Sanctification as Set Apart and Growing in Christ – Marny Köstenberger

Marny Köstenberger, Sanctification as Set Apart and Growing in Christ (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2023), 142 pp.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” Peter’s charge to the people of God in 1 Peter 1 reverberates throughout the pages of Scripture, both the Old Testament as well as the New.

Marny Köstenberger’s book, Sanctification As Set Apart and Growing in Christ helps solidify this important biblical teaching. Her work is the latest installment in Crossway’s series, The Short Studies in Biblical Theology. Students of Scripture are encouraged to trace critical themes in the biblical metanarrative.

Köstenberger begins with creation and links the doctrine of sanctification with the biblical covenants. She argues that “the story of God’s relationship with humanity is bound up with presence: God created humans to live in his presence; they transgressed the Creator’s command and consequently were expelled from his presence. God restored Israel and the people of God utilizing the biblical covenants which are summed up and consummated in the New Covenant, where the law of God is written on the hearts of his people and his presence is manifest through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Various themes are presented with the intention of tying the doctrine of sanctification so followers of Christ may understand and be edified. The themes of union with Christ and suffering are two themes that stand out in particular.

The author is quick to point out the practical nature of sanctification. In the final analysis, she writes, “We’ve become part of God’s mission to bring his name and saving message to the ends of the earth as we witness boldly to the one who lives inside us.” May each reader be strengthened by the indwelling Spirit and may his work of grace continue unhindered in the lives of his people!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.