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Is "Sanctification" monergistic?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by quantumfaith, Dec 14, 2010.

  1. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Sproul Sr. said he following:

    "Sanctification is not monergistic. It is synergistic. That is, it demands the cooperation of the regenerate believer. We are called to work and grow in grace. We are to work hard, resisting sin unto blood if necessary, pummeling our bodies if that is what it takes to subdue them."

    Sproul, Chosen by God, 158

    Thoughts anyone?
     
  2. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    I think this is "spot on"!!! God can call all the day long, but until we respond..... However, God does have to call first, and then it's our responsibility to either say "yes Lord", or "no Lord", or "Lord i have some things i want to do first", etc. That being said, the responsibilty falls squarely on us after He calls!!

    i am I am's!!

    Willis
     
  3. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Yea Quantum, Im impressed. Your reading Sproul now too!
     
  4. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    Looks to be one of those using a "but" tacked onto salvation.
     
  5. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    No, intention was not anything "added" to whatever soteriology you hold, just simply, is our "sanctification" monergistic or synergistic?
     
  6. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    My thought is Sproul Sr. is wrong.
     
  7. SolaSaint

    SolaSaint Well-Known Member

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    I think you've opened a can of worms.

    If sanctification isn't monergistic then how do we receive our Spiritual gifts?
     
  8. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Sproul opened the can, I just moved it into our view.
     
  9. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    It is both- the first phase of it unto salvation is monergistic. (I Peter 1:2) The progressive phase of it post salvation is synergistic.
     
  10. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Sproul is simply being faithful to Scripture here.
     
  11. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    Calvinists do not have a problem with synergistic sanctification.
     
  12. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    That is so great to know that "synergism" is not completely anathema to my reformed brethren. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  13. ituttut

    ituttut New Member

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    It is nice to have works, for the right reason, but works has nothing to do with our salvation. The one that was killed at the same time as Jesus, deathbed salvation is completely void of any of OUR WORKS. Works are for any awards we may receive at our rewards ceremony
     
  14. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    That is certainly a resonable position.
     
  15. Luke2427

    Luke2427 Active Member

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    I didn't say ANYTHING about works.
     
  16. psalms109:31

    psalms109:31 Active Member

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    What if our treasure is people that God used us to touch with a better hope of drawing near to God through Jesus Christ?
     
    #16 psalms109:31, Dec 15, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 15, 2010
  17. stilllearning

    stilllearning Active Member

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    Hello quantumfaith

    Sproul had it "half right".

    Both Justification and Sanctification are by Grace through faith.

    By faith, we believe in order to be Justified, and by faith we obey, to be Sanctified.
    --------------------------------------------------
    When I said that Sproul was half right, what I meant was, for sure good works are required for Sanctification, but not just any old works.

    For instance, resisting sin won’t Sanctify us, but being changed will.........
    2 Corinthians 3:18
    “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.”


    We are changed(Sanctified), when we obey the Holy Spirit.

    As we study God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will speak to our hearts, about different parts of our life or heart, that need to be changed.
    As we obey this Spiritual conviction, Sanctification takes place and we are set apart unto God.

    Therefore we can’t be Sanctified on our own terms. We need the Holy Spirit, to inform us what He wants us to do.
     
    #17 stilllearning, Dec 16, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 16, 2010
  18. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    Good Point! :)
     
  19. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    That is not a thorough question since there are different aspects of sanctification in the Scriptures. One being what we refer to as positional sanctification, which we receive immediately upon salvation. The progressive part, that is, living Godly in Christ Jesus, seeking to be holy, as is presented to us in NT Scriptures is the other part of it, and is practiced by the redeemed of God as living sacrifices dedicated to Him after salvation.

    So it is not thorough in that it does not describe which position (positional/progressive) you are applying it to in your question.

    If what Sproul was saying applies to the first part, it would be outright heresy, therefore he must be speaking of the latter, that is, for lack of better wording, our own progressive sanctification, Hebrews 12:14.

    I really like how R. C. Sproul explains things.
     
  20. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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    It was simply a quote that I shared to illicit the responses of those here. Much like one that I shared the other day, and was taken to be "incendiary" . But fortunately, this one, not so much. I guess the debate that I was hoping to see is this.....It seems to me if salvation is ENTIRELY monergistic, then why would sanctification not also be ENTIRELY monergistic.
     
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