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One might ask a fundamental Protestant question about justification and sanctification: How do the two concepts of "rest" and "war" comport with one another? "Rest," of course, refers to the "rest" of faith on the justifying work of Christ's cross. "War" refers to the active fight between flesh and spirit inside ourselves as believers.
Those who emphasize "rest," spanning the spectrum from orthodox Lutheranism through "deeper-life/higher-life/let-go-and-let-God" spirituality expect to prosecute the war within by spiritual rest. Will they not always be suspected of harboring antinomianism? Likewise, the fighting side will always be suspected by the others of having a commitment to legalism. War periodically breaks out between various proponents of these two camps.
The most significant engagement is that between orthodox Lutheranism and the orthodox Reformed. The Reformed always doubt the ability of the Lutheran way to really come to grips with sin and sanctification. The Lutherans are certain that the Reformed only have a half-way commitment to grace. This war has not yet been brought to an end through a common understanding, and therefore, the Lutheran/Reformed schism remains unhealed.
I once asked a Lutheran pastor about their view of "limited atonement" which I had found to be "hypothetical universalism". He had been through various denominations including some which were fully reformed and as a typical Lutheran pastor, had an eight year degree. His only defense of the doctrine was to appeal to the nature of God as a father.
ReplyDeleteI think this speaks to their high view of man and therefore their low view of man's depravity.
Reviewed and retained.
ReplyDelete