Various models of sanctification

I'm auditing a systematic theology class this semester. This week we began discussing models of sanctification. We will be doing a short overview (generalization) of Lutheran, Reformed, and Weslyan models. This week we learned about the Lutheran model. Now, I grew up in the Lutheran church and my extended family are mostly still active there, so I could really relate to what the professor was talking about. Because of Luther's involvement in the reformation and the commitment to salvation by grace ALONE, through faith ALONE, there is a strong desire to avoid anything that could possibly even hint at some kind of effort on the believer's part, lest we succumb to a works righteousness model. The over-simplification of this view is that the individual just needs to cease striving, focus on Christ, and the Spirit will spontaneously work Christ-likeness in the life of the believer in His timing.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in The Cost of Discipleship, says: "We Lutherans have gathered like the eagles around the carcass of cheap grace, and there we have drunk of the poison which has killed the life of following Christ. It is true, of course, that we have paid the doctrine of pure grace divine honours unparalleled in Christendom; in fact we have exalted that doctrine to the position of God himself. Everywhere Luther's formula has been repeated, but its truth (has been) perverted into self-deception. . . by making this grace available on the cheapest and easiest terms. To be 'Lutheran' must mean that we must leave the following Christ to legalists, Calvinists and enthusiasts – and all this for the sake of grace. We justified the world, and condemned as heretics those who tried to follow Christ. The result was that a nation became Christian and Lutheran, but at the cost of true discipleship. The price it was called upon to pay was all too cheap. Cheap grace had won the day."

What do you think? Is spiritual formation something that spontaneously occurs? If we speak of actively following Christ are we denying God's grace?

And this is what I'm talking about!

Okay; small example today of being transformed rather than conformed. There is a joke making it's way around Facebook about our nation's president. I saw it because some of my friends had "liked" it, so it was on my homepage. I'll admit that when I read it, my first reaction was, "that's clever." But, then I caught myself. It was very inappropriate. It saddened me. No matter what you may think about the way President Obama is leading, we are to pray for God to bless him and our other leaders, not pray for his demise. Ephesians 5:4 says, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." Now I like to have a good time and enjoy a joke as much as anybody. But, I needed to stop and consider if I would go with the flow of the culture and hastily share my amusement with all of my friends or if I would take seriously the commands of Scripture. It's not easy; I fall short all the time. But, enabled by His grace, I am being transformed.

What IS Spiritual Formation?

As I've been pondering this today and reading what others have written, I realize I need to get clear in my own mind, and then make clear to my readers, what I mean when I say "spiritual formation." I emailed a friend about this growing passion of mine and it was obvious from his response that the assumption was that spiritual formation could be considered something wholly other and separate from the truth of Scripture and good doctrine. That is definitely NOT what I mean when I talk about spiritual formation. I guess that's why I named this blog "Spiritual Transformation." I'm talking about the command in Romans, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." It's clear that true transformation happens through the renewal of the mind. Spiritual disciplines and practices certainly have their place in the process, but to suggest that spiritual formation originates anywhere else than in the truth of the revealed Word of God is to wander down a dangerous path.

My growing interest in spiritual formation has been provoked by experiences in the evangelical church where the Word is held in high esteem and the preaching of correct doctrine is highly valued, yet there seems to be a disconnect between the theology learned and the life lived. People know and acknowledge what Scripture commands but choose instead to be conformed to this world. Experiences like these are what impel me to consider the process of true spiritual formation and the pursuit of Christ-likeness. The writer of Hebrews says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." This is my God-given passion and desire. Thank you for letting me share it with you.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Beginning the Journey

Where do I begin? I have a passion to see lives transformed by the power of God. And it begins with my life. This is not about changing others, although I know God wants to do that. This is about allowing God to change me, and the privilege I have to participate in His transformation of my community and, ultimately, the world. This is about my journey as I try to understand the means God uses to bring about spiritual transformation. And, it's about learning from others' knowledge and experiences. I hope you will join me on this journey.