Forensic Justification

WOW!! Deep words, we even talked about this at tonights CE meeting and a bit of what Pelagianism means. This is what doctoral projects do for you. ALthough no sermons, but maybe a Wednesday night to explain how our theology arises from the 4th century, mainly Augustine and Pelagius. For one of the first times in my Christian life, it makes more sense to see our faith from a 4th century construct.

Well, I'm just finishing writing about 5 pages of criticism about Dallas Willard's view of sanctification and forensic justification. It seems strange to be critical of someone held in such high regard, but some of his statements just didn't make much sense to me. For example, look at this statement from an article I found written by Willard,

The "aim of disciplines in the spiritual life - and specifically, in the following of Christ is the transformation of the total state of the world. It is the renewal of the whole person from the inside, involving differences in thought, feelings, and character that may never be made manifest in outward behavior at all."

I don't get how you can be changed on the inside, in your heart, because of Christ, yet not have any corresponding outward actions! That does not compute for me, so if you have any insight which leads me to be reading this statement the wrong way, let me know. I might add, this was in my first submission and was not questioned.

Anyway, I have only 1 1/2 more items to update, correct, etc. One is a deeper explanation of Paul's statement about being a new person in Christ from 2 Corinthians 5:17. That will take more thought and more theological reading about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings and nite nite!!