Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1986. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-145).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Logos Evangelical Seminary, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 259-267).

This research endeavors to answer the question of why the believer should obey, specifically considering the issues of motive and ability. The thesis of this study is that Jonathan Edwards provides the critical missing element of happiness in the sanctification debates of today, an element that is crucial for the doctrine of sanctification because it points to the One in whom true happiness is found and who is the believer’s good. This argument puts the focus on relationship and underlines the importance of union, all the while keeping the necessary tension of God’s work and man’s responsibility in obedience where Scripture places it. Edwards is a needed voice amid the questions that are raised concerning this essential doctrine today. Edwards shows that the affections and happiness do matter. This happiness comes through union, which not only connects the believer to the source of happiness, which is the Triune God but also enables a Christian to pursue it. Chapter 1 introduces the topic of study, setting the framework of what this research intends to do. Chapter 2 establishes the context of the sanctification debates today and the need in also showing how this context is bridged with Edwards own time. Chapter 3 provides the foundation of Edwards’s theology of sanctification with the Trinity, observing the ground of holiness, happiness, and grace. Chapter 4 gives the context of sanctification and how it fits into Edwards’s theology of the Christian life in a holistic redemption, showing both the objective and subjective work of Word and Spirit. Chapter 5 picks up the heart of the argument in looking at three major undercurrents in the Christian life as observed by Edwards, with the chapter answering the question of why the believer should obey. Chapter 6 explores the means to happiness, by examining the principle means of grace developed by Edwards all of which revolve around the truth of God’s Word as used by the Holy Spirit. Chapter 7 the research provides a biblical and theological evaluation of Edwards’s arguments as discussed in this dissertation, giving a defense of happiness as an answer to obedience. Chapter 8, the conclusion, presents the application of this research to the debates today as well as providing the theological legacy of Jonathan Edwards on the doctrine of sanctification.

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The aim of this study is to determine how the metaphor 'being crucified with Christ influences the ethics in Paul's letters. The approach is exegetical. The first purpose was to construct the socio-historical context of the phrase 'being crucified with Christ'. The cross, the modes of crucifixion and the phrase "with" are studied from a socio-historical perspective. It became clear that the cross was reserved as punishment for the lowest classes and the worst criminals. The cross was one of the cruellest and inhuman ways to kill someone. The shame and pain that accompany it was too much to bear. Any person in those times who heard they must be crucified with Jesus, would have been shocked to the core. Detailed exegesis has been done of two Scripture passages. Romans 6:1-14 and Galatians 2: 15-21. The two portions contain the phrase “being crucified with Christ”. The grammatical-historical method of exegesis has been used in the research. The phrase "being crucified with Christ” has then been studied against the background of the whole New Testament, using Scripture to enlighten Scripture, so as to establish the revelation historical development in the Bible. The phrase “being crucified with Christ” has also been studied in the light of the reformed confessions. It has been established that the rest of the scriptural revelation of God and the reformed confessions support the results of the exegesis. The influence of the phrase “being crucified with Christ” on the ethics of Paul has then been established. Three analytical categories were used, namely identity, ethics and ethos. It became clear that the fact that the believer died with Christ should have a great effect on the lie of the believer. His lie can never be the same again. Because God has liberated the believer from the power of sin, the believer should transfer all his allegiance to the one who has set him free. The believer is dead to sin and alive to God. He is no longer a slave to sin. The last chapter explored how these ethical implications of the phrase “being crucified with Christ” should be actualized in the life of the believer. It became clear that by faith the believer lives the new lie, with Christ actually living in him. Through his union with Christ, the believer undergoes transformation that should cause him to walk in newness of life. The Holy Spirit is at work through faith and the fruit of the Spirit should be manifest in the lie of the believer. The fact that the believer has been “crucified with Christ” is a metaphor that Paul uses to shock the believer to the realization that the new life in Christ has a complete impact on every area of the his lie. / Thesis (M.Th. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

This dissertation proposes that a necessary connection exists between a progressive model of sanctification and a compatibilist model of human freedom. Chapter 1 presents the thesis, background, and methodology for the dissertation, giving special interest to the way that compatibilism is uniquely qualified to accommodate the necessary link between one's character and conduct intrinsic to a progressive model of sanctification. Chapter 2 defines and examines the two most widely held models of human freedom: libertarianism and compatibilism. Compatibilism is shown to comport more closely with Scripture and to solve many of the nagging philosophical problems associated with a libertarian model of freedom. Chapter 3 continues to build a foundation for the remaining chapters by defining the three most widely held models of sanctification: Wesleyan perfectionism, Keswick, and Augustinian or progressive sanctification. Here it is argued that Wesleyan perfectionism and Keswick require a concomitant libertarian freedom, whereas an Augustinian model of sanctification requires compatibilism. Chapter 4 offers scriptural support for the connection between progressive sanctification and compatibilist freedom. The central focus is on determining the biblical author's intent and on laying the exegetical groundwork for the final chapter. Chapter 5 argues for the necessary connection between progressive sanctification and compatibilist freedom by questioning libertarian interpretations of the texts examined in the previous chapter. Since it potentially bifurcates the scriptural connection between one's character and conduct, libertarian freedom is shown to be a poor candidate for the type of freedom necessitated by a progressive model of sanctification. I close, in Chapter 6, by calling Evangelicals to return to a common sense understanding of the bounds of logic, scriptural fidelity to both God's gracious sovereignty and man's genuine freedom, and a greater sense of mystery concerning the nature of God.

Thesis advisor: Frederick G. Lawrence / This study investigates Aquinas' understanding of Christ's role in sanctification. In discussing the soteriological effect of Christ's passion, Aquinas makes a distinction between the manner in which the soteriological effect is brought about (modo efficiendi), the effect in itself, and the way the effect is obtained. The dissertation explores Aquinas' understanding of the third element - the securing of the effect of Christ's passion - and the relation of this third element to the first two. Sanctifying grace is given as a result of Christ's saving acts, is infused by an act of the Holy Spirit, and conforms its recipients to the Holy Spirit. But Christ's role in sanctification does not cease once the Holy Spirit is given. In Aquinas' judgment, Christ continues to be present in the giving of the gift, a giving that is also consequent upon a being conformed to Christ. The dissertation builds toward an examination of how Aquinas understands this being conformed to Christ, especially in light of Aquinas' conception of faith as a knowledge of God, of Christ as the source and object of faith's knowledge, and of charity's relation to this knowledge, all of which are analyzed against Aquinas' strict adherence to the principle that humans cannot know God in his essence so long as they remain in time / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Theology.

Thesis (M.Th. (New Testament))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [80]-87).