Resources on Sanctification
“It is much easier to lay down the law from the pulpit than to exemplify it in the home. We find it simpler to give directions about the way than to lead others in the way ourselves. . . . . God’s most powerful visual aid in the education of mankind is a consistent Christian.” – John R.W. Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1961), 97.
Read MoreToday is the anniversary of the birth of Charles Hodge, a towering leader in American Presbyterianism. We do well to pursue biblical studies and theology with his disciplined passion. Evangelical believers of previous generations spoke of “the force of truth.” And rightly so. Paul rejoices that the Romans “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17). That the union of will (obedience), affections (heart), and intellect (form of doctrine) marked their mature faith is no surprise. Through his Word, God appeals to our hearts through the mind, creating godly affections and sanctifying behavior. Charles Hodge knew the force of truth. His teaching career at Princeton Seminary spanned 58 years (1820-1878). Relationships with six decades of ministerial…
Read MoreAlexander Whyte reflects on the sad condition of those who are never wrong: “The mulish, obstinate, and proud man never says, I don’t know. He never asks anything to be explained to him. He never admits that he has got any new light. He never admits having spoken or acted wrongly. He never takes back what he has said. He was never heard to say, You are right in that line of action, and I have all along been wrong. Had he ever said that, the day he said it would have been a white-stone day both for this mind and his heart.” – Alexander Whyte, Bunyan Characters. 1893 (vol. 1 of Bunyan Characters; Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2000), 26.
Read MoreIn 1893 Scottish Presbyterian minister, Alexander Whyte, published his famous lectures on John Bunyan’s characters from The Pilgrim’s Progress. To modern readers, the language and style may seem dated, but his words on patience in marriage are just as timely as ever: “To begin with, how much impatience we are all from time to time guilty of in our family life. Among the very foundations of our family life how much impatience the husband often exhibits toward the wife, and the wife toward her husband. Patience is the very last grace they look forward to having any need of when they are still dreaming about their married life; but, in too many cases, they have not well entered on that life,…
Read MoreHow important is the minister’s personal holiness? Charles Bridges cautions, “A man who cannot persuade himself to be holy, will have little hope of succeeding with the consciences of others.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 157.
Read MoreHow important is the minister’s personal holiness? Charles Bridges cautions, “A man who cannot persuade himself to be holy, will have little hope of succeeding with the consciences of others.” – Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry (1830; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 157.
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