Theological Guide to Calvin's Institutes – Justification and Union with Christ

Gaffin reflects in Chapter 11 on John Calvin’s view of justification and union with Christ in Book 3 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Gaffin gives a brief overview of the treatment of justification in successive editions of the Institutes from 1536 to 1559. Next, he considers what Calvin mean by the “double grace” (duplex gratia) that believers receive by union with Christ.

Overcoming Sin and Temptation – Life in the Midst of Battle: John Owen's Approach to Sin, Temptation, and The Christian Life

This chapter is an introduction to John Owen and his most important works on sanctification. Sanctification meant for Owen that Christians are called to learn the art of battle. To fight the battle of faith Owen wants his readers to understand the nature of sin, the complexity of the human heart, and the goodness and provision of God.

Acting the Miracle – Incentives for Acting the Miracle: Fear, Rewards, and Multiplicity of Biblical Motivations

This chapter wants to correct a too-narrow focus on motivations for sanctification. DeYoung believes that preachers and counsellors are too limited in the tools available to encourage biblical holiness. He feels that commands, gratitude, and duties are unhelpful on their own. Believers are motivated in different ways. He illustrates from Colossians 3 that there is a wide array of motivations for holiness.

Acting the Miracle – Prelude to Acting the Miracle: Putting Sanctification in Its Place

In the first part of Chapter 1, Piper defines sanctification. In the next part he gives it a place in the order of salvation. He explains that sanctification has to do with being and becoming holy and this is nothing less than a sharing in the holiness of God.

Acting the Miracle – The Search for Sanctification's Holy Grail

What is a biblical understanding of sanctification? The author explains that Scripture talks about sanctification in two different ways, definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification. He further warns against cheap slogans that communicate unhelpful and even misleading understandings of sanctification. He continues with a discussion of the centrality of union with Christ in believers’ sanctification.