In Chapter 4: "Redemption," Plantinga helps me learn some of the stuff we learned in Prelude. I'm not CRC, so all of this is new toe me, but I'm getting a better grasp of the system. I had never before heard of the Catechisms (at least outside of Catholicism and Lutheranism) or even the Creeds. My interests are quite peaked, but I am not at all ashamed of not knowing the Creeds or specific doctrines. In fact, I am quite proud that the only thing that has really influenced my thinking up to this point has been the Bible and my dad. Obviously there are other minor things, but primarily these are my sources. I am definitely open to learning CRC history, and simply Christian history, but ideas provided in creeds are merely food for thought, not law. So if I sound stupid with terminology, it's because I am.
When Plantinga talks about double grace, I am slightly confused but I think I get the point of it. Essentially, when we accept God we are free from the bondage of sin, and free to do God's will. I have heard this sermon a few times, that many people refuse Christianity because it "ties you down," when in fact we are free. As far as three effects of the double grace, though, I have no idea what he's talking about. He says regeneration, justification, and sanctification, are real events with real effects. I still have no idea what he's talking about. Can someone please explain when I've had this in my life? He really leaves me hangin' here...
I'm rather unfamiliar with Plantinga's term "regeneration" myself and I'm one of those born and bred CRC folk. I think he just uses it as an abbreviation for "justification and sanctification."
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Protestant view, justification is a change in God's view of us: rather than seeing us as the sinners we are, he credits us with the righteousness of Christ, which happens when we accept Christ as our savior and therefore his death for our sins.
Sanctification is then the lifelong process of growth and faithfulness as we try (by the power of the Holy Spirit) to become more and more like Christ in our lives. This could be simplified to the "works" part of our faith, but its really much more than that. It's approaching our works with the right heart and attitude.
Hope this helps.
If you're interested in learning more CRC theology (even if just out of curiosity), I'd suggest you take Religion-131. I found it really interesting and helpful to have everything explained and laid out. It provides a good base from which to ask deeper, probing questions.
By the way, if you have questions like this during class, I'd encourage you to ask them. There's probably several classmates who are wondering the same thing and would appreciate having the questions raised. You have the blessing of being able to "look at" this CRC stuff better than most of us. You might be able to provide a new, fresh perspective!
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteDo ask in class...
But for now: when Plantinga says that 'regeneration, justification, and sanctification, are real events with real effects' he means that God starts transforming us in what we will become. The 'eternal splendors' that C.S. talks about.
Things that are wrong in our lives start 'to turn out to be' good - God cleans us up. After we have confessed, asked His forgiveness and have turned away from it, God can now use all for a beautiful whole, the new me.
Mostly, my most problematic areas will become my biggest assets. Ex. I have problems with my anger (an emotion), when I ask God to help me that emotional self can now be freed for 'JOY'. The problem is that this happens slowly, so we cannot well notice it (others may...).
adriana