New Persuasive Words

In this episode we consider the difference between the traditional Augustinian conception of the spiritual life and Martin Luther's conception of it. We were inspired by a post on the Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard's blog: http://www.pastormattrichard.com/2015/08/augustinian-influenced-sanctification.html?m=1. In the post he quotes from a book written by Steven Hein. See below for the full quotations. Excerpt from: Steven A. Hein, The Christian Life: Cross or Glory (Irvine, CA: NRP Books, 2015), 64, 74-82. Much of western Christian thought from post-Apostolic times to Luther was absorbed by a quest for personal holiness. This was certainly true for St. Augustine [354-430 AD]. Even though Augustine championed salvation by grace apart from works, he understood the grace of God primarily as a divine power that progressively transforms the sinner. In other words, God requires a holy and righteous life, and by grace He continually produces what He demands. He infuses divine grace into the baptized Christian which gr