October 6, 2003 From My Files

What a week! not much posting as I am preparing to travel again.

I have had discussions in the past with a proponent of Sonship Discipleship and the teachings of John Miller. I have always thought there is much to commend it, but I disagree heartily with it on other fronts- to me it is warmed over Keswick passivity.

It would seem that it replaces Justification with Adoption as the prime locus of our salvation. Also there is the passivity issue. Several verses tell us we are to be actively engaged with our sanctification. Seen together they provide pretty powerful evidence against those who argue for a purely passive position:

2 Cor 7:1, "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God."

2 Timothy 2:21; "[Therefore] if anyone cleanses himself from [these
useless things] he will be an instrument of value and honor, made holy
(sanctified), and fit for the masters use - ready for every good work."

1 Jn 3:3, "And everyone who has this hope within him, purifies himself,
just as he is pure."

1 Tim 5:22b, "keep yourself pure"

1 Tim 6:11-12a, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness; fight the
good fight of faith"

Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue peace with all men, and [pursue] holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."

So the Christian is to be actively "cleansing ourselves, cleansing himself, purifying himself, keeping himself pure, pursuing righteousness and godliness, and pursuing holiness". All this is done with the indwelling unction and enabling of the Holy Spirit to be sure, but to say we are not involved denies the plain reading of scripture.