I am currently still in the Reformed tradition after inquiring into Orthodoxy and Catholicism. I agree with your observation that Protestants tend to be preoccupied with justification and neglect sanctification. This isn't helped by the emphases on the conversion moment. I think a path forward for Reformed protestants is a proper emphasis on the doctrine of Union with Christ which is clearly a part of the Reformed tradition going back to the Reformers and evident in the Puritans. A Reformed doctrine of Union with Christ also properly integrates the forensic/legal aspects of Christ's headship, role as bridegroom, the one through whom we receive adoption, etc. I've enjoyed Letham's book, Marcus Johnson's book One with Christ. I just picked up Billing's book on the subject. As it relates to a rule of life/routine practices, the Reformed tradition has bountiful resources in this department as well. Works like those of JC Ryle unflinchingly lay out a robust practice of daily piety and devotion to God both as individual and in community.
Rankin Wilbourne's book, Union with Christ, used a great analogy of stereo vs. mono where Union with Christ is how both justification and sanctification are joined together in stereo, like a song playing in our heads. After Wilbourne's demise (as a fellow PCA pastor) there's a bit of a shadow on the book but I think the analogy is a good one.
I've read the Wilbourne book subsequently and found it to be a very helpful introduction. In the book he uses the Marcus Johnson book and references the Letham book as well.
Don’t underestimate the hunger many of us have, who grew up in low church Protestantism that emphasized content of faith over practice, for a more subjective experience of the love of God.
I’ve been in all sorts of Protestant congregations from Plymouth Brethren, to Baptist to Covenanter Reformed and charismatic. One of the biggest things missing from all of these churches was a robust teaching and understanding of the Incarnation and it’s implications for us as well as the nature of the Trinity. We gave lip service to it in order to be orthodox and that was it. Thanks to ministries like Perechoresis, and people like John Mark Comer, Tim Mackie, William Paul Young, etc., I personally have been experiencing a whole new love affair with the Triune God who is there. My friends, that I introduce this to, are doing the same.
My brother, who works in Methodist ministry, was talking about these exact issues. The person who comes to the altar to get saved and then 3 months later is behaving exactly as they did before their conversion. Clearly something more is needed…
I am currently still in the Reformed tradition after inquiring into Orthodoxy and Catholicism. I agree with your observation that Protestants tend to be preoccupied with justification and neglect sanctification. This isn't helped by the emphases on the conversion moment. I think a path forward for Reformed protestants is a proper emphasis on the doctrine of Union with Christ which is clearly a part of the Reformed tradition going back to the Reformers and evident in the Puritans. A Reformed doctrine of Union with Christ also properly integrates the forensic/legal aspects of Christ's headship, role as bridegroom, the one through whom we receive adoption, etc. I've enjoyed Letham's book, Marcus Johnson's book One with Christ. I just picked up Billing's book on the subject. As it relates to a rule of life/routine practices, the Reformed tradition has bountiful resources in this department as well. Works like those of JC Ryle unflinchingly lay out a robust practice of daily piety and devotion to God both as individual and in community.
Rankin Wilbourne's book, Union with Christ, used a great analogy of stereo vs. mono where Union with Christ is how both justification and sanctification are joined together in stereo, like a song playing in our heads. After Wilbourne's demise (as a fellow PCA pastor) there's a bit of a shadow on the book but I think the analogy is a good one.
I've read the Wilbourne book subsequently and found it to be a very helpful introduction. In the book he uses the Marcus Johnson book and references the Letham book as well.
As a PCA pastor, I await your next post with bated breath.
Don’t underestimate the hunger many of us have, who grew up in low church Protestantism that emphasized content of faith over practice, for a more subjective experience of the love of God.
I’ve been in all sorts of Protestant congregations from Plymouth Brethren, to Baptist to Covenanter Reformed and charismatic. One of the biggest things missing from all of these churches was a robust teaching and understanding of the Incarnation and it’s implications for us as well as the nature of the Trinity. We gave lip service to it in order to be orthodox and that was it. Thanks to ministries like Perechoresis, and people like John Mark Comer, Tim Mackie, William Paul Young, etc., I personally have been experiencing a whole new love affair with the Triune God who is there. My friends, that I introduce this to, are doing the same.
My brother, who works in Methodist ministry, was talking about these exact issues. The person who comes to the altar to get saved and then 3 months later is behaving exactly as they did before their conversion. Clearly something more is needed…
Does your brother's Methodist ministry maintain the practice of "class meetings" focused on growing in grace, etc?