Note on Comments Feb 19

4 Comments

• 

  Paul

  February 21, 2009 at 3:13 pm

  small/large gospel – after dinner?
  Dr. Bock:
  May I ask another question, which is indirectly tied to your small/large gospel table illustration? If this does not fit into this discussion thread, than can we take this up separately or can you recommend some literature on this?

  I am trying to understand how Paul and the other NT writers shift from acceptance by faith in Jesus’ atonement now (Rom. 3:20-25) to acceptance at the final judgment based on works (Rom 2:13, 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:22-4:1).

  My background taught me to make a clear distinction between justification and sanctification (I am ok with this) and to carefully never mix the two in discussions of salvation (not so sure). I don’t see the same sensitivity in the NT. I was taught to see sanctification as a separate work of God, really separate, to the point that it is irrelevant to the final judgment for salvation. It was tied to “rewards” (1 Cor. 3:10-15). The word “inheritance” (1 Cor. 6:9) was treated as equivalent to rewards. If I didn’t care about rewards I could skate into heaven without obeying. But some of Paul’s language is not so cleanly separated.

  I understand that my justification today is a pulling forward of God’s acceptance of me on judgment day. I understand that God is doing many things in salvation, which includes forgiveness because of Christ (Rom. 8:33) and life change to be like Christ (Rom. 8:29). Are the apostles using the two perspectives – faith and works produced as a result of faith – interchangeably? I don’t see them explaining clearly how they can make this shift so easily when it causes us such heart burn.

  Thanks for considering this,
  Paul
  • 

    bock

    February 24, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    small/large gospel dlb

    Paul:

    My take is that the gift of the Spirit in God’s grace leads to the works discussed in these texts. Sanctification is distinguishable from justificaton but cannot be separated from it in that it follows it to soem degree at least as a consequence of justification. (i.e., God’s new birth does yield a product). I think this is where the NT is (I do not run to the rewards category as quickly as some on this topic).

    dlb
• 

  Magnus Nordlund

  February 24, 2009 at 11:11 am

  Textual Criticism
  Dr Bock, Ive got a short question:
  Which book on the topic of New Testament Textual Criticism is the best in the field (i.e. updated and relevant) today? Which one would you recommend buying?

  At this moment Im trying to determine whether it is the Metzger/Ehrman contribution or the one of Kurt Aland.

  Sincerely Magnus Nordlund
  • 

    bock

    February 24, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    Textual Critcism dlb

    Magnus:

    This is a close call. They are both solid.

    dlb