8
possibility based upon the individual believer's willingness to make his crucial post-
conversion decision.
Chaferian ("Dispensational") Sanctification
We have chosen to use Charles Ryrie's suggested title for this model of
sanctification,
46
and we have already stated above that this is the model often referred to
as "dispensational" sanctification. Some have referred to this viewpoint as the "Dallas
view" since the vast majority of its adherents are graduates of Dallas Theological
Seminary and follow its founder's perspective on sanctification.
47
Maintaining the Keswick perspective on the two natures within the Christian,
Chaferians teach that victory over the sinful nature is accomplished by yieldedness to the
Spirit in an act of dedication or surrender.
48
As with the preceding models, Chaferians
separate sanctification and justification. They propose that an act of dedication on the part
of the believer is necessary in order to initiate the process of sanctification.
Reformed Sanctification
Reformed theology emphasizes the inevitable occurrence of obedience
(sanctification) in the life of the justified.
49
God is seen as the primary impetus behind the
believers'growth in obedience as He prompts them to obey.
50
Believers, in turn, are
responsible to obey the commands of God, but they will do so because of the sanctifying
work of God in the believer's heart.
51
Before proceeding to the concluding paragraph under this model of sanctification,
we would like to take note of several dispensationalists who are advocates of the
46
Ryrie, "Contrasting Views," 191.
47
Chafer, He that is Spiritual. A representative list of Dallas Seminary alumni who have written
on this subject is necessary here: Walvoord, "Augustinian-Dispensational Perspective," and idem, The Holy
Spirit, 3d ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958); Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Balancing the
Christian Life; J. Dwight Pentecost, Designed to be Like Him: Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, Maturity
(Chicago: Moody Press, 1966); Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free! A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House; Dallas, Redención Viva, 1989); Robert Wilkin,
"Sanctification Part 4: Man's Role in Present Sanctification (with an Appendix Containing Questions and
Answers)," Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society 7 (Autumn 1994): 3-23; and Joseph C. Dillow, The
Reign of the Servant Kings: A Study of Eternal Security and the Final Significance of Man (Haysville, NS:
Schoettle Publishing Co., 1992).
48
Chafer, He that is Spiritual, 22; Ryrie, Balancing, 186-91; Pentecost, 127-30.
49
This is basically the doctrine of perseverance and it is affirmed by many theologians including
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 3.3.1; A. A. Hodge, Outlines of Theology, rev. ed. (n.p.:
Robert Carter and Brothers, 1878; reprint, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
1928), 522; and B. B. Warfield, Perfectionism, ed. Samuel G. Craig (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House,
1958), 356
50
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, vol. 3 (reprint, Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, 1981-89), 215-16, points to 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 13:20,21 and Titus 2:14 as evidence
of this point. Also see Cary N. Weisiger III, "The Reformed Doctrine of Sanctification," CT (1 September
1967): Supplement, 23.
51
Warfield, review of He that is Spiritual, 327, writes: "He who believes in Jesus Christ is
under grace, and his whole course, in its process and its issue alike, is determined by grace, and therefore,
having been predestined to be conformed to the image of God's Son, he is surely being conformed to that
image. . . . You may find Christians at every stage of this process, for it is a process through which all must
pass; but you will find none who will not in God's own good time and way pass through every stage of it."