Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 07:1 (Fall 2020)
Article: How Sanctification Works: The Westminster Assembly And Progressive Sanctification
Author: Keith A. Evans

RPTJ 7:1 (Fall 2020) p. 27

How Sanctification Works:
The Westminster Assembly And Progressive Sanctification

Keith A. Evans

Professor of Biblical Counseling Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Question 75: What is sanctification?

Answer: Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath before the foundation of the world chosen to be holy, are in time through the powerful operation of his Spirit, applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin and rise unto newness of life. (Westminster Larger Catechism)

Introduction: The Westminster Assembly And Progressive Sanctification

The topic before the reader, is that of how sanctification works—or, in other words, the nature of progressive sanctification. The primary content to address that question will be the Westminster Assembly and their contemporaries. In other words, Westminsterian theology and its contemporary Puritan writings will be the primary documents consulted in addressing how the believer’s progressive sanctification takes place. To ask this chief consideration another way, we are purposing to determine how one increases in holiness. Thus this paper seeks to address how the believer, really and personally, increases in being set apart unto the Lord in this life, as conceived of by mid-1600 majority Reformed and confessional theology.

To further define our task at hand, let us differentiate between what is being spoken to and what is not under our purview. This paper does not seek to address the immediate break from the bondage of sin—the dominion of sin itself being done away with in the believer’s life. Thus, this paper is not dealing with definitive sanctification whatsoever. Additionally, this paper is not addressing the final and complete sanctification that the believer will experience when glorified, when he or she finally sees the Lord. Though both of these aspects, definitive sanctification (i.e., justification), and final sanctification (i.e. glorification), are referenced in the confessional material, they are not doctrines within the scope of the present treatise.

Instead, the sole doctrine before us at present is progressive sanctification—particularly, the practical theology of it, regarding how one becomes more holy.

RPTJ 7:1 (Fall 2020) p. 28

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