The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ [Paperback]

Walter Marshall (Author), Bruce H. McRae (Editor)

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (December 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597520543
• ISBN-13: 978-1597520546
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Sanctification ever!, February 23, 2008

By 

T. Hickling (Warrenton, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ (Paperback)

This is by far the best book on the doctrine of Sanctification in print. It was originally written in the 17th century, but has been put into modern english with this edition. This book will help you better understand the Gospel and its power not only for our Justification, but our Sanctification as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for anyone desiring insight into faith and spiritual growth, August 4, 2009

By 

Elisha Cummings (Dallas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ (Paperback)

Walter Marshall is so effective in disecting Christianity and what it truly means to walk in Christ and to live by faith. For anyone curious, looking for understanding and insight, this is a hidden treasure. Consider yourself blessed for running into a book that is so insightful.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than a translation. Great Book, however, buy the original, October 13, 2011

By 

Staples (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ (Paperback)

I purchased this book and have enjoyed it very much. Before I launch into my criticism let me say that I gave it five stars because I don't want to taint the amazing value this book brings to our understanding of sanctification. I would add that if Marshall's version was not available then I would gladly give this version five stars and only sing its' praises.

What I am noticing as I work my way through the original is that Marshall is clearer. Let me give one example. At the end of chapter 4, Marshall is explaining the difference of passive and active faith. He uses the faith given to children as one illustration.

Marshall's language:
"And, no doubt, Christ is thus united to many infants, who have the spirit of faith and yet cannot act on that faith, because they have not come to the use of their understanding; but those of riper years, that are joined passively to Christ by the spirit of faith, will also join themselves with Him actively, by the act of faith, and, until they act this faith, they cannot know or enjoy their union with Christ, and the comfort of it, or make use of it, in acting any other duties of holiness acceptably in this life."

McRae's version:
"I have no doubt that many infants come into union with Christ. Why? Because God gives them the Spirit of faith. These infants cannot yet act in faith like adults do, because they are not yet able to use their understanding to full capacity. However, because of the work of Christ in their hearts, they can be united to him. As they get older, those who have been passively joined to Christ by the Spirit of faith will begin to join themselves to him actively by faith. When they begin to act in faith in this way, they will know and enjoy their union with Christ. They will really come to understand how comforting saving faith is! They will also begin to live by faith more and more, and thus they will begin more and more to live holy lives."

In this example, Marshall gives one clause to infants. He then transitions to adults and adds the word "until" to reveal that it is as we act the faith Christ gives us we cannot enjoy our union with Christ. In McRae's version he inserts the word "why?" and then seems more inclined to defend this statement. He finishes out the paragraph and chapter referring to infants by using the pronoun "they". Thus, McRae's version comes off like he is enlightening us how Christ works in infants. In Marshall's version it seems that he is showing why we can have faith and yet not see fruit.

Though McRae's version is a fine book, it is not a true updated version but rather an interpretation put into his own language. Though Marshall needed an editor I don't think he needed someone to re interpret his thoughts. In addition, McRae's version is more expensive than Marshall's. You can get Marshall's hard cover addition for $18.97 compared to McRae's for $25.31. However, you can get Marshall's on Kindle for 99 cents!