Preface #
No theme as important to Christian life as scriptural holiness should long go unexamined or can long go unchallenged. Our purpose in these pages is to consider some of the current issues relating to this aspect of the faith “once delivered unto the saints."
As here used, an issue is a point of challenge, of debate or contest. One cannot preach or teach any doctrine successfully without being conscious of the issues raised in the minds of those with whom he labors. Holiness literature is full of strong defense of this truth against issues of the past. While error has a sort of perennial quality about it—recurring in cycles generation after generation—it is always important to relate one’s central doctrine to whatever turn the issues of the day may take.
Our particular concern here is with the issues presented to us in the context of modern evangelical Christianity. That is, we do not propose to discuss the Wesleyan view of full salvation against the background of what is commonly called liberalism, or against any view of the Christian faith that discounts the historic belief in the full inspiration and final authority of the Scriptures. I shall assume the essential truth and value of the traditional evangelical position that the Bible is the prime Source of all doctrinal truth and practical duty, and that the Book means just what it says when interpreted, as it always must be, in context.
The demand for cooperation among evangelical Christians in a “post-Christian” era points to the need for clear definition of issues. Christian unity cannot be gained by “levelling down” to the lowest common denominator of faith.
This means an obligation to relate what is distinctive in “holiness” faith to the issues presented by the larger associations that we cannot and should not try to avoid. We must be ready always to give strong reasons for the special facet of the hope we cherish.
That the present writer should be able to isolate and discuss all the issues is, of course, to expect too much in too brief a space. That he shall even name the most important issues must depend upon the extent to which his experience and contacts in evangelical circles are typical. He can hope to escape the criticism that this treatment is incomplete and unrepresentative only by pointing out that this purports to be a discussion of only some contemporary issues. There are others now; there will be more later. These are but representative of those which seem to come closest to the heart of the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification.
One further point is important. Sharp issue will be taken here with some popular religious views. In no case should objections to a system of theology be taken as an attack on the Christian experience or character of those who hold that theology. A man’s character may be much better than his creed—just as, conversely, it may not be as good. Some of the views considered here are held by Christian brothers and sisters in whose personal integrity and effectiveness of Christian service the writer has utmost confidence. We are often much closer in heart and experience than we are in the interpretation of experience.
This is not to say that one creed is as good as another, and that it really doesn’t make any difference what one believes as long as he lives right. The usual outcome of wrong teachings is a misdirected life.
We propose to consider five major issues related to Christian holiness:
- Is holiness imputed or imparted? Is the holiness of the saints a legal reckoning in the mind of God, or is it an aspect of personal moral character? We deal with this issue under the theme “Sanctification and Cleansing.”
- Is holiness progressive or instantaneous? Is it the ever-increasing counteraction of the carnal nature, or the momentary crucifixion of sin within? This is the subject of the second chapter, “Process and Crisis in Sanctification."
- What is the nature of actual sin in human life? Is it deviation from an objective and perfect standard of righteousness, or willful transgression of a recognized law of God? The subject here is “Christian Perfection and Sin.”
- What is the evidence or sign of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit? Is there an outward manifestation, a gift of the Spirit, which certifies the reality of the baptism with the Spirit? This matter is discussed under “Sanctification and Signs.”
- What is the basis of Christian security? Is it an initial momentary act of faith, forever assuring the soul of final salvation; or is it entrance into “this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2)? Here our theme is “Sanctification and Security.”