spirit ?

C. Matthew McMahon · #11 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saiph
I have read a handful of those books and they are good. I guess my confusion comes in what is the "new man" ? If, in the end, all my good works are Christ working through me, and not really a part of me that has been changed and renewed by Christ, then what is transformed ?

Gal 2:19-21
for I through law, did die, that to God I may live;
with Christ I have been crucified, and live no more do I, and Christ doth live in me; and that which I now live in the flesh--in the faith I live of the Son of God, who did love me and did give himself for me;
I do not make void the grace of God, for if righteousness be through law--then Christ died in vain.

Quote:

They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by his word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part: whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Am I becoming a better man ? Or is Christ simply working through me like a hand-puppet more and more by the word and the Spirit ?

Christ, working through you, is making YOU a better man.

For example, the Spirit has made His mark on us. Our hearts have been changed. Cut me open, though, and you still see the same heart. Its a spiritual principle that has been changed. The more the affects of the Spirit enliven me (the new man) the more the remnant of remaining sin is mortified. The old man is dead. He does not exist. but his affects of sin still remain in me. It tries to revivie the old man and can't. The new man, however, is fighting a ferocious dying lion (for lack of a better analogy). It wants to bite, and it can hurt, but ultimately it will die. Killing it, though, is where I come in.

If this was true: Or is Christ simply working through me like a hand-puppet more and more by the word and the Spirit ?"
Would you see this as a problem?

This falls under under the compound / divided sense idea.

Our sanctification is wholly from Christ (decree) but worked through us (divided sense or us working).

I don't feel manipulated so I don't have a problem with the robot idea. However, I am at fault for not being sanctifed because the Bible tell me that God's will for me is my sanctification. I am to walk in the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the felsh, etc. If don't do that, then i am walking in the flesh not the Spirit. But i do need the Spirit's help to accomplish it and without His help i will never be sanctified.

Michael Butterfield · #12 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Larson
Although not a detailed theological treatise, for sheer practicality it's hard to beat Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots by J.C. Ryle

[Edited on 11-1-2005 by Rick Larson]

Supreme

Nothing beats it for good old practical and heart searching application of the doctrine

[Edited on 11-1-2005 by Michael Butterfield]

Robin · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wsw201
You also might try Calvin's "The Golden Booklet on the True Christian Life".

Robin

Robin · #14 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saiph
I have read a handful of those books and they are good. I guess my confusion comes in what is the "new man" ? If, in the end, all my good works are Christ working through me, and not really a part of me that has been changed and renewed by Christ, then what is transformed ?

Mark,

Read Romans chapter 6 -- 8 without stopping....

Here is the explanation.

We are BOTH completely sanctified (at the moment of justification) AND are gradually being transformed in our thinking.

However, the "new man" is reference to the "new society" God is calling to Himself. Christ is the first-fruit of that harvest; His resurrection is the sign that the "new creation" has already begun!

Calvin describes this well....but his studies are based on Paul's writings.

Another superb source is: "Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life" by Ronald S. Wallace

(Matt has some excellent points, btw.)

Robin

[Edited on 11-2-2005 by Robin]

Saiph · #15 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 09:10 PM

Here is why I struggle with the justification/sanctification ideas:

Read DTK's post here:
http://www.puritanboard.com/forum/vi....php?tid=14604

Augustine is almost all I read in theology anymore outside of the Bible.

Now I need to go back and read Ryle/Calvin etc . . .

Robin,

Quote:

We are BOTH completely sanctified (at the moment of justification) AND are gradually being transformed in our thinking.

Interesting.

[Edited on 11-2-2005 by Saiph]

turmeric · #16 (**permalink**) 11-01-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saiph

Am I becoming a better man ? Or is Christ simply working through me like a hand-puppet more and more by the word and the Spirit ?

Here is a quote from Jonathan Edwards;

"It is very true that all grace and goodness in the hearts of the saints is entirely from God; and they are universally and immediately dependent on him for it. But yet these persons are mistaken, as to the manner of God's communicating himself and his Holy Spirit, in imparting saving grace to the soul. He gives his Spirit to be united to the faculties of the soul, and to dwell there after the principle of nature; so that the soul,in being endued with grace, is endued with a new nature: but nature is an abiding thing. All the excercises of grace are entirely from Christ: but are not from him as a living agent moves and stirs what is without life, and which yet remains lifeless. The soul has life communicated to it, so that through Christ's power, it has inherent in itself a vital nature."

This is from page 269 in The religious Affections.

[Edited on 11-2-2005 by turmeric]

Robin · #17 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saiph

Quote:

We are BOTH completely sanctified (at the moment of justification) AND are gradually being transformed in our thinking.

Interesting.

[Edited on 11-2-2005 by Saiph]

Mark, the Reformers termed it "simultaneously sinner and saint" ...don't ask me to spell the Latin, OK?

But this is precisely Paul's point as he explains his own struggle with sin while he is regenerate. (Romans 6-8.)

In a nutshell....the church of Rome confuses the order and syntax of the Book of Romans. (irony) Hold-tight to the progressive unfolding of Paul's arguments in Romans and the truth emerges. Mix it up and we always get some form of RC works/righteousness.

r.

PS. Btw, this is why Paul says what he does in Romans 12. He's already taken chapters 1-11 to develop the propositions of reprobation; justification/sanctification. The imperative language in chpt. 12 utterly hinges on what he's already taught in the former chapters. (important)

[Edited on 11-2-2005 by Robin]

RAS · #18 (**permalink**) 11-02-2005, 11:38 PM

Mark-

I would like to recommend the book, "Christian Spirituality: Five Views of Sanctification", ed. by Donald L. Alexander. Sometimes it is helpful for us to learn what something is not, to clarify what it actually is. I think this book does that well as Sinclair Ferguson explains the reformed view.

Saiph · #19 (**permalink**) 11-03-2005, 12:00 AM

Thank you all for the recommendations.

Hopefully, I can reach a better understanding of how we are Simul Iustus et Peccator . . .

John Knox, Scots Confession 15

"We confess and acknowledge that the law of God is most just, equal, holy, and perfect, commanding those things which, when perfectly done, can give life and bring man to eternal felicity; but our nature is so corrupt, weak, and imperfect, that we are never able perfectly to fulfill the works of the law. Even after we are reborn, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth of God is not in us. It is therefore essential for us to lay hold on Christ Jesus, in his righteousness and his atonement, since he is the end and consummation of the Law and since it is by him that we are set at liberty so that the curse of God may not fall upon us, even though we do not fulfill the Law in all points. For as God the Father beholds us in the body of his Son Christ Jesus, he accepts our imperfect obedience as if it were perfect, and covers our works, which are defiled with many stains, with the righteousness of his Son. We do not mean that we are so set at liberty that we owe no obedience to the Law--for we have already acknowledged its place--but we affirm that no man on earth, with the sole exception of Christ Jesus, has given, gives, or shall give in action that obedience to the Law which the Law requires. When we have done all things we must fall down and unfeignedly confess that we are unprofitable servants. Therefore, whoever boasts of the merits of his own works or puts his trust in works of supererogation, boasts of what does not exist, and puts his trust in damnable idolatry."

Mayflower · #20 (**permalink**) 11-04-2005, 03:05 PM

The doctrine of santification - A.W Pink

Don Kistler · #21 (**permalink**) 04-26-2006, 10:04 PM

Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life, by John Brown of Wamphray.