In a wonderful
example of Protestant authors shooting themselves in the foot, theologically,
note the following from a book on sanctification by Neil T. Anderson and Robert
Saucy. While they are speaking of sanctification, note that their arguments
against “substitutionary” sanctification could also be levelled against their
understanding of the atonement and justification:
We must actively exercise our will and do
good works. Why? Substitutionary sanctification would destroy the individual,
separate human person. For the Spirit to actually perform the work of
sanctification without the human person’s involvement would entail the mystical
absorption of the human person into God and destroy the individual. If it is
Christ or the Spirit doing everything, then there is no human person left. (Neil
T. Anderson and Robert Saucy, The Common
Made Holy: Developing a Personal and Intimate Relationship with God [Eugene,
Oreg./Crowborough, East Sussex: Harvest House Publishers/Monarch Publications,
1997],140-41 )
The authors
do appeal to Gal 2:20 to support their forensic model of justification on p. 141,
notwithstanding, such rests on eisegesis. For a discussion of this and Col
2:14, see:
