Put on the New Man: Embodied Sanctification in Ephesians 4:22-24

Abstract

Academically and popularly, many in the history of the church have tended toward views of human constitution that locate spiritual growth in the realm of the immaterial. In contrast, I argue that progressive sanctification requires embodied action. First, I propose holistic dualism as the biblical model for understanding human constitution. In this model, humans are persons consisting of two aspects, the material and the immaterial. These two aspects unnaturally separate at death, though they properly reunite at the resurrection. Therefore, human life is embodied life. Second, I trace the “new man” theme through the book of Ephesians, showing that the book of Ephesians presents the Christian life as essentially embodied. Finally, I show that Ephesians 4:22– 24 requires that Christians exhibit bodily action in order that they may undergo progressive sanctification. I end by clarifying how my thesis may be misunderstood and by presenting possible applications.