Union with Christ, Justification, and Sanctification
March 27th, 2009 by James GrantWithin Reformed theology there is an current debate on the nature of union with Christ in connection with justification and sanctification. Specifically, the issue involves whether sanctification flows out of union with Christ (or definitive sanctification) or justification.
Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., recently did an interview with Christ the Center discussing this very topic. You can listen to that discussion here. Gaffin also has a few articles addressing this issue in the latest edition of Ordained Servant. You can read his review of Michael Horton’s Covenant and Salvation, as well as in his response to John Fesko’s criticisms of his views (in this review article dealing with John Calvin). Here are a few resources connected to this discussion addressing how sanctification flows out of union with Christ:
- John Murray, Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol 2: Systematic Theology
- John Murray, Redemption: Accomplished and Applied
- Richard Gaffin, Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology
- Richard Gaffin, By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation
- Mark Garcia, Life in Christ: Union with Christ and Twofold Grace in Calvin’s Theology
I also noticed that Scott Clark recently posted on John Murray’s view of definitive sanctification here, and D. G. Hart has two posts commenting on the issue here and here.
Posted in Union with Christ | 3 Comments »
August 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
March 6th, 2010 at 6:21 am
I agree union with Christ is the matrix within which Justification etc are to be understood and aligned. The question is where does the bible locate this union. Gaffin in the past has rightly located it in Christ’s death and resurrection. In fact there can be no union for us with Christ before his death. In his death our sin is borne and Adam is condemned thus making a union of life possible. We, as new creation are united to him in resurrection. We are raised with him, seated with him etc. My point is IAO implies a union with Christ prior to his death something Scripture never teaches. My righteousness is unrighteousness and Adam condemned and judged in the cross and union with a vindicated Christ in resurrection sharing by virtue of a new life in the Spirit in Christ’s acceptance etc presently.
March 6th, 2010 at 6:39 am
To clarify my last sentence which I think is a bit confusing: my righteousness is twofold. First I am made righteous through Christ’s death. There my unrighteousness/sin and Adamic humanity is judged/condemned and put to death. This clears me of all sin. I am therefore righteous. A man with no sin imputed against him is considered righteous (Roms 4:1-8). I am at the cross justified by his blood. We cannot rob the cross of its justifying effects. It does not partially justify it completely justifies. Yet we have an added status. It is the status of sharing in the vindication of Christ in his resurrection. We in him are a new creation. We share his status and state before God. We are accepted in the son he loves (Eph 1). Justification is unto life (Roms 5). By grace we share in Christ’s triumph and all it involves. We like him have been separated from this world (definitive sanctification) and have a new life that cannot sin and by the Spirit produces Christlikeness presently. The war between flesh and Spirit means this life imperfectly is expressed, yet it is truly expressed and is the sign that we are really sons of God.
Again, there is no place or need of a place for IAO in this understanding of Union with Christ. It is to my mind little wonder many rejected it over the centuries.