Reformed Forum http://reformedforum.org Reformed Theological Resources Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:53:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 http://reformedforum.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2025/12/cropped-rf_logo_red2-32x32.jpg Sanctification – Reformed Forum http://reformedforum.org 32 32 false Lively Truths of the Puritans http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc966/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50783 Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Stephen Yuille, director of Puritan publishing at Reformation Heritage Books, for a conversation on Puritan spirituality and the devotional series […]]]> In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey welcomes Stephen Yuille, director of Puritan publishing at Reformation Heritage Books, for a conversation on Puritan spirituality and the devotional series 90 Days with the Puritans. Yuille reflects on his work with Puritan writings, the relationship between the mind and the affections, and the way the Puritans seek to move biblical truth from mere cognition into doxology, repentance, obedience, and perseverance.

The discussion centers on five “lively truths” that recur throughout the Puritan tradition: the majesty of God, the beauty of Christ, the severity of sin, the mystery of providence, and the hope of glory. Along the way, Camden and Stephen consider biblical meditation, Thomas Manton, holiness as divine beauty, beholding Christ through Scripture rather than mysticism, affliction as fatherly discipline, and the believer’s blessed hope in the face of death and suffering.

Resources Mentioned

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]]> In this episode of Christ the Center Camden Bucey welcomes Stephen Yuille director of Puritan publishing at Reformation Heritage Books for a conversation on Puritan spirituality and the devotional series ...ChurchHistory,PracticalTheology,Sanctification,ThePuritansReformed Forumfalseno Act Like a Man: Biblical Masculinity http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc962/ Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50522 Act Like a Man: Understanding the Biblical Call to Masculinity, published by […]]]> We welcome Matthew Adams, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon, South Carolina, to discuss his book Act Like a Man: Understanding the Biblical Call to Masculinity, published by Christian Focus. Adams argues for a vision of manhood grounded in Scripture and formed by the Holy Spirit rather than by cultural capitulation, reactionary posturing, or online personality-driven models of masculinity.

The conversation considers why the doctrine of Scripture and the work of the Spirit must come before any faithful account of biblical masculinity. Adams unfolds five marks of manhood—righteous living, sacrificial love, dependent leadership, courageous zeal, and humble servanthood—using David’s life as both a positive and negative example that ultimately points to Christ. The episode also addresses contemporary challenges in the church, the need for fathers and elders to disciple younger men, and the importance of presence, faithfulness, and generational responsibility in the home and covenant community.

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Resources mentioned

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]]> We welcome Matthew Adams senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Dillon South Carolina to discuss his book Act Like a Man Understanding the Biblical Call to Masculinity published by ...ChristianLiving,PracticalTheology,SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno Why Pastors Need Deep Theology and Real Friendship http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc955/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50332 Pastoral ministry requires more than competence, productivity, or weekly sermon preparation. It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure, grow, and remain faithful over time. In this conversation, Camden Bucey is joined by Derrick Brite and Sean Morris to explore why theological formation and pastoral brotherhood are essential for long-term ministry health.

Together, they reflect on the value of places like Twin Lakes Fellowship, the dangers of pastoral isolation, and the way meaningful friendships can provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual strength. They also make the case that deep theology is not a luxury for academics or large churches, but a necessity for faithful ministry in every context. This episode is a reminder that pastors are not meant to serve alone, and that rich doctrine and honest friendship are two of God’s ordinary means for sustaining those called to shepherd his people.

Check out the Larger for Life podcast.

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Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Twin Lakes recap
  • 02:55 Pastors Scholars Fellowship and last year’s experiment
  • 04:15 Chicago food banter, deep dish, beef, and regional cuisine
  • 10:54 Why pastors need deep theology and real friendship
  • 12:10 Reformed Forum updates, conference news, and the 1000th episode summit
  • 18:03 Sean Morris on discovering Twin Lakes Fellowship
  • 21:55 Derrick Brite on how Twin Lakes shaped his ministry path
  • 25:01 What’s at stake when pastors become isolated
  • 36:19 Ministry networking vs. real pastoral friendship
  • 41:57 How pastoral friendships bless wives and families too
  • 45:06 Theology, friendship, and sharpening one another in ministry
  • 55:36 Why deep theology matters in rural and small-church contexts
  • 1:08:46 Theology, worship, and why doctrine leads to doxology
  • 1:09:48 Larger for Life, listener feedback, and closing remarks

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]]> Pastoral ministry requires more than competence productivity or weekly sermon preparation It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure grow and remain ...ChristianLiving,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheology,SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno Who You Are in Christ—Identity, Purpose, and the Christian Life http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc949/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=50209 Christ […]]]> In a culture saturated with self-help strategies, identity politics, and the language of “manifesting,” where do Christians turn for a stable, coherent sense of self? On this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey sits down with pastor and author Justin N. Poythress to explore the deep theological roots of the identity crisis plaguing our age. Drawing from his new book, Who Am I? And What Am I Doing With My Life? Finding Stability and Purpose in Jesus (The Good Book Company), Poythress argues that only Christ can rightly function as our “master identity”—the organizing center beneath every role, relationship, and calling. Work, sexuality, politics, and even parenting all fail catastrophically when elevated to that ultimate position, because none of them can bear the weight of the human soul.

At the heart of the conversation lies a powerful biblical framework: we are in Christ while also being conformed to his image. Romans 8:29 declares that God predestined His people to be conformed to the image of His Son—a settled identity and a lifelong trajectory of growth. Poythress unpacks how 2 Corinthians 3:18 reframes the secular obsession with “manifesting” into the biblical practice of beholding Christ, the true mechanism of transformation. The episode also explores the church as a “thick community” designed for the kind of multi-dimensional, embodied relationships that curated online personas can never provide. For pastors, elders, and anyone seeking maturity in Christ, the takeaway is both liberating and compelling: the Christian life is a matter of becoming what you already are in Christ.

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Chapters

  • 00:07 Introduction
  • 08:50 Master and Sub-Identities
  • 13:53 Identity as a Theological Issue
  • 16:58 Romans 8:29
  • 21:22 Manifesting vs. Beholding
  • 28:09 The Means of Grace
  • 32:19 Thick Communities
  • 41:12 Authenticity
  • 46:14 Work, Sexuality, and Politics as Functional Religions
  • 51:12 Becoming What You Are in Christ
  • 56:29 Conclusion

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]]> In a culture saturated with self help strategies identity politics and the language of manifesting where do Christians turn for a stable coherent sense of self On this episode of ...Anthropology,ChristianLiving,Ecclesiology,PracticalTheology,Sanctification,UnionwithChristReformed Forumfalseno Summary of Christian Doctrine: Sanctification and Perseverance http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/tsp306/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:50:52 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=43589 Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We turn to chapter XXII, “Sanctification and Perseverance.” After too long of a break from […]]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound, Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof’s little book, Summary of Christian Doctrine. We turn to chapter XXII, “Sanctification and Perseverance.” After too long of a break from recording, Rob and Bob were able to sit down together to discuss God’s work of sanctifying his people, the nature of good works, and how God’s people persevere to the end. 

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]]> This week on Theology Simply Profound Rob and Bob discuss Louis Berkhof s little book Summary of Christian Doctrine We turn to chapter XXII Sanctification and Perseverance After too long ...SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno Reformed Academy Update / Union with Christ and Sanctification http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc716/ Fri, 17 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000 https://reformedforum.org/?post_type=podcast&p=34093 Union with Christ: The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory. This latest […]]]> Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss Reformed Academy and the newest course to launch on the platform, titled Union with Christ: The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory. This latest course is taught by Lane Tipton, and we include the tenth and final lecture toward the end of this episode.

Video Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:13 The Courses at Reformed Academy
00:11:49 Future Course Availability
00:14:15 Podcasts, Videos, and Chapter Markers
00:16:06 The Process of Producing a Course
00:22:53 Translating the Course Videos
00:29:26 The Global Reach of Reformed Academy
00:38:06 How to Help
00:45:05 Union with Christ and Sanctification
01:37:42 Conclusion

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]]> Ryan Noha and Camden Bucey discuss Reformed Academy and the newest course to launch on the platform titled Union with Christ The Benefits of His Suffering and Glory This latest ...Education,SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno [Review] Grounded in the Gospel http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr89/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr89/#respond Tue, 16 Dec 2014 05:00:25 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?post_type=podcast&p=3955 Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett, published by Baker Books. Participants: […]]]> Jim Cassidy reviews Grounded in the Gospel: Building Believers the Old-Fashioned Way, by J.I. Packer and Gary Parrett, published by Baker Books.

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr89/feed/ 0 Jim Cassidy reviews Grounded in the Gospel Building Believers the Old Fashioned Way by J I Packer and Gary Parrett published by Baker BooksSanctification,SoteriologyReformed Forumfalseno Meditative Thoughts on Good Works http://reformedforum.org/meditative-thoughts-good-works/ http://reformedforum.org/meditative-thoughts-good-works/#comments Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:45:43 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?p=3860 Logos Bible Software. Several months ago I created a customized reading plan to guide me through Charles Hodge’s three volumes by the end of year. Next year I plan […]]]> I love Logos Bible Software. Several months ago I created a customized reading plan to guide me through Charles Hodge’s three volumes by the end of year. Next year I plan to work through Richard Muller’s Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics. The discipline of reading through rich theological and historical works in conjunction with my daily reading of Scripture has been a blessing. Often, I’m surprised by the timeliness and applicability of the sections for contemporary theological conversations. As Qohelet likes to say, “There’s nothing new under the sun.” This morning I came across this wonderful passage:

Antinomianism has never had any hold in the churches of the Reformation. There is no logical connection between the neglect of moral duties, and the system which teaches that Christ is a Saviour as well from the power as from the penalty of sin; that faith is the act by which the soul receives and rests on Him for sanctification as well as for justification; and that such is the nature of the union with Christ by faith and indwelling of the Spirit, that no one is, or can be partaker of the benefit of his death, who is not also partaker of the power of his life; which holds to the divine authority of the Scripture which declares that without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14); and which, in the language of the great advocate of salvation by grace, warns all who call themselves Christians: “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Cor. 6:9, 10.) It is not the system which regards sin as so great an evil that it requires the blood of the Son of God for its expiation, and the law as so immutable that it requires the perfect righteousness of Christ for the sinner’s justification, which leads to loose views of moral obligation; these are reached by the system which teaches that the demands of the law have been lowered, that they can be more than met by the imperfect obedience of fallen men, and that sin can be pardoned by priestly intervention. This is what logic and history alike teach. (Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, 3:241)

How can the law, which brings death also be described as the way of life? How can the same letter be the path of life when it once condemned us? The difference hinges on pneumatology. The Holy Spirit applies the life, death, and resurrection to his people. While justification is a critical aspect of the ordo salutis, we receive even more than the imputed righteousness of Christ by grace alone through faith alone through the gospel. That same saving faith unites us to Christ, who has become for us “wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30). When the Spirit works in and through his people (Phil 2:12–13), they obey God’s law out of love rather than servile fear or a desire to merit salvation. The life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45) makes it our delight (Ps 1:1–2).

]]> http://reformedforum.org/meditative-thoughts-good-works/feed/ 5 Imitating God in Christ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc306/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc306/#respond Fri, 08 Nov 2013 05:00:18 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?post_type=podcast&p=3073 Imitating […]]]> Dr. Jason B. Hood speaks about the imitation of Christ, based on the biblical theological study found in his book, Imitating God in Christ: Recapturing a Biblical Pattern. The teaching of imitation is sometimes clouded by a “gospel-centered” focus on justification that loses sight of the importance of sanctification in salvation. Dr. Hood clears away these misconceptions to show how the indicative of Christ’s person and work is consistent with the imperative of imitation of Christ. The episode also deals with the concept of the image of God, the imitation of the saints, and the biblical theological basis of imitation from Old Testament to New. Dr. Hood will soon be pastor of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church in Moshi, Tanzania, as well as a professor at Munguishi Bible College, part of the Anglican Diocese of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Reformed Theological Seminary in Washington, DC and taught biblical theology of mission with the Memphis Fellows Initiative. Imitating God in Christ is published by IVP Academic.

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc306/feed/ 0 Dr Jason B Hood speaks about the imitation of Christ based on the biblical theological study found in his book Imitating God in Christ Recapturing a Biblical Pattern The teaching ...ChristianLiving,Sanctification,Soteriology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumfalseno John Newton on Grace in Sanctification http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc301/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc301/#comments Fri, 04 Oct 2013 05:00:05 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?post_type=podcast&p=3013 Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in […]]]> Barbara Duguid speaks about John Newton’s writings on the Christian life based on her book Extravagant Grace: God’s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness. She appropriates John Newton’s wisdom to comfort and encourage Christians who feel guilt and failure in their fight against sin. Barbara Duguid is a counselor and member of Christ Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Grove City, Pennsylvania. She holds an advanced certificate in biblical counseling from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Melissa Kruger is the author of The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World published by Christian Focus (Christ the Center 276). She is on staff in women’s ministry at Uptown Church (PCA) in Charlotte, NC, a mom to three kids and the wife of Dr. Michael Kruger, President and Professor of NT at Reformed Theological Seminary Charlotte. Nancy Guthrie is the author of The Son of David, The Promised One, and The Wisdom of God, on the topic of seeing Christ in the Old Testament. Nancy is a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and she speaks at conferences worldwide.

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc301/feed/ 10 Barbara Duguid speaks about John Newton s writings on the Christian life based on her book Extravagant Grace God s Glory Displayed in Our Weakness She appropriates John Newton s ...ChristianLiving,SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno Sanctification http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc211/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc211/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:20 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?p=1832 Rick Phillips and Kevin DeYoung join a panel to address the doctrine of sanctification. This is an important conversation that addresses the work of the Holy Spirit in applying the death and resurrection of Christ to believers. Join us for a fascinating conversation on this aspect of soteriology. Rev. Phillips is Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC and the author of several books including Jesus the Evangelist, What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?, and the Hebrews and Zechariah Reformed Expository commentaries. Rev. DeYoung is Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan and the author of several books including Don’t Call it a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day and What is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission with Greg Gilbert.

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc211/feed/ 20 Rick Phillips and Kevin DeYoung join a panel to address the doctrine of sanctification This is an important conversation that addresses the work of the Holy Spirit in applying the ...Sanctification,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumfalseno Jesus + Nothing = Everything http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr49/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr49/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:52 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?p=1852 Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Rev. Tchividjian is pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and blogs at the […]]]> Mark Jones and Jared Oliphint speak about Tullian Tchividjian’s Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Rev. Tchividjian is pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and blogs at the Gospel Coalition. Dr. Jones published a review of the book at MeetThePuritans.com. Jared Oliphint’s review will appear soon at Reformation21.

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rmr49/feed/ 28 Mark Jones and Jared Oliphint speak about Tullian Tchividjian s Jesus Nothing Everything Rev Tchividjian is pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale and blogs at the Gospel ...Sanctification,Soteriology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumfalseno Union with Christ and Sanctification http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rfs13/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rfs13/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:45:13 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?p=1800 Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on sanctification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This […]]]> Dr. Lane G. Tipton, the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, teaches on sanctification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ: Saving Union with Christ. This series of addresses comes from the Fall Seminar on Reformed Theology, held on November 12 and 13th 2011 at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Ringoes, NJ. This is the fourth installment of the series. The entire series is as follows:

  1. A Biblical Overview: Dr Richard Gaffin
  2. Regeneration: Dr Lane Tipton
  3. The Good Work Begun: Dr Richard Gaffin
  4. Sanctification: Dr Lane Tipton
  5. Questions and Answers
  6. The Gateway into Fellowship with the Triune God: Rev. Jeff Waddington (Sunday School)
  7. The Gospel: Dr Lane Tipton (Sunday morning service)
  8. Glorification: Rev. James Cassidy (Sunday evening service; sermon re-recorded in March 2021)

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/rfs13/feed/ 9 Dr Lane G Tipton the Charles Krahe Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary teaches on sanctification in this special presentation from Alive with Christ Saving Union ...AlivewithChrist:SavingUnionwithChrist,SanctificationReformed Forumfalseno Sanctification and the Gospel http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc57/ http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc57/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:00:56 +0000 http://reformedforum.wpengine.com/?p=586 Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel […]]]> Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, joined the Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel and the relation of the benefits of redemption to union with Christ. The significance of the contribution of John Calvin was delved into, especially his handling of the duplex gratia dei or two-fold blessing of justification and sanctification, and how this relates to our union with the risen Lord. Of special interest was the conversation about how justification and sanctification relate to each other within union. A discussion was also had regarding the distinction between definitive and progressive sanctification and the biblical basis for that distinction. The panel also discussed the relation of the historia salutis (the history of redemption or the accomplishment of redemption) to the ordo salutis (the order of salvation or its application). Dr. Gaffin is the author of numerous articles and books, including Resurrection and Redemption, Calvin and the Sabbath, Perspectives on Pentecost, By Faith, Not By Sight and he has edited a collection of the shorter writings of Geerhardus Vos, Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation. In May of 2008 Dr. Gaffin entered into honored retirement and was the recipient of a festschrift entitled Resurrection and Eschatology co-edited by Lane G. Tipton and Jeffrey C. Waddington.
Archive.org

Panel

  • Richard B. Gaffin, Jr.
  • Jeff Waddington
  • James Dolezal
  • Jim Cassidy
  • Camden Bucey

Bibliography

Bogue, Carl W. Jonathan Edwards and the Covenant of Grace . Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2009.

Gaffin, Richard. By Faith Not By Sight . Paternoster, 2006.

Gaffin, Richard B., Jr. Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul’s Soteriology . 2nd ed. P & R Publishing, 1987.

Larson, Mark J. Calvin’s Doctrine of the State: A Reformed Doctrine and Its American Trajectory, the Revolutionary War, and the Founding of the Republic . Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2009.

Payne, Jon D. In The Splendor Of Holiness: Rediscovering the Beauty of Reformed Worship for the 21st Century . First. Tolle Lege Press, 2008

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]]> http://reformedforum.org/podcasts/ctc57/feed/ 15 Dr Richard B Gaffin Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology Emeritus at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia joined the Christ the Center panel to discuss the nature of the gospel ...BiblicalTheology,Sanctification,Soteriology,SystematicTheologyReformed Forumfalseno