Theological development and spiritual distraction

Richard Gaffin on Gerhardus Vos and Herman Ridderbos:

Both men have, independently, com to the same basic conclusion. Further, this conclusion represents a marked shift so far as the traditional Reformed consensus is concerned. the center to Paul's teaching is not found in the doctrine of justification by faith or any other aspect of the ordo salutis [by which he means 'the application of redemption in the life history of the individual sinner']. Rather, his primary interest is seen to be in the historia salutis as that history has reached its eschatological realization in the death and especially the resurrection of Christ.

(p. 13, Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul's Soteriology; P & R Publishing)

I think this quote sums up the major development in my theology over the past two years. It has been great to realise how God's plan for redemption is less man-centred, but more fulfilling in its audacious enormity. YHWH is no god of privatised religion, and he makes big claims.

On a more critical note, I think Gaffin overestimates the uniqueness of his heros (if not their brilliance).

Anyhow...Good night folks! I'm off to follow Dave Bish's (implicit) suggestion and spend some time in the bible. In the day-to-day routine of work I must admit I am struggling to remember Carson's words that I read a long time back:

People do not drift toward holiness. Apart from grace-driven effort, people do not gravitate toward godliness, prayer, obedience to Scripture, faith, and delight in the Lord.