The fifth and sixth papers at what is proving to be a very helpful conference have been on union with Christ and justification (by David Mackay from Belfast on Thursday afternoon, chaired by Mark Thomas) and union with Christ and sanctification (by Paul Wells now retired from Aix-en-Provence on Friday morning, chaired by Colin Jones). We followed the usual format, each man presenting his paper briefly before discussion in groups and a final half hour plenary session. Dr Wells' paper was very long but not difficult to read. Paul was in our discussion group (each speaker was assigned to one group) and that may have inhibited discussion slightly, especially if we were less familiar with this last paper than with previous ones. Paul's basic point was about the need to distinguish holiness, righteousness and sanctification, which was helpful. Again, the papers were very full and so we cannot give details without going on at length.
The conference was rounded off with a useful panel discussion chaired by Stephen Clark with all the speakers present except John Fesko who had to catch his plane. In this we discussed the inevitable question of how to preach union with Christ among other matters. Again, many helpful things were said.
So all in all a very good conference. It was a great blessing to be present.
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