One hundred thirty years later, we are still talking about Charles Spurgeon. We should be. A man devoted to Calvinistic theology, Christo-centric preaching, competent public engagement, and robust pastoral training is a good model for us all.

How is it that sanctification progresses? What are the means God uses to bring about the goal of spiritual maturity and holiness? Several answers could be offered to these questions. However, the means of progressive sanctification and spiritual maturity will be limited here to three categories: the Holy Spirit, the Word, and the church.

Spiritual maturity affects every area of the Christian life. It is not merely an intellectual or academic pursuit, nor is it simply an emotional, ethereal experience. It is not about legalistically doing better, doing more, and achieving the status of maturity on one’s own efforts. Rather, spiritual maturity occurs in whole-personed progressive sanctification toward holiness.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

Sanctification must be progressing. All believers should be maturing spiritually. If we’re all adolescents now, we shouldn’t be.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

Five resources to help navigate technology and social media according to the Christian worldview.

I'm not arguing that Christianity Today shouldn't have done the Cosper podcast. There are certainly lessons to learn. But in gleaning those lessons, we mustn't forget the people who still serve that local church.

Sanctification must be progressing. All believers should be maturing spiritually. If we’re all adolescents now, we shouldn’t be.

Jesus knew how to address Martha’s questions and comfort Mary’s sorrow. Pastor-theologians must follow his example.

It is sad to think about Lloyd-Jones and Packer dissolving their friendship, and I believe our children will consider it equally sad that we froze people out of our circle over secondary issues.