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Ken Peters's avatar

I think there are conflicts between the different groups because neither of them have it right. I'll give an example from the protestant side.

Protestants believe that justification is God declaring us to be righteous. They claim it is a singular instantaneous act. Justification is neither as singular act, nor is it instantaneous.

James says that Abraham was justified when he offered Isaac on the altar. Paul says he was justified when he was yet uncircumcised. Abraham was circumcised when he offered Isaac.

Abraham was justified more than once.

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Ralph Lewis's avatar

Richard, I want to truly thank you for this series. It was one where I eagerly awaited each post. As someone attempting to integrate Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and more recently the work of John Mark Comer into the fabric of a Protestant congregation that is relatively new to me, I had already been puzzling over some of the "frictions" that you so aptly described. I don't want to see problems where they may not exist, but neither do I want to naively step into unwelcome terrain.

Sometimes I think that many of my Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters may have a more robust grasp of what it means to have faith in Christ; namely, a lived relationship that includes a faithful living that continues to manifest over time. In addition to your discussion of monergism and synergism, I was also struck by your characterization of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. Yes, it is a challenge for me to hold together the "both/and" and I expect I am not alone here. Also, Scripture is certainly not devoid of references to effort and training, and Willard was quick to point out that effort was not necessarily synonymous with earning.

You have given me much to ponder.

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