Christian perfection explained

Within many denominations of Christianity, Christian perfection is the theological concept of the process or the event of achieving spiritual maturity or perfection. The ultimate goal of this process is union with God characterized by pure love of God and other people as well as personal holiness or sanctification. Other terms used for this or similar concepts include entire sanctification, holiness, perfect love, the baptism with the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, the second blessing, and the second work of grace.

Understandings of the doctrine of Christian Perfection vary widely between Christian traditions, though these denominational interpretations find basis in Jesus' words recorded in, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (King James Version) but not, "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christian perfection is to be sought after by all of the just (righteous).[1] Eastern Orthodoxy situates Christian perfection as a goal for all Christians. Traditional Quakerism uses the term perfection and teaches that it is the calling of a believer.

Perfection is a prominent doctrine within the Methodist tradition, in which it is referred to as Christian perfection, entire sanctification, holiness, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the second work of grace.[2] [3] Holiness Pentecostalism inherited the same terminology from Methodism, with exception of the fact that Holiness Pentecostals take the term Baptism with the Holy Spirit to mean a separate third work of grace of empowerment evidenced by speaking in tongues, whereas Methodists use the term Baptism of the Holy Spirit to refer to the second work of grace, entire sanctification.[4]

Other denominations, such as the Lutheran Churches and Reformed Churches, reject the possibility of Christian perfection in this life as contrary to the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, holding that deliverance from sin is begun at conversion but is only completed in glorification.[5] Contrasting to all, Christian Science teaches that as man is made in God's image and likeness, "The great spiritual fact must be brought out that man is, not shall be, perfect and immortal".[6]

Terminology

The terms "perfect" and "perfection" are drawn from the Greek teleios and teleiōsis, respectively. The root word, telos, means an "end" or "goal". In recent translations, teleios and teleiōsis are often rendered as "mature" and "maturity", respectively, so as not to imply an absolute perfection of no defects. But the words "mature" and "maturity" do not capture the full meaning of "end" or "goal". (Even these recent translations use the word "perfect" when not referring to people, as in James 1:17.[7]) In the Christian tradition, teleiōsis has also referred to personal wholeness or health, an unswerving commitment to the goal.

Church Fathers and Medieval Theologians

See also: Divinization (Christian) and Theosis (Eastern Orthodox theology). The roots of the doctrine of Christian perfection lie in the writings of some early Roman Catholic theologians considered Church Fathers: Irenaeus,[8] Clement of Alexandria, Origen and later Macarius of Egypt and Gregory of Nyssa.[9]

Irenaeus wrote about the spiritual transformation that occurred in the believer as the Holy Spirit is to "fit us for God." In antiquity, baptism was commonly referred to as the perfecting of the Christian. This view was expressed by Clement of Alexandria in his work Paedagogus: "Being baptized, we are illuminated; illuminated we become children [lit. 'sons']; being made children, we are made perfect; being made perfect, we are immortal." In another work, the Stromata, Clement discussed three stages in Christian life that led to a more mature perfection. The first stage was marked by the change from heathenism to faith and initiation into the Christian religion. The second stage was marked by a deeper knowledge of God that resulted in continuing repentance from sin and mastery over the passions (apatheia). The third stage led to contemplation and agape love. Origen also proposed his own stages of spiritual ascent beginning with conversion and ending with perfect union with God in love.

Gregory of Nyssa defined human perfection as "constant growth in the good". For Gregory, this was brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit and the self-discipline of the Christian. Macarius of Egypt taught that all sin could be washed away and that a person could be made perfect in the "span of an hour" while stressing the fact that entire sanctification had a two-fold nature, as "an act and a process".[10] Pseudo-Macarius taught that inner sin was rooted out of the pure in heart, but he also warned against the hidden potential for sin in everyone so that no one should ever say, "Because I am in grace, I am thoroughly freed from sin."

By the 4th century, the pursuit of the life of perfection was identified with asceticism, especially monasticism and withdrawal from the world. In the 12th century, Bernard of Clairvaux developed the idea of the ladder of love in his treatise, On the Love of God. This ladder had four rungs or degrees. The first and lowest degree was love of self for self. The second degree was love of God for what he gives. The third degree was love of God for his own sake; it would not be difficult, according to Bernard, for those who truly loved God to keep his commandments. The fourth degree was love of self only for God's sake; it was believed that this degree of perfection in love was only rarely achieved before death.

Thomas Aquinas wrote of three possible levels of perfection.[11] The first, absolute perfection, is where God is loved as much as he can be loved; only God himself can be this perfect. The second level, where love for God fills a person constantly, is possible after death but not in life. The lowest level of perfection was thought to be possible to achieve while living. Theologian Thomas Noble described Aquinas' view of this level of perfection as follows:

According to the standard formulation of the process of Christian perfection, as formulated by Dionysius the Pseudo-Areopagite (late 5th to early 6th century),[12] [13] there are three stages:[14] [15]

Daniel L. Burnett, a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary, writes that:[16]

Roman Catholic teaching

According to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, something is perfect when nothing is lacking in its nature or purpose. The ultimate purpose of Man is union with God, also called divinization. This is accomplished on earth by grace and in heaven by the beatific vision. Perfect union with God while on earth is impossible; therefore, absolute perfection is reserved for heaven.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christian perfection is a spiritual union with God that is attainable in this life. It is not absolute perfection as it exists alongside human misery, rebellious passions, and venial sin. Christian perfection consists of charity or love, since it is this virtue that unites the soul to God. It is not just the possession and preservation of sanctifying grace, since perfection is determined by one's action—the actual practicing of charity or the service of God.

The more charity a person possesses, the greater the perfection of the soul. A person who is perfect in so far as being free from mortal sin obtains salvation and can be called just, holy, and perfect. A person who is perfect insofar as also being free from venial sin and all affections which separate a person from God is in a state of active service and love of God. This is the perfect fulfillment of the law—loving God and loving other people.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Christian perfection is something all should pursue in light of Jesus' injunction in Matthew 5:48.[1] There is also, however, what is called "religious perfection", which is pursued by those committed to living religious life, such as members of religious orders. All Roman Catholics are obliged to attain perfection by observing the commandments, but religious life imposes a more exacting obligation, requiring the religious to also observe the evangelical counsels (also known as "counsels of perfection") of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The evangelical counsels are believed to promote perfection in two ways. They remove the obstacles to perfection—lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. They also increase a person's love of God by freeing the affections from earthly ties.

El Camino de Perfección is a method for making progress in the contemplative life written by Saint Teresa of Ávila for the sisters of her reformed convent of the Discalced Carmelites. St. Teresa was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in 16th century Spain. Christian Perfection is also the title of a book written by theologian Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange. Perfectae Caritatis, the Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life, is one of the shorter documents issued by the Second Vatican Council. Approved by vote of 2,321 to 4 of the bishops assembled at the council, the decree was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on October 28, 1965. As is customary for Church documents, the title is taken from the Latin incipit of the decree: "Of Perfect Charity".

Eastern Orthodox teaching

The Orthodox Church teaches that "perfection is possible for us as human beings as long as we understand it in its proper, dynamic sense" and that humans are "made for Theosis, for the deification ('divinizing') of the totality of our being, body, mind, heart, and soul". This is in accordance with the writings of Saint Paul that encourage Christians to seek after the righteousness of Jesus to be transformed from "one degree of glory to another".[17]

Byzantine Orthodox hagiographer and hymnodist St Symeon the Metaphrast (10th c.) declared:

Anabaptist teaching

Anabaptist Christians (inclusive of the Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite, Bruderhof, Schwarzenau Brethren, River Brethren and Apostolic Christian denominations) believe that "because they have voluntarily chosen to follow Christ as their only authority", they can be successful in their pursuit of Christian perfection.[18] Professor of Religious Studies Ira Chernus explicates Anabaptist doctrine:[18]

In particular, the Apostolic Christian Church is "distinguished by its emphasis on entire sanctification".[19]

Wesleyan teaching

John Wesley

In traditional Calvinism and high church Anglicanism, perfection was viewed as a gift bestowed on righteous persons only after their death (see Glorification). John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was responsible for reviving the idea of spiritual perfection in Protestantism. Wesley's views were elaborated in A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, published in 1777.

According to Noble, Wesley transformed Christian perfection as found in church tradition by interpreting it through a Protestant lens that understood sanctification in light of justification by grace through faith working by love. Wesley believed that regeneration (or the new birth), which occurred simultaneously with justification, was the beginning of sanctification. From his reading of Romans 6 and 1 John 3:9, Wesley concluded that a consequence of the new birth was power over sin. In a sermon titled "Christian Perfection", Wesley preached that "A Christian is so far perfect as not to commit sin."

"The term "sinless perfection" was one which Wesley never used because of its ambiguity."[20] John William Fletcher, an early Methodist divine who John Wesley chose to lead the Methodist movement if he died, clarified the Wesleyan doctrine by stating "that the doctrine of an evangelically sinless perfection is truly Scriptural."[21] [22] And "I say evangelically sinless, because, without the word evangelically, the phrase "sinless perfection" gives an occasion of cavilling to those who seek it."[23] Methodists are able to hold this doctrine based upon Wesley's definition of actual sin:[24]

Nothing is sin, strictly speaking, but a voluntary transgression of a known law of God. Therefore, every voluntary breach of the law of love is sin; and nothing else, if we speak properly. To strain the matter farther is only to make way for Calvinism. There may be ten thousand wandering thoughts, and forgetful intervals, without any breach of love, though not without transgressing the Adamic law. But Calvinists would fain confound these together. Let love fill your heart, and it is enough!
Involuntary transgressions (such as those arising from ignorance, error, and evil tempers), according to Wesley, were not properly called sins. Therefore, regenerated Christians would continue to be guilty of involuntary transgressions and would need to practice regular confession. Furthermore, Christians continued to face temptation, and Wesley acknowledged that it was possible for a regenerated Christian to commit voluntary sin (if, in the words of Noble, the Christian ceased "actively trusting in God through Christ and living in the divine presence"), which would also necessitate confession of sin.

The power over sin received at regeneration was just the lowest stage of Christian perfection according to Wesley. Based on 1 John 2, Wesley proposed three stages in the Christian life: little children, young men, and finally fathers.[25] Young men were defined as those who had experienced victory over temptation and evil thoughts. Fathers were defined as mature Christians who were filled with the love of God.

Wesley believed this last stage of Christian maturity was made possible by what he called entire sanctification (a phrase derived from First Thessalonians 5:23). In Wesley's theology, entire sanctification was a second work of grace received by faith that removed inbred or original sin, and this allowed the Christian to enter a state of perfect love—"Love excluding sin" as stated in the sermon "The Scripture Way of Salvation".[26] Wesley described it as having "purity of intention", "dedicating all the life to God", "loving God with all our heart", and as being the "renewal of the heart in the whole image of God". A life of perfect love meant living in a way that was centered on loving God and one's neighbor. As such, Wesley taught that the manifestation of being entirely sanctified included engagement in works of piety and works of mercy.[27] In his Sermon called "The Circumcision of the Heart" Wesley described it like this:[28]

It is that habitual disposition of soul which, in the sacred writings, is termed holiness; and which directly implies, the being cleansed from sin, "from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit;" and, by consequence, the being endued with those virtues which were also in Christ Jesus; the being so "renewed in the spirit of our mind," as to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect."
Even this was not an absolute perfection. The entirely sanctified Christian was perfect in love, meaning that the heart is undivided in its love for God or that it loves nothing that conflicts with its love for God. Christians perfected in love were still subject to conditions of the Fall and liable to commit unintentional transgressions. In consequence, these Christians still had to depend on forgiveness through Christ's atonement. However, with Wesley's concept of sin, he did believe in freedom from sin. In fact, he described it like this: "Certainly sanctification (in the proper sense) is "an instantaneous deliverance from all sin;" and includes "an instantaneous power then given".[29]

Wesley's concept of Christian perfection had both gradual and instantaneous elements. In his 1765 sermon "The Scripture Way of Salvation", Wesley emphasized the instantaneous side, stating, "Do you believe we are sanctified by faith? Be true, then, to your principle and look for this blessing just as you are, neither better nor worse; as a poor sinner that has still nothing to pay, nothing to plead but 'Christ died'. And if you look for it as you are, then expect it now."

In "Thoughts on Christian Perfection" (1759), Wesley stressed the gradual aspect of perfection, writing that it was to be received "in a zealous keeping of all the commandments; in watchfulness and painfulness; in denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily; as well as in earnest prayer and fasting and a close attendance on all the ordinances of God ...it is true we receive it by simple faith; but God does not, will not, give that faith unless we seek it with all diligence in the way which he hath ordained." In addition, Wesley also believed that Christian perfection, once received, might be forfeited. The systematic theologian of Methodism, John William Fletcher, termed the reception of entire sanctification as Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

John Wesley taught outward holiness as an expression of "inward transformation" and theologians in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition have noted that the observance of standards of dress and behaviour should follow the New Birth as an act of obedience to God.[30] [31]

Mainline Methodism

Calling it "the grand depositum" of the Methodist faith, Wesley specifically taught that the propagation of the doctrine of entire sanctification to the rest of Christendom was the main reason that God raised up the Methodists in the world.[32] [33] After Wesley's death, his teachings on Christian perfection remained important to the Methodist church, but, according to historian David Bebbington, "the tradition fell into decay." As later generations of Methodists sought greater respectability in the eyes of other Christian denominations, some turned to "a watered-down version" of the doctrine outlined by William Arthur (who served as Secretary of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society) in his popular work The Tongue of Fire, published in 1856. While Arthur encouraged readers to pray for a greater experience of the Holy Spirit, he de-emphasized the instantaneous aspect of Christian perfection. According to Bebbington, this eliminated the distinctiveness of Wesleyan entire sanctification, and by the 1860s, the idea that Christian perfection was a decisive second blessing or stage in Christian sanctification had fallen out of favor among some Methodists, though not all Methodists, as academic institutions affiliated with mainline Methodism such as Asbury Theological Seminary, Methodist camp meetings, and other Holiness Methodist associations within the Church continued to be a beacon for the holiness movement.

In contemporary Methodist Churches, Christian perfection remains official doctrine and both its gradual and instantaneous aspects are recognized. A Catechism for the Use of the People Called Methodists teaches:Candidates for ordination are asked the following question, "Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this life?" In the Methodist Church of Great Britain, the distinctive Wesleyan teachings are summed up in the phrase "All need to be saved; all can be saved; all can know they are saved; all can be saved to the uttermost" (the word "uttermost" referring to Christian perfection).

The Confession of Faith, one of the Doctrinal Standards of the United Methodist Church, teaches that entire sanctification may be bestowed upon the believer gradually or instantaneously:

James Heidinger II, former president of the Good News movement, an evangelical caucus within the United Methodist Church, has emphasized the significance of the doctrine of entire sanctification within Methodism: "There is no question about the importance of the doctrine of perfection in the history of Methodism. Wesley believed that this emphasis was a peculiar heritage given to the Methodists in trust for the whole Church." However, he has also noted that uncertainty, among some, exists within the denomination over the teaching: "Our discomfort with this doctrine today is seen in services of ordination when candidates are asked, 'Are you going on to perfection?' Our misunderstanding about this often brings uneasy chuckles and quick disclaimers that we certainly don't claim to be 'perfect' in our Christian life." Brian Beck, former President of the Methodist Conference in Britain, expressed his personal opinion in 2000 that "The doctrine [of sanctification] remains with us in Charles Wesley's hymns, but the formative framework, and even, I suspect, the spiritual intention, have largely gone." Writing on the need for improved spiritual formation within the British Methodist Church and the US-based United Methodist Church, Methodist theologian Randy L. Maddox commented that the terms "holiness of heart and life" and "Christian Perfection" were considered "prone to moralistic, static and unrealistic connotations, resulting in the growing uncomfortableness with and neglect of this aspect of our Wesleyan heritage." The Rev. Dr. Kevin M. Watson, a United Methodist clergyman and Assistant Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Seattle Pacific University, implores fellow pastors: "Teaching and preaching the possibility of being made perfect in love for God and neighbor, and seeking to actually become entirely sanctified are the reasons Methodism was 'raised up.' May we remember who we are and why the Holy Spirit brought us to life."[34]

The Global Methodist Church enshrines the doctrine of entire sanctification in its official catechism, teaching that "Entire sanctification is a state of perfect love, righteousness, and true holiness which every regenerate believer may obtain." It teaches that Christian perfection may be "received in this life either gradually or instantaneously" and that it should be "sought earnestly by every child of God." In order to maintain this state of holiness, the believer must "respond wholly to the will of God so that sin will lose its power over us; and the world, the flesh, and the devil are put under our feet."[35]

For John Wesley, the preaching of Christian perfection was crucial to the spiritual health of a Methodist church: he taught that "Where Christian perfection is not strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom any remarkable blessing from God; and consequently little addition to the society, and little life in the members of it." As such, he urged ministers: "Till you press the believers to expect full salvation [entire sanctification] now, you must not look for any revival."[36]

Holiness movement

See main article: Holiness movement. In the 19th century, there were Methodists who sought to revitalize the doctrine of Christian perfection or holiness, which had, in the words of religion scholar Randall Balmer, "faded into the background" as mainline Methodists gained respectability and became solidly middle class. While it originated as a revival movement within the Methodist Episcopal Church and many adherents of the holiness movement remained within mainline Methodism, the holiness movement grew to be interdenominational and gave rise to a number of Wesleyan-holiness denominations, including the Free Methodist Church, Church of the Nazarene, the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), The Salvation Army, and the Wesleyan Methodist Church.[37] [38]

An early promoter of holiness was American Methodist Phoebe Palmer. Through her evangelism and writings, Palmer articulated an "altar theology" that outlined a "shorter way" to entire sanctification, achieved through placing oneself on a metaphorical altar by sacrificing worldly desires. As long as the Christian placed themselves on the altar and had faith that it was God's will to accomplish sanctification, the Christian could be assured that God would sanctify them. In the words of historian Jeffrey Williams, "Palmer made sanctification an instantaneous act accomplished through the exercise of faith." Many holiness denominations require pastors to profess that they have already experienced entire sanctification. This emphasis on the instantaneous nature of Christian perfection rather than its gradual side is a defining feature of the Wesleyan-holiness movement. The Discipline of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches thus teaches that:[39] [40]

We believe that entire sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by which the child of God is cleansed from inherited depravity and empowered for more effective service through faith in Jesus Christ. It is subsequent to regeneration and is accomplished in a moment of time when the believer presents himself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. The Spirit-filled believer is thus enabled to love God with an undivided heart.
A second defining emphasis of the Holiness movement is the complete destruction and eradication of the sinful nature. H. Orton Wiley, the premier Holiness systematic theologian, quotes R. T. Williams explaining:[41]
It is folly to try to pass as a believer in holiness and at the same time question its doctrine of eradication. There cannot be such a thing as holiness in its final analysis without the eradication of sin. Holiness and suppression are incompatible terms. "The old man" and counteraction make a pale and sickly kind of holiness doctrine. It is holiness and eradication or holiness not at all.
Another key aspect of the Holiness movement is their close adherence to Wesley's definition of sin. Wesley stated in a letter:[42]
Nothing is sin, strictly speaking, but a voluntary transgression of a known law of God. Therefore, every voluntary breach of the law of love is sin; and nothing else, if we speak properly. To strain the matter farther is only to make way for Calvinism. There may be ten thousand wandering thoughts, and forgetful intervals, without any breach of love, though not without transgressing the Adamic law. But Calvinists would fain confound these together. Let love fill your heart, and it is enough!
With this understanding of sin, clergy aligned with the holiness movement teach the possibility of complete freedom from all sin, both inward and outward, as expressed by John Fletcher's statement "He who is possessed of love, is free from all sin."[43]

Holiness Pentecostalism

See main article: Holiness Pentecostalism. Holiness Pentecostal denominations, also known as Wesleyan Pentecostals or Methodistic Pentecostals are Pentecostals that believe in entire sanctification as a second work of grace.[44] [45] Inheriting Wesleyan–Arminian theology from the holiness movement within Methodism, Holiness Pentecostals are the original branch of Pentecostalism,[44] and these denominations include the Apostolic Faith Church, the Calvary Holiness Association, the Congregational Holiness Church, the Free Gospel Church, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Church of God (Cleveland), the Church of God in Christ and The (Original) Church of God;[46] [47] the Heritage Bible College is a Bible college that trains many Holiness Pentecostal clergy.[48] [49] In the United States, major Holiness Pentecostal camp meetings include the Portland AFC Camp Meeting (Portland, Oregon), Blanchard Holiness Camp Meeting (Blanchard, OK), Dripping Springs Holiness Camp Meeting (Glenwood, Arkansas) and Muldrow Holiness Camp Meeting (Muldrow, OK). For Holiness Pentecostals, entire sanctification is the second work of grace in a series of three distinct blessings that Christians experience. The first work of grace is conversion (the new birth) and the third work of grace is the baptism in the Holy Spirit (which is marked by speaking in tongues). Methodism (inclusive of the holiness movement) teaches two works of grace—the New Birth and Entire Sanctification, while Holiness Pentecostals add a third work of grace, Baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues, to this sequence (in contrast, in Methodism, baptism with the Holy Spirit refers to entire sanctification).[50] [51] According to church historian and theologian Ted A. Campbell, this three-part pattern is often explained by stating "Holy Spirit cannot fill an unclean vessel", so the cleansing of the heart that takes place in entire sanctification is necessary before a person can be filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit. The testimony of those who attended the Azusa Street Revival was "I am saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost" in reference to the three works of grace of Holiness Pentecostals, the oldest branch of Pentecostalism.[44] In contrast, Finished Work Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God, reject the doctrine of entire sanctification.[52]

Quaker teaching

George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, taught Christian perfection, also known in the Friends tradition as "perfection", in which the Christian believer could be made free from sin. In his Some Principles of the Elect People of God Who in Scorn are called Quakers, for all the People throughout all Christendome to Read over, and thereby their own States to Consider, he writes in section "XVI. Concerning Perfection":[53]

The early Quakers, following Fox, taught that as a result of the New Birth through the power of the Holy Spirit, man could be free from actual sinning if he continued to rely on the inward light and "focus on the cross of Christ as the center of faith".[54] George Fox emphasized "personal responsibility for faith and emancipation from sin" in his teaching on perfection.[54] For the Christian, "perfectionism and freedom from sin were possible in this world".[55]

This traditional Quaker teaching continues to be emphasized by Conservative Friends, such as the Ohio Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and Holiness Friends, such as the Central Yearly Meeting of Friends.[56] [57]

Keswickian teaching

Keswickian theology teaches a second work of grace that occurs through "surrender and faith", in which God keeps an individual from sin.[58] Keswickian denominations, such as the Christian and Missionary Alliance, differ from the Wesleyan-Holiness movement in that the Christian and Missionary Alliance does not see entire sanctification as cleansing one from original sin, whereas holiness denominations espousing the Wesleyan–Arminian theology affirm this belief.[59] [60]

Criticism

There are Protestant denominations that reject the possibility of Christian perfection. Lutherans, citing letters by Paul of Tarsus in and, believe that "although we will strive for Christian perfection, we will not attain it in this life."[61] Modern apologists further note that:

While Presbyterians believe that Christians do "grow in God's grace" or holiness as they become conformed to the image of Christ, they reject the notion that perfection is attainable. In their view, sin will continue to affect one's motives and actions. This means that perfection is only attainable in glorification after death.

See also

References

Bibliography

Further reading

Catholic

Methodist

Lutheran

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Spirago . Francis . The Catechism Explained . 1899 . Benziger Brothers . 508 . English . 1. God requires of all the just that they should aspire to Christian perfection. God desires the sinner to be converted, the just to strive after perfection. The duty of aspiring after perfection is included in the precept of charity, for it requires us to love God with all our strength. And what else does that mean but continual advancement in the path of virtue? "He that is just let him be justified still, and he that is holy let him be sanctified still" (Apoc. xxii. 11). Our Lord lays this injunction upon us: "Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. v. 48). The will of God is none other than our sanctification. He who does not aim at the attainment of Christian perfection, is in danger of losing his soul. The vessel that does not stem the stream will drift downwards. Where there is no progression there is retrogression; no man can stand still on the path of virtue." As soon," says St. Augustine," as thou art content with thyself, and thinkest thou hast done enough, thou art lost." We should aim at the highest degree of sanctity, imitating the trader, who is wont to ask the highest possible price for his wares..
  2. Web site: Living a holy life . methodist.org.uk . . 7 January 2020 . en . John Wesley taught about 'Christian perfection.' He believed that a mature Christian could reach a state where the love of God reigns supreme in our heart..
  3. Book: Oden . Thomas C. . Thomas C. Oden . Doctrinal Standards in the Wesleyan Tradition: Revised Edition . 2008 . Abingdon Press . 978-1-4267-6124-9 . 190 . en.
  4. Web site: What We Believe . . 7 July 2024 . en.
  5. Web site: Hanko . Ronald . Glorification . Loveland Protestant Reformed Church . 29 March 2022 . . English . The last step in the order of salvation is "glorification," that is, the receiving of God's elect into heavenly glory. In our glorification God finishes the work of salvation that He began with regeneration. He not only delivers His people from all their suffering and from death, but delivers them too from all their sins..
  6. Web site: Eddy. Mary Baker. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 426. 1890 . Boston. F.J.F. Eddy.
  7. Web site: James 1:17 – Good and Perfect Gifts . 2023-11-12 . Bible Hub.
  8. Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapter 39).
  9. Book: Burnett, Daniel L.. In the Shadow of Aldersgate: An Introduction to the Heritage and Faith of the Wesleyan Tradition. 15 March 2006. Wipf and Stock Publishers. en. 978-1-62189-980-8. 116–117. The doctrine of entire sanctification has been present from the very beginnings of the Christian faith. Since the focus of the first few centuries was on the battle against Christological heresies, a systematic doctrine of sanctification did not emerge during that period. Its roots, however, were clearly present in such Early Church Fathers as Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. By the fourth century the highly regarded writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Macarius the Egyptian...advocated understandings of entire sanctification that sound very Wesleyan..
  10. Kaufman. Paul L.. June 2018. Did Holiness Begin with John Wesley?. The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist. 80. 6. 4–5. en.
  11. Web site: SUMMA THEOLOGIAE: The state of perfection in general (Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 184) . 2023-11-12 . www.newadvent.org.
  12. Web site: purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways . 2023-11-12 . Oxford Reference . en .
  13. Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange (1938/1939), The Three Ages of the Interior Life, chapter Christian Perfection.
  14. Web site: Arthur Devine, "State or Way" in Catholic Encyclopedia . https://web.archive.org/web/20121103234612/http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=State_or_Way . 2012-11-03 . 2017-04-05.
  15. Web site: Augustin Poulain, "Contemplation", in The Catholic Encyclopedia 1908 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120113160224/http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Contemplation . 2012-01-13 . 2011-11-24.
  16. Book: Burnett, Daniel L.. In the Shadow of Aldersgate: An Introduction to the Heritage and Faith of the Wesleyan Tradition. 15 March 2006. Wipf and Stock Publishers. en. 978-1-62189-980-8. 116–117.
  17. Web site: Jannakos . Paul . Is Human Perfection Possible? . Pravmir . 6 December 2021 . English . 2 October 2009.
  18. Web site: . Chapter 1: The Anabaptists . . 12 May 2022 . English.
  19. Book: Jones . Charles Edwin . A Guide to the Study of The Holiness Movement . 1974 . 213 . English.
  20. H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, vol. 2 (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1940–1952), p. 499.
  21. [John William Fletcher]
  22. Book: Tyerman . Luke . Wesley's Designated Successor: The Life, Letters and Literary Labors . 29 March 2017 . Hansebooks . 978-3-7447-1890-5 . 2 . English.
  23. John William Fletcher, The Works of the Reverend John Fletcher, vol. 2 (New York: B. Waugh and T. Mason, 1833), p. 495.
  24. Wesley, John (1872). The Works of John Wesley (Third Edition, Vol. 12, p. 394). London, England: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room.
  25. Wesley, John, Sermon 40: "Christian Perfection". .
  26. Book: Stokes . Mack B. . Major United Methodist Beliefs . 1971 . Abingdon Press . 978-0-687-22923-9 . 91 . English . He believed in Christian perfection as a second work of grace because of the testimony of others..
  27. Book: S. T. Kimbrough. Orthodox and Wesleyan ecclesiology. 2007. St Vladimir's Seminary Press. 9780881412680. Perhaps Wesley's favorite description of his own calling and that of Methodism was to "spread scriptural holiness." He and his helpers preaced "entire sanctification" or "Christian perfection" understood as the single-hearted love of God and neighbor. The twin vehicles and expressions of such love were "works of piety" (prayer, fasting, searching the Scriptures, partaking of the Lord's Supper as "means of grace") and "works of mercy" ("doing good unto all men, to their souls and to their bodies"): "God works [in you]; therefore you can work. God works [in you]; therefore you must work.".
  28. Wesley, John (1872). The Works of John Wesley (Third Edition, Vol. 5, p. 203). London, England: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room.
  29. Wesley, John (1872). The Works of John Wesley (Third Edition, Vol. 12, p. 207). London, England: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room.
  30. Book: Thornton . Wallace Jr. . Behavioral Standards, Embourgeoisement, and the Formation of the Conservative Holiness Movement . 2008 . Wesleyan Theological Society . 187–193 . English.
  31. Web site: Getting It Right: Christian Perfection and Wesley's Purposeful List. Headley. Anthony J.. 4 October 2013. Seedbed. en. 29 May 2018.
  32. Book: Davies. Rupert E.. George. A. Raymond. Rupp. Gordon. A History of the Methodist Church in Great Britain, Volume Three. 14 June 2017. Wipf & Stock Publishers. en. 978-1-5326-3050-7. 225.
  33. Web site: Wesleyan Heritage Series: Entire Sanctification. Gibson. James. South Georgia Confessing Association. en. 30 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180529053529/http://ucmpage.org/sgca/wesley01.htm. 29 May 2018.
  34. Web site: Watson . Kevin M. . 29 May 2013 . Christian Perfection: The Reason for Methodism . 11 June 2019 . United Methodist Insight . 4 . en-us . 16 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190616211621/http://um-insight.net/blogs/kevin-watson/christian-perfection:-the-reason-for-methodism/ . dead .
  35. Book: Catechism for the Global Methodist Church . 2022 . . 11.
  36. Web site: Brown . Allan . 1 November 2011 . Key Passages That Teach the Concept of Entire Sanctification . 29 March 2022 . . English . John Wesley observed in his Methodist Societies that wherever entire sanctification was not regularly preached and strongly urged upon Christians, believers grew cold and dead. In 1776, when he was 73 years of age, he wrote this to a friend: "Where Christian perfection [entire sanctification] is not strongly and explicitly preached, there is seldom any remarkable blessing from God; and consequently little addition to the society, and little life in the members of it. Speak and spare not. Let not regard for any man induce you to betray the truth of God. Till you press the believers to expect full salvation [entire sanctification] now, you must not look for any revival." (Works, Vol. 6, p. 761)..
  37. Book: Winn . Christian T. Collins . From the Margins: A Celebration of the Theological Work of Donald W. Dayton . 2007 . Wipf and Stock Publishers . 978-1-63087-832-0 . 115 . en . In addition to these separate denominational groupings, one needs to give attention to the large pockets of the Holiness movement that have remained within the United Methodist Church. The most influential of these would be the circles dominated by Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (both in Wilmore, Kentucky), but one could speak of other colleges, innumerable local campmeetings, the vestiges of various local Holiness associations, independent Holiness oriented missionary societies and the like that have had great impact within United Methodism. A similar pattern would exist in England with the role of Cliff College within Methodism in that context..
  38. Book: Swatos, William H. . Encyclopedia of Religion and Society . 1998 . . 978-0-7619-8956-1 . 358 . en.
  39. Web site: Core Values. Bible Methodist Connection of Churches. en. 29 May 2018.
  40. Web site: DISCIPLINE OF THE BIBLE METHODIST CONNECTION OF CHURCHES. 2018. www.biblemethodist.org.
  41. H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology, vol. 2 (Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1940–1952), p. 475.
  42. John Wesley, The Works of John Wesley, Third Edition., vol. 12 (London, England: Wesleyan Methodist Book Room, 1872), p. 394.
  43. John William Fletcher, The Works of the Reverend John Fletcher, vol. 2 (New York: B. Waugh and T. Mason, 1833), p. 223.
  44. Book: Synan . Vinson . The Century of the Holy Spirit: 100 Years of Pentecostal and Charismatic Renewal, 1901–2001 . 30 January 2012 . Thomas Nelson . 978-1-4185-8753-6 . En . Most of the first generation of Pentecostals were from this holiness stream that had its roots in Methodism. ... When the Pentecostal movement began, these "Holiness Pentecostals" simply added the baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues as "initial evidence" of a "third blessing" that brought power for witnessing to those who had already been sanctified. With the news tongues experience, sanctification was seen as a prerequisite "cleansing" that qualified the seeker to experience the "third blessing" of baptism in the Holy Spirit. An early prophetic utterance stated ominously that "My Spirit will not dwell in an unclean temple." Seekers were encouraged to abandon all the roots of bitterness and original sin so that nothing would block their reception of the Spirit. In fact, it was told that Seymour would not admit seekers to enter the upper room to seek the baptism until he was satisfied that their sanctification experience had been certified downstairs. The historic Azusa Street testimony was "I am saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost.".
  45. Barrett . David B. . July 1988 . The Twentieth-Century Pentecostal/Charismatic Renewal in the Holy Spirit, with its Goal of World Evangelization . International Bulletin of Missionary Research . en . 12 . 3 . 119–129 . 10.1177/239693938801200303 . 149417223 . 0272-6122.
  46. James Leo Garrett, Systematic Theology, Volume 2, Second Edition, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2014, p. 395; "Those branches of the Pentecostal movement in the United States which arose from the Holiness movement have retained the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification and made baptism in or with the Spirit to be the third essential experience (e.g., Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, Pentecostal Holiness Church, and Church of God in Christ)."
  47. Book: Anderson . Allan . An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity . 13 May 2004 . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-53280-8 . 47 . English . Those who resisted Durham's teaching and remained in the 'three-stage' camp were Seymour, Crawford and Parham, and Bishops Charles H. Mason, A. J. Tomlinson and J. H. King, respectively leaders of the Church of God in Christ, the Church of God (Cleveland) and the Pentecostal Holiness Church. Tomlinson and King each issued tirades against the 'finished work' doctrine in their periodicals, but by 1914 some 60 percent of all North American Pentecostals had embraced Durham's position. ... The 'Finished Work' controversy was only the first of many subsequent divisions in North American Pentecostalism. Not only did Pentecostal churches split over the question of sanctification as a distinct experience, but a more fundamental and acrimonious split erupted in 1916 over the doctrine of the Trinity. ... The 'New Issue' was a schism in the ranks of the 'Finished Work' Pentecostals that began as a teaching that the correct formula for baptism is 'in the name of Jesus' and developed into a dispute about the Trinity. It confirmed for Holiness Pentecostals that they should have no further fellowship with the 'Finished Work' Pentecostals, who were in 'heresy'..
  48. Web site: Statement of Faith . Heritage Bible College . 10 May 2024 . en . In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ, through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost..
  49. Web site: Scott . Rebekah . Murrysville Bible school produces teachers, preachers, prophets and apostles . . 17 June 2022 . English . 5 January 2006.
  50. Web site: Guidelines: The UMC and the Charismatic Movement . . 31 July 2019 . en . 2012 . The Methodists were also first to coin the phrase baptism of the Holy Spirit as applied to a second and sanctifying grace (experience) of God. (Cf. John Fletcher of Madeley, Methodism's earliest formal theologian.) The Methodists meant by their "baptism" something different from the Pentecostals, but the view that this is an experience of grace separate from and after salvation was the same. . 31 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190731112659/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/guidelines-the-umc-and-the-charismatic-movement . live .
  51. Web site: Doctrine. 15 December 2000. Pilgrim Holiness Church of New York, Inc.. en. 31 May 2018. 2 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502115615/http://www.pilgrimholinesschurch.org/doctrine.htm. live.
  52. Book: Levinson . David . Religion: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia . 1996 . ABC-CLIO . 978-0-87436-865-9 . 151 . English . The Finished Work Pentecostals believed that conversion and sanctification were a single act of grace. The Assemblies of God, created in 1914, became the first Finished Work denomination..
  53. Web site: George Fox . Some Principles of the Quakers . Robert Wilson . en . 1661. George Fox .
  54. Book: Elwell . Walter A. . Evangelical Dictionary of Theology . 2001 . Baker Academic . 978-0-8010-2075-9 . en.
  55. Book: Stewart . Kathleen Anne . The York Retreat in the Light of the Quaker Way: Moral Treatment Theory: Humane Therapy Or Mind Control? . 1992 . William Sessions . 978-1-85072-089-8 . en. On the other hand, Fox believed that perfectionism and freedom from sin were possible in this world..
  56. Web site: An Evangelical Christian asks questions about sinlessness and perfection . Stillwater Monthly Meeting of Ohio Yearly Meeting of Friends . 10 May 2022 . English . We are not justified by works. But good works follow necessarily as an indicator that we have accepted a relationship with Him through the application of our free will. If opening the door on which Jesus knocks is to be considered a work, then we are justified by works to that extent. But if we look at it as an obligation which we force on God--that is, if we believe that our good works are the agent of our salvation--then we miss the mark. The key is that God offers us the opportunity to become a genuine traveler in His company. Over time, if we do not resist it, the Light makes changes in us that bring us more and more into accordance with God's plans for us--we become more and more like what He wanted us to be. Over time, we sin less and less, as we become more and more in tune with His will. How clean a state of sinlessness is enough is not up to us--that decision belongs to Jesus. And providentially for us, Jesus is a merciful and compassionate judge. Quakers believe that we are called to be perfect, as our Father in Heaven is perfect. We are called to live a life as free of sin as we can. We believe that if God wants to bring a Christian to a state of sinless perfection, then He has that right and that power. We do not limit the power of the Holy Spirit in that matter. . 26 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220626232444/https://www.conservativefriend.org/perfectionfaq.htm . dead .
  57. Web site: About Us . . 11 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131005062231/http://www.centralyearlymeetingoffriends.org/AboutUs.dsp . 5 October 2013 . 2013.
  58. Web site: Naselli . Andy . Models of Sanctification . . 30 September 2020 . en.
  59. Web site: The Radical Holiness Movement and The Christian and Missionary Alliance: Twins, perhaps, but not Identical . Bernie A. Van De Walle . 30 September 2020 . en.
  60. Book: Wu . Dongsheng John . Understanding Watchman Nee: Spirituality, Knowledge, and Formation . 1 April 2012 . Wipf and Stock Publishers . 978-1-63087-573-2 . 58 . en. D. D. Bundy notes that A. B. Simpson (1843–1919)—Presbyterian founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance—who never accepted the Wesleyan doctrine of eradication of sin, accepted the Keswickian understanding of sanctification. .
  61. Web site: WELS vs Assembly of God . WELS Topical Q&A . . 29 Jan 2015 . https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090927075008/https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=257&cuItem_itemID=7092 . 2009-09-27 .