Podcast Summary: Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung

Episode: What Is Sanctification?
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Kevin DeYoung (Crossway)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kevin DeYoung explores the doctrine of sanctification, its definition, relationship to other doctrines like justification, the historical and theological misunderstandings surrounding it, and the biblical imperatives for the Christian's active role in their growth in holiness. DeYoung emphasizes the difference between justification and sanctification, counters passive views of Christian growth, and explains the necessity of effort, all while rooting his discussion in scripture and historical theology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definitions and Distinctions

• Sanctification's Meaning:
  • In biblical language, "sanctified" often describes the believer's positional holiness, but in systematic theology, it's more about progressive holiness—growth over time in Christlike living.

    “We're talking about the believer's progressive holiness, growth in holiness.” (02:00)

• Duplex Gratia:
  • Cites John Calvin’s "double grace": both justification and sanctification belong to believers through union with Christ.
• Active and Passive Elements:
  • Sanctification is a work by God (passive) and by us (active), a concept supported by historical theologians like Turretin.

    “In sanctification God is doing the work in us, and at the same time we are also working—must underline that, because this is unlike justification.” (03:10)

2. Five Major Differences: Justification vs. Sanctification

Citing Turretin, DeYoung lays out contrasts:

• Object:
  • Justification—concerned with guilt; Sanctification—with pollution.
• Form:
  • Justification—a judicial/forensic act (sins forgiven, Christ’s righteousness imputed).
  • Sanctification—a moral act (righteousness infused, personal renewal over time).
• Subject:
  • Justification—objective status; Sanctification—subjective renewal.
• Degree:
  • Justification—complete and once-for-all; Sanctification—progressive and grows by degrees.
• Order:
  • Sanctification only for those already justified.

    “Justification is given in this life fully, without any possible increase. You cannot be more justified, less justified. Sanctification, however, is begun, but is only made perfect in the next.” (06:19)
    “Marriage is the state you're in. … But once married, it does admit to degrees in your love for one another…” (07:22)

3. Sanctification: Is it by Faith Alone?

• Highlights that although sanctification is in one sense “by faith,” the Reformation phrase "by faith alone" is misleading here.
  • Justification: “the instrument through which we receive righteousness.”
  • Sanctification: “the root and principle out of which it grows.”

    “Sanctification explicitly includes these co-operations, so it makes the description [‘by faith alone’] misleading at best and inaccurate at worst.” (10:31)

4. Effort, Exertion & Misunderstandings

• Challenges theological trends that downplay or eliminate Christian effort in sanctification.
  • Opposes “let go and let God” or “just get used to your justification” mentalities.

    “There have been controversies … should not talk about any effort or you cannot become any more sanctified. We shouldn’t talk about grace or godliness as something we can grow into… No, sanctification is just getting used to our justification…” (11:39)

• Historical critique:
  • J.C. Ryle wrote against “Higher Life” or Keswick theology, which taught sanctification as a “higher” experience achieved mainly by surrender, not striving.
    • Cites J.I. Packer’s personal and theological resistance to this view.

  • “Sanctification, we might say, meant trusting and not trying.” (16:10) “Let go and let God. Yeah, you can imagine what happens there. If you let go, you fall to your doom.” (16:47)

• The New Testament calls to effort:
  • Romans 8:13: "by the Spirit we must put to death the deeds of the flesh"
  • Ephesians 4/6, Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:12, Luke 13:24, 2 Peter 1:5: All urge striving, “make every effort,” “fight the good fight,” “strive to enter the narrow gate.”

5. Gospel Dynamics: Not Justification by Works, but Obedience Powered by the Gospel

• Emphasizes: God’s grace in justification is not a license for passivity; gospel freedom leads to obedience and effort in sanctification.

  “What the Gospel frees us from is self-justification. And then it frees us for obedience.” (23:15)

• Biblical story analogy:
  • Israelites were delivered by grace but still had to fight to enter the promised land—a pattern for Christian life.
• Old terms:
  • Mortification (putting to death sin) & Vivification (making alive godliness).

    “When it comes to growth in godliness, trusting does not put an end to trying.” (26:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Effort in Sanctification:

  “The child of God has two great marks about him. He is known for his inner warfare and his inner peace.” — J.C. Ryle, cited by Kevin DeYoung (21:40)

• On ‘By Faith Alone’ Language:

  “Sanctification is a gift and that we grow by believing in the promises of God. But that phrase ‘by faith alone’ is not helpful. Here’s why: it is apt to be confusing for sanctification, which does require effort…” (09:11)

• On Biblical Commands:

  “Second Peter 1:5 says, make every effort, make every effort to add to your Faith…” (19:54)

• On the Role of Gospel:

  “We have rest in the gospel, but we do not rest in the battle against the flesh and against the devil.” (21:00)

• On Striving in the Christian Life:

  “As Gospel Christians, we are not afraid of striving, fighting, working. Those are good biblical words.” (23:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:00 – Definition of sanctification; distinction between progressive and positional holiness
• 03:10 – Passive and active elements of sanctification
• 04:12 – Five ways justification and sanctification differ
• 09:11 – Controversy: Is sanctification “by faith alone”?
• 11:39 – Critique of anti-effort sanctification trends
• 15:21 – Higher Life/Keswick theology explained
• 19:20 – Biblical evidence for exertion in sanctification
• 21:00 – Ryle on the marks of a child of God
• 23:06 – Gospel-centered striving; what gospel frees us for
• 26:03 – Final thoughts: trust doesn’t replace effort

Conclusion

Kevin DeYoung’s episode offers a thorough, pastorally-wise, and theologically rich overview of sanctification—dispelling myths, tracing historic debates, and grounding the active pursuit of holiness in the grace of the gospel. Listeners are equipped to better understand both God’s work and their responsibility in the Christian life.