Lesson 8 Flashcards
(7 cards)
What is one image given in the NT for our union with Christ?
Marriage relationship (Eph 5:25-32)
Detail the 4 aspects of union with Christ
Different elements of our union with Christ
The union of the decree
* Predestinarian union with Christ
Union by way of Election
* Father choosing His elect
The union of the incarnation
* Christ shares with ALL humans by virtue of His incarnation
* Not salvific to all
The redemptive-historical union
* Union involved in the once and for all salvation
* Christ takes on human flesh
* His crucifixion is our crucifixion
* His resurrection is our resurrection
* His ascension is our ascension
* ect
The applicatory union
* Union that believers have in Christ by faith
* Application of salvation by the Holy Spirit
Give a brief overview of the doctrine of union with Christ
The intimate and spiritual union between Christ and his people, by virtue of which he is the source of their life, strength, blessedness, and salvation (Berkhof, 449)
Union with Christ underlies the entire ordo salutis (WLC 69)
- Union with Christ is organic—Christ and his bride form one body
- Unity of life: we are animated by Christ; Christ is formed in us
- Mediated by the Holy Spirit
- Reciprocal—Christ initiates and believers exercise their faith
- Personal
- Transforming and conforming
Define ordo salutis and list its various elements (in order)
- ordo salutis = The order of the work of the Triune God is working Salvation to the elect.
- The ordo salutis describes the process by which the application of redemption is subjectively realized in the hearts and lives of sinners. It aims at describing the logical, non-temporal, order of the various elements of our union with Christ. (Berkhof, ST, 415-16)
- Election: Eph 1:4
- Effectual Calling: 1 Pet 5:10
- Faith: Eph 3:16-17a
- Justification: Rom 8:1; 1 Cor 1:30
- Adoption: Gal 3:36
- Sanctification: Jn 15:5
- Perseverance: Jn 15:6
- Glorification: 2 Cor 5:17; cf. Isa 65:17; 66:22
Union with Christ underlies the entire ordo salutis (WLC 69)
Who are the primary voices against the ordo salutis, and what are their complaints?
1. N.T. Wright
* has no place for OS
* Hangover from the reformation
1. T.F. Torrance
Chief complaints against OS
1. G.C. Berkouwer
* The reformed tradition has misinterpreted Rom 8:29-30
* Paul is speaking of the richness not the order of salvation
* open to the same objections that we have against the Roman Catholic
- Otto Weber
* Paul uses aris verbs which
* OS is a chronological sequence of events divorced from our union with Christ.
* Stages of a rocket - each stage is unnecessary when used. - Karl Barth
* Temporal sequence of events - Herman Ridderbos
* There is no such thing as a systematic process of salvation.
* Paul is not presenting an OS - William B. Evans
* The deceive break with the OS is implied
* The OS has vitiated Reformed theology - Richard B. Gaffin
* Does not account for eschatology until the final stage of our justification
* Disconnected series of events and not connected to Union with Christ.
* Argues it is only found in Rom 8
What is a sorites? Provide a scriptural example
- A heap, degrees, steps, or chain
- Commonly employed by Greek waters
- Paul employs a defensive sorites, an argument of anticipated objections and can be stated negatively or positively
- Logical patterns which appear elsewhere in Romans
- Rom 8:29-30 is a sorites (note that Paul begins Rom 5 with a sorites)
Examples:
Rom 5:1-5
Rom 10:14-15
Rom 8:29-30
How is the ordo salutis connected to eschatology?
- The Holy Spirit is the agent of the ordo salutis, and he is the agent through whom Christ launches the new creation though the outpouring of the Spirit
- Every aspect of the ordo salutis is eschatological
- The already-not-yet colors the ordo salutis
Already
* Predestination
* Calling
* Justification
* Adoption
* Sanctification
* Preservation
Not Yet
* Adoption
* Resurrection
* Glorification
