The Augustinian Dispensational Perspective
The Augustinian-Dispensational Perspective on Sanctification
In general, the perspective that the Augustinian-Dispensational framework of theological analysis provides on sanctification is quite similar to the rest of the interpretations of the subject matter. However, there are three key aspects of the Augustinian-Dispensational standpoint that single it out from the rest of the philosophical provisions. Specifically, the Augustinian-Dispensational philosophy suggests that sin is an inalienable aspect of human nature, which is why it is crucial for a Christian to “walk in the Spirit” (Dieter et al., 1996, p. 175).
In fact, the specified statement is a direct reference to the Biblical postulate concerning the importance of following Jesus’s teachings (Galatians 5:16, New International Version, 1973). Thus, the Augustinian-Dispensational philosophy emphasizes the role of the Spirit in sanctification, as well as an individual’s agency in reaching the state of salvation.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Augustinian-Dispensational Perspective
The Augustinian-Dispensational approach toward interpreting the Bible allows for a very accurate rendition of the Biblical teachings due to the literal interpretation of the wisdom that it contains. Therefore, the opportunity to receive crucial Biblical messages and teachings in a raw and unfiltered way is one of the main advantages of the Augustinian-Dispensational framework. However, the specified benefit comes with the disadvantage of connecting the notion of sin to a very orthodox and rigid ideology, thus, preventing the interpretation of Christianity to evolve past the specified respective (Dieter et al., 1996).
Evaluating Sider’s (2005) Efforts to Defend His Position
Although the Augustinian-Dispensational framework has several distinctive issues, particularly, the one with the identification of the nature of sin, it still needs to be examined as a valid interpretation of the concept of holiness and the related notion of sanctification. Therefore, in his attempts at examining both advantages and disadvantages of the Augustinian Dispensational perspective on sanctification and holiness, Sider (2005) provides a rather compelling argument.
Sider’s Position Compared to Others
Comparing Sider’s (2005) statement concerning the Augustinian-Dispensational perspective to those provided by other scholars, one should give the author credit for providing a historical introduction to the subject matter. By offering an insight into the development of the Augustinian-Dispensational position on sanctification and holiness, Sider (2005) has shown the exact line of reasoning and the rationale for the specified opinion to exist, which proves its value and moves the discussion forward.
Doctrine of Holiness
How Does the Concept of “Purifying Grace” Guard Us against Extremes?
The concept of purifying grace remains one of the central notions in the doctrine of holiness. Implying the opportunity to be absolved of sin by the grace of God, the specified concept stems from the Augustinian Dispensational framework and suggests that any sinner can be granted forgiveness after experiencing repentance (Leclerc, 2010). One could argue that the specified idea could push a Christian toward extremes, particularly, the idea of sinful behavior that could result in forgiveness, in the end, no matter what actions an individual could take.
However, the described interpretation of the idea of purifying grace is quite far from the truth since it does not grant an immediate absolution from sin and does not remove every bit of remorse from an individual instantly. Instead, the phenomenon of purifying grace is seen as the concept that guides one on the path toward spiritual healing and the opportunity to abandon one’s sinful behaviors willingly (Dieter, 1996). Thus, the notion of purifying grace allows keeping Christians from falling into extremes in their choice of behaviors. It establishes the concept of a careful balance between the complete rejection of anything that it secular and unapologetic enjoyment of sinful behaviors as the exact opposite of the previous stance.
How Should We View Denominational Codes of Conduct?
Similar to any other philosophy, the Christian one has very rigid standards for ethics and behavior, which implies that there are specific codes of conduct that must be adhered o at all times. Compliance with the specified standards allows one to remain virtuous and keep Christian integrity while making decisions and resolving ethical dilemmas. However, the idea of having denominational codes of conduct that may vary depending on the type of Christian philosophy applied to the interpretation of sanctification and holiness might seem like an unnecessary addition.
Since unifying Christians under the concept of the Christian faith and the teachings offered in the Scripture should be seen as the ultimate goal, the presence of denominational codes of conduct might serve as an additional divisive factor. However, on further analysis, one will realize that the presence of denominational codes of conduct allows sustaining plurality within the context of the Christian doctrine. Therefore, denominational codes of conduct should be viewed as the opportunity for keeping the multitude of opinions on the issues of sanctification and holiness open to discussion.
What Does It Mean to Be Sexually Pure?
It is typically believed that the discussion of anything of sexual nature is deemed forbidden in Christianity, whereas sexuality itself is regarded as a sign of moral decadence. However, the described opinion is quite erroneous since the idea of sexuality, as well as sex itself, is rather erroneous. Specifically, theological studies pay particular attention to the concept of sexuality and the notion of being sexually pure. Applying the Augustinian Dispensational interpretation of holiness, one will gain an understanding of being sexually pure as an idea that is intrinsically connected to the concepts of sanctification and holiness.
Indeed, in the Augustinian perspective, the presence of sin even in the tiniest amount and in the least noticeable way immediately corrupts an individual completely (Snider, 2017). Therefore, reaching sexual purity is only possible in an individual that remains morally pure in every other area (Leclerc, 2010). In turn, the Augustinian-Dispensational perspective suggests that the presence of sexual impurity immediately and irreversibly corrupts an individual in every other aspect of his or her spiritual development (Leclerc, 2010). Thus, in the specified philosophy, being sexually pure suggests striving toward general holiness and sanctification, namely, focusing on maintaining morality in every aspect of one’s development.
Why Did Wesley Have to So Often Explain What He Meant by “Christian Perfection”?
The notion of Christian perfection could seem a simple idea, yet it embraces a broad range of characteristics that make pinpointing the exact definition rather difficult. In his attempts at defining the subject matter, Wesley emphasized the necessity to transition from the current state to that one of Christian perfection, thus delineating the effort that needs to be made in order to achieve the specified stage of spiritual development (Snider, 2017). However, since the interpretation that Wesley provided for Christian perfection implied a certain amount of subjectivity, further explanations were crucial.
In addition, since the concept of perfection is typically viewed from a very subjective standpoint, further clarifications for explaining Wesley’s perspective were essential. Indeed, in the traditional interpretations of the subject matter in most doctrines, the notion of Christian perfection is equated to those ones of holiness and sanctification (Snider, 2017). The described point of view makes Christian perfection an unattainable state for which one can only strive but will hardly ever reach. Therefore, for Wesley to explain his stance, it was essential to delineate the difference between the traditional interpretation of Christian perfection as the path to sanctification and the one of spiritual maturity (Snider, 2017). Promoting the latter concept, Wesley made it explicitly clear that he supported the idea of constant progress.
Can You Think of Other Wording to Substitute in Place of “Christian Perfection” and Still Maintain Its Truth for the 21st Century?
The perspectives on ethics and social justice have experienced a significant shift over the past several decades, which has also affected the Christian community. A range of new values has been added to the collection of principles according to which people should interact, thus expanding the range of opportunities for cross-cultural communication without the fear of misconceptions or misunderstandings. In order to meet the new ideas of ethical behavior and personal growth, the Christian perspective and, particularly, the idea of Christian perfection needs to reflect the specified alterations (Dieter, 1996). For this reason, the current approach used within the context of the Augustinian-dispensational context needs to evolve beyond the current boundaries.
Specifically, the very wording of Christian perfection could be substituted with a more appropriate concept. Specifically, given the present focus on continuous improvement and the necessity to evolve, one may need to introduce the notion of Christian spiritual development instead. Allowing for a shift in the focus toward personal growth, the specified wording would allow for constant positive change.
What is the Connection between Pentecost and Holiness?
The connection between Pentecost and holiness is another important statement that the Augustinian Dispensational perspective provides. At first glance, Pentecost does not seem to be intrinsically linked to holiness as a concept. However, on further notice, the fact that Pentecost embodies the notion of the Triune will surface, thus leading to the further creation of an obvious connection. Specifically, since the Triune is expected to embody the unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, it can also be interpreted as the transfer from the realm of the spiritual (the Father) to the earthly one with the further path toward redemption and sanctification (the Son) (Leclerc, 2010).
The final hypostasis of the specified concept, namely, that one of the Holy Spirit, closes the described succession and implies reaching the state of complete sanctification and holiness. Thus, Pentecost should be seen as the holiday that bears a distinct connection to the concept of holiness as it is represented in the Augustinian-Dispensational framework.
Furthermore, the concept of the Triune can be seen as an example of sanctification attained successfully and spiritual development being completed, with the resulting holiness being represented as a spiritual gift. As Leclerc (2010) explains, the doctrine of Pentecostalism allows interpreting the notion of spiritual gifts as the test that one needs to pass in order to attain holiness and reach the state of sanctification. From this standpoint, the notion of holiness garners a specific role in the Pentecostal perspective since it becomes the ultimate gift granted to an individual that has completed his or her spiritual development and reached sanctification.
Reaction Paper (Ronald Sider, 2005)
Summary
In Christian philosophy, a very thick lie has always been drawn between the Christian doctrine and the rest of the philosophies, with the concept of ethical superiority prevailing in the narrative. Therefore, those that align with the Christian principles and values have always been expected to act upon the standards of the Christian faith and with respective values and principles in mind, thus being distinctively different from the rest of the world. However, in the contemporary global setting, the behaviors and attitudes of Christian people seem to be visibly indistinguishable from those of other people belonging to different religions and concessions.
In his paper, Sider (2005) addresses the evident incongruence between the expectations set for Christian people and their actual lifestyles, thus attempting at resolving the obvious conflict. Specifically, according to Sider (2005), the propensity among Christian people to succumb to secular temptations such as the abuse of substances, the use of pornography, and the propensity to violence, to name a few, have been surfacing, thus signifying the necessity for change.
In his book, Sider (2005) argues that the difference in the lifestyle that is expected of Christian people based on the respective values and the observed reality can be managed by reinforcing the accountability of Christians to their church. In turn, the specified shift in the attitudes of Christian people toward the Church and the values that it encourages will be facilitated by the reintroduction of Christians to the foundational principles of Christianity. In addition, Sider (2005) suggests the idea of donating to a church as the means of creating a connection within the community and emphasizing the contribution that each participant makes. As a result of the reinforced unity, better compliance with Christian traditions and ideas is expected to occur.
Evaluation
- World perception. Sider (2005) appears to perceive the world as rapidly developing and becoming increasingly filled with new information, which makes it excessively difficult to filter data and apply ethical standards to evaluate it. Moreover, Sider (2005) points to the problem of any type of information being readily available to nearly everyone. Thus, the threat of people opting for sinful activities and ideas, ranging from pornography to expressing contempt for those in need, becomes increasingly high. Remarkably, Sider (2005) does not advocate for curbing the extent of data available to people but, instead, calls for a more responsible approach toward its consumption.
- Assumptions. Sider (2005) makes several crucial assumptions throughout his analysis, the key one concerning the necessity to fight against the increasing number of temptations that Christians face in the globalized environment. Establishing that the lack of unity within the Christian movement has made it possible for a number of believers to deviate from crucial Christian values and principles, Sider (2005) makes it quite clear that people need to return to following the teachings of Jesus. Otherwise, the Christian community may ultimately dissipate due to the increase in the level of discord and the propensity toward sinful behaviors among the community members.
- Main idea. The book addresses quite a variety of important ideas, yet the plight for restoring the Christian community and ensuring that its members follow the teachings of Jesus closely and apply Christian ethics to their daily life is evident. In addition to outlining the specified problem, Sider (2005) is also very insistent in his claim that personal contributions to the development of the Christian community will increase the sense of unity across it. Specifically, the author encourages the idea of using financial investments as a means of increasing people’s accountability to the Church. Specifically, Sider (2005) is confident that, by making each community member pay a specific amount of money for the development of the Church, the sense of unity and, consequently, the willingness to comply with Christian principles among believers will be restored.
- Purpose. The author makes the goal of his writing explicitly clear, emphasizing the presence of troubling trends within the Christian community. Specifically, Sider (2005) establishes that he aims at reducing the propensity toward sinful behaviors and attitudes in Christians, while also making them more appreciative of Jesus’s teachings. Moreover, the author evidently seeks to promote a change across the Christian community, focusing on the role of unity and the significance of revisiting foundational Christian ethics and values. Furthermore, Sider (2005) seeks to create a framework that could serve as the unifying mechanism for the Christian community.
- Outcome. The book pinpoints the problem of change in behaviors and attitudes of modern Christians, particularly, their perception of sin and the outcomes of engaging in unethical practices. Specifically, Sider (2005) communicates the problem of failing to withstand the temptations that the modern world offers to people. Finally, Sider (2005) provides an effective tool for addressing the outlined concerns.
- Evidence. To emphasize the dangers of present-day temptations, Sider (2005) uses quite a number of examples, which include, but are not restricted to, online anonymity, access to pornography, and a drop in the role of empathy in people’s lives. As a result, Sider’s (2005) argument becomes very compelling, and his plight gains more substance.
- Argument evaluation. Given the range of evidence that Sider (2005) has provided, the argument that he offers appears to be quite legitimate. Modern believers are clearly failing in meeting the principles established in the Scripture, which can be attributed both to external factors, namely, the rise in the number of temptations, and internal ones, particularly, the loss of inner strength.
Application
- Recommendation. The idea of people’s moral standards becoming increasingly loose is not new and representing it in a way that would not seem trite while also making a legitimate point is very difficult. However, Sider (2005) manages to accomplish this task impeccably, which is why this book should be recommended widely across the Christian community. From a personal perspective, this book manages to capture the problematic nature of modern entertainment and media, particularly, its focus on glorifying indifference, cynicism, and moral nihilism. Therefore, Sider’s (2005) perspective will be very useful in dismantling the ostensible values of the specified phenomena.
- Rationale. As emphasized above, Sider’s (2005) attempt at deconstructing the problematic nature of some of the contemporary media as contradictory to foundational Christian values makes this book particularly valuable. Therefore, the strength and power of the argument that Sider (2005) makes is the primary rationale behind recommending this book to a broader audience. Whereas the idea of lamenting about people abandoning their Christian values is far from being new, very few people have compiled such an overarching range of evidence as Sider (2005) has. Therefore, reading this book will be instrumental both for average Christian believers, who will be encouraged to abandon their sinful behaviors, and for Christian leaders, who seek the methods to unify their communities.
- Relation to the topics. The book relates directly to a range of topics discussed in class. For instance, the problem of creating connections within the Christian community and promoting collaboration is addressed extensively. Moreover, the book examines the concept and nature of sin profoundly, allowing readers to expand upon their background knowledge of the subject matter. Finally, the notions of holiness, sanctification, and redemption are elaborated upon as the essential aspects of assisting a believer in returning to the church.
- Lessons learned. The book has provided a range of lessons to learn, the most important one being the opportunity to reinforce the spiritual connection across the community. Moreover, the book has demonstrated how media shapes people’s perception of ethics and morality, normalizing the behaviors and attitudes that are deemed as morally wrong in Christian philosophy. Therefore, the book has taught important lessons about the need to teach people to be resistant to questionable content while remaining open to the idea of free speech for all parties, including opponents.
- Change in views. Sider’s (2005) work has contributed to the reevaluation of the influence that modern media produces, as well as the identification of the problem that can be described as overexposure to information. With a flood of ideas being directed at people from all angles, filtering it becomes a nearly unmanageable task, which is why most Christians find it increasingly difficult to abstain from consuming harmful content. Therefore, while the importance of free speech remains high, the significance of strengthening the influence of Christian values among believers also becomes apparent after reading this book. Sider’s (2005) insight into the subject matter allows for creating the framework for unifying believers by making them contribute to the development of the Christian community personally. Thus, Sider has also effectively changed the current perspective on what can be done to counteract the harmful impact of exposure to harmful and sinful ideas and activities.
References
Dieter, M. E., et al. (1996). Five views on sanctification. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publications, Inc.
Leclerc, D. (2010). Discovering Christian holiness: The heart of Wesleyan-holiness theology. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, Inc.
Sider, R. J. (2005). The scandal of the evangelical conscience: Why are Christians living just like the rest of the world? Baker Group Publications, Inc.
Snider, G. L. (2017). The use of the Old Testament in a Wesleyan theology of mission. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, Inc.
The Bible. New International Version. (1973). Zondervan.