Cruciform Variata
If a person thinks they can attain righteousness, life, and salvation by establishing in themselves a faith that is resolute, they will only return again to (a trusting dependence on) the impassioned working of their own heart and mind. And so while it is true that we stress mortification of all sin, Christianity teaches that it is precisely the inability to accomplish such casting off of lingering passions that characterizes fallen, worldly existence. For us, the moment when all calculation and effort are seen to be futile is itself the point in which the Gospel of Christ is realized in the disciple as saving faith, as true entrusting. Thus, we assert a concept of faith, not as an attitude of constancy or sincerity that the disciple assumes or generates toward Christ, but as the Spirit’s gracious inworking and unfolding of Christ's Gospel Word and power in the disciple as eternal Life. In this we emphasize the givenness of living faith, centering Christ’s Gospel on His directing o