Sanctification Survey

1. Which of the following best describes your denominational affiliation (choose ALL that apply):

Which of the following best describes your denominational affiliation (choose ALL that apply): Baptist

Catholic

Episcopal

Evangelical

Lutheran

Methodist

Non-Denominational

Other

Presbyterian

Reformed

2. I have been following Christ for...

I have been following Christ for... 1 month to 1 year

1 year to 5 years

6 years to 10 years

11 years to 20 years

More than 20 years

3. The following best reflects what I believe about rewards in heaven.

The following best reflects what I believe about rewards in heaven. There are rewards in heaven that are granted according to my faithfulness and obedience in this life

All who affirm Christ through faith receive the same inheritance, which is heaven itself. No unique rewards based on merit.

I believe there are biblical references to this, but I have not read much about it, and haven't heard much (if any) teaching on it

There may or may not be unique rewards, but it could be self-defeating to aspire to apprehend them

4. I affirm the doctrine of 'justification by faith alone,' which means that God counts me righteous only because of faith, not by my obedience to His laws.

I affirm the doctrine of 'justification by faith alone,' which means that God counts me righteous only because of faith, not by my obedience to His laws. Yes

Not sure

5. Choose ALL of the following that apply:

Choose ALL of the following that apply: Sanctify = Purify = Make Holy: Increases over the course of the Christian life

Through good works my faith is exercised and strengthened

Sanctify = Purify = Make Holy: Is not a process of growth, as scripture teaches that I 'have been sanctified'

None of the above

6. I believe scripture teaches that 'sanctification' is a process whereby, over time and with the help of the Spirit, I progressively become more able to obey God's holy laws (even from the heart, as per Matthew 5.21-30 in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount) and more able to resist sin.

I believe scripture teaches that 'sanctification' is a process whereby, over time and with the help of the Spirit, I progressively become more able to obey God's holy laws (even from the heart, as per Matthew 5.21-30 in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount) and more able to resist sin. No, as some scriptures refer to believers as those who have been sanctified

Yes

Yes, and I also believe that it is a finished process.

Yes, and I also believe that it is a finished process, though--if pressed--I may not have an easy time understanding the conceptual and the practical implications of being BOTH 'pure' and 'becoming purified'

Yes, but I do not see consistent growth in my life. In fact, at times I return to the same sins that I thought had been conquered, thereby making progress seem elusive

7. Paul's description of the battle between his flesh and the spirit ("what I do is not the good that I want to do..." Romans 7) is a reference to his pre-conversion experince:

Paul's description of the battle between his flesh and the spirit ("what I do is not the good that I want to do..." Romans 7) is a reference to his pre-conversion experince: Yes, because believers have died to sin and therefor "how can [we] live in it any longer." (Romans 6.2)

Yes, I believe so, even though my experience mirrors what he describes

Yes

No, as there does not seem to be any context in or near this passage to suggest this

8. The following are what I believe to be the reason(s) to live faithfully in this life (select ALL that apply):

The following are what I believe to be the reason(s) to live faithfully in this life (select ALL that apply): Despite all that the scripture teaches about grace, I will still be held accountable for obedience to, for instance, his command to 'be holy'

In order to attempt to please God, that hopefully he might say "Well done!"

In order to obey what God has required

Out of gratitude for his mercy and goodness

To secure our rewards in heaven

9. With respect to our 'sure and certain hope' in Christ, in my experience...

With respect to our 'sure and certain hope' in Christ, in my experience... I am comforted by a 'peaceful conscience' (Hebrews 10.22 links this to our "full assurance") NOTE: By this I mean that I do not think about eternal consequences for my sin because I truly do trust that the penalty has been paid in full.

I still find it difficult for my conscience to rest in his promises in this regard, and live as if Christ's work was truly finished on the cross

It is not easy to characterize what my conscience is like

10. In my own experience, I have a sense that I am increasingly becoming more strengthened to obey God's holy laws (even in my heart, as per Matthew 5.21-30 in Jesus's Sermon on the Mount) and more able to resist sin--more now than 3, 5, and 10 years ago.

In my own experience, I have a sense that I am increasingly becoming more strengthened to obey God's holy laws (even in my heart, as per Matthew 5.21-30 in Jesus's Sermon on the Mount) and more able to resist sin--more now than 3, 5, and 10 years ago. Yes

Yes, mostly true

No, and I suspect that my 'progress' is not increasing moral and spiritual goodness, but rather an increasing understanding of the reality of sin and the need for grace

11. I can know even now that, in the end when God looks at me he will see Christ (who obeyed perfectly, and with a perfectly pure heart), that He will surely/certainly say to me: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

I can know even now that, in the end when God looks at me he will see Christ (who obeyed perfectly, and with a perfectly pure heart), that He will surely/certainly say to me: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Never thought of it this way, but find it difficult to believe

No, there are far too many verses that urge believers to live faithfully for this to be the case

Yes

Yes and what a wonderful blessing

12. If you would like to comment further regarding your personal experience of integrating the gospel of grace with a faithful life, and a restful conscience with full assurance, please do so briefly in the space below.

If you would like to comment further regarding your personal experience of integrating the gospel of grace with a faithful life, and a restful conscience with full assurance, please do so briefly in the space below.

13. This study will examine real data regarding the experience of the Christian life. Specifically, it will look for the relationship between doctrinal beliefs (either casually assimilated or rigorously developed) and the conscience. The effort at this stage is to gather as much data as possible, and from a broad range of denominational backgrounds. Might you be willing to forward the email link to a group of others?

This study will examine real data regarding the experience of the Christian life. Specifically, it will look for the relationship between doctrinal beliefs (either casually assimilated or rigorously developed) and the conscience. The effort at this stage is to gather as much data as possible, and from a broad range of denominational backgrounds. Might you be willing to forward the email link to a group of others? You may periodically check the following site for information about the study: http://www.sanctificationsurvey.blogspot.com/ (NOTE: If you are not cutting and pasting this address, you will need the "http://" - not merely "www...")

Thus far we have nearly 500 responses, with a goal of 2,000.

Thank you for considering sending this along to others

Please do not feel compelled to select any of these answers

Those first 11 questions got me on such a roll, I find it hard to imagine not clicking one of the little circles for this one--even if it is utterly perfunctory!

For your FREE copy of the Author's Preface email: dale_westervelt@yahoo.com

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