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Major Kelvin Merrett shares his journal notes on Wesleyan holiness.

Wesley holiness! It has been a while since I have reflected and rethought my own beliefs (and perhaps bias) towards holiness in The Salvation Army. It will be interesting to see how 26 years of ministry have influenced my thoughts. It will also be interesting to examine what impact holiness has had on my own life and ministry over this period.

As I start this journey, have any of the following statements changed for me over the years?

The upbringing of John Wesley and his family environment would have moulded his character and perhaps even his own “experience” of God as a youngster. The family environment continues to be so important in life today. My own faith in God was introduced through the lifestyle of my parents and the local Salvation Army Corps. It was therefore very easy for me to adopt the ways of The Salvation Army along with its distinctive methods and doctrines. My lifestyle has meant that the Christian way is the “normal” way. Having said that I remember with real clarity my relationship with Jesus as a youngster. Not an imaginary friend but someone who was with in my early days at school, who I could share the day with at night, what went wrong, what was good! The simplicity of child-like faith! Yet, that simple faith – of knowing there is a God who loves me, has remained central to my own faith. There has though been the need to rediscover who God is in the context of my life.

I suspect that Wesley had a similar experience. A life journey – not on discovering God – but discovering who God is!

One of the perceptions of a holiness discussion is the tension of living a life that is holy v’s a life that complies with a list of does and don’ts. With the Christian tradition there is a ‘code of conduct’ but that really is no different to many areas that we find ourselves in – the laws of countries, road laws, company laws. Yet, we often have the misconception that the Bible and Christianity is about being “good” by living a “good” life – with holiness the way to live that “good” life. Legalism. No wonder many are not interested!

The context of holiness In Matthew[3] has reminded me of the need for context. The Sermon on the Mount being followed by:

Matthew 4:17 (NIV)

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Matthew 9:35 (NIV)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Holiness is not about living a lifestyle, it is about being in oneness with God – an intimate relationship with God, and through that relationship we live a lifestyle that reflects our experience with God. We become more Christlike in our living, our outward expression. It will be interesting to see if my thoughts change on that over the next few days!

“The connection between love and holy living is central to the Pauline corpus (and also to the Wesleyan though). Love precludes legalistic holiness, and the expression of love in action arises from holiness in heart.”[4]

‘Holiness is God’s alignment to His purpose.”[5]

This for me is a foundational statement on my understanding of holiness. It has provided a springboard for the development of my own holiness journey and has also helped me to share with others what holiness can mean for them.

It is an important concept for me because it describes holiness as a journey. (The danger of this thought could be that you “never arrive” i.e. you are always trying to achieve the fullness of holiness.) Holiness as a journey paints for me the picture of holiness being a journey with God. I live a life that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, I have this inner source that guides, equips, challenges, chastises me. A Holy Spirit that lives life with me; a partner in life and ministry.

“The church cannot be holy if it focused on private holiness rather than the mission of the Church”[6]

This is thought provoking. It places holiness into context. What is the point of living holy lives, if we are not fulfilling the mission of the Church? It would seem that some of our teaching in The Salvation Army needs to be balanced out here. My impression would be that when we talk/preach about holiness we do so with a focus on ourselves. We talk about “living in the world” but the focus remains on us, and our lifestyle rather than the mission of the Church. Why are we called to be living holy lives? To be his ambassadors…

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NASB95)
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The Issue of Eastern influence on Wesley

These five points[7] resinate with me….

1.   The “therapeutic” emphasis v’s the “legal” concern. One of the greatest “hurts” that I often hear about in the Christian faith is the legalistic approach the Church (Army) has often taken in “dealing” with people. How many more would still be in the ranks of The Salvation Army if we had offered the Grace of God. There needs to be these times when we discipline – but to what degree? The offer of a healed and healthy soul is an appeal that is surely attractive to people. It has to be – for it IS God!  I like this thought – it gives people hope and encouragement.  People need to hear this message. (A topic for a future sermon!)

2.   Grace is not impersonal and created – bestowed – but a personal Presence. This brings me back to the foundations of my belief in God. The scriptures point us to God; inform us about God; they are the living word – but, we cannot discover who God really is, until He becomes a loving reality in our lives. (The step of faith.) Why do I know God is true? Because his spirit witness to me – and lives in me. Basic simple truths that people can easily dismiss, but as I reflect on people that I have “witnessed” to (i.e. established relationships with), has it been anything I have said to them? I don’t think so – the reality is that they see God in me!!! How? I have no charismatic personality, I’m not a humorous person, yet the miracle of God’s grace enables people to see through me and see God! Humbling! Scary! How easy it is for our actions to block people from seeing God!

3.   No dependence on imputed righteousness. As I reflect on this thought I cannot help but feel burdened for may people who attend “my” church (The Salvation Army). My intuition tells me that many believe they have the attributes of Christianity (holiness) passed onto them because they belong to the Army. Holiness becomes a “right of passage” by belonging to the Church. Perhaps I am being to critical? A powerful thought here. More preaching material!

4.   There is the need for perseverance in faith and obedience. This is where I have a personal conflict with the “second blessing” been seen as “having arrived” in one’s experience of holiness. “Perseverance in faith and obedience” must also mean continual growth. The second blessing (or entire sanctification) is essential, in that people need to know that when they become a Christian they are also equipped and empowered to live a holy life – but it is still a growing experience. The concept of “born again” Christians has done harm to the church. The argument from “born again” Christians that you were not really saved unless you have the gift of tongues – left many Christians trying to “reconvert” Christians with the gift of tongues – and many Christians left wondering “where they were” in the experience of God and Holiness.[8]  Holiness is a journey – not a journey to attain the ‘second blessing” – but a journey of growth.

5.   Sanctification is not a static state. I love the thought of holiness being a “dynamic growing process”. This is the thought that we need to connect with our people. Holiness is dynamic, it is not just a process, it is Christianity being lived out in the world. “Grace is the Holy Spirit at work in our life, initiating and sustaining our recovery of Christlikeness.”[9] The thought here of “recovery” by Maddox is powerful. It reminds us that we are on a journey. Another sermon!

“God enables but does force, human obedience and cooperation. Thus, God’s sovereignty relates to empowerment rather than control. “God’s Grace works powerfully, but not irresistibly, in matters of human life and salvation; thereby empowering our response-ability, without overriding our responsibility.”[10]

This is an interesting thought.  The God of creation, the omnipotent God, is the God who choses to empower his people rather than rule over them.

I find myself in agreement with Wesley that God as “divine love” could not create a world in which the majority would find “eternal damnation”[11] It brings me back to my belief that God’s divine love is one that will always find forgiveness for ALL those who are genuine in their repentance. There is also the flipside that people can reject the grace of God. I like the summary that has been provided by Collins,[12] in referring to the transitions that occur in our lives:

This of course is no formula. God’s journey with me is individual as it is with everyone else. My movement from ignorance to fear is not recalled but I do recall the traditional holiness interpretation that holiness was the about the way we lived our lives, more of a conforming (Legal State) but was balanced out by knowing and understanding the Love of God. The concept of entire sanctification being a journey comes out here as well. Collins suggesting that entire sanctification is the leading to the perfection of God’s love.

Sanctification

It is interesting to note that Wesley kept his daily diaries as a means of keeping himself accountable. (No wonder they were written in code). Journaling is something that I need to reconsider for myself. It has to become a priority again. It forces you to not only consider questions – but helps you to formulate answers – or provide a record of answers that have yet to be discovered.

The degrees of faith question arising again, following Wesley’s Aldersgate experience. The crisis moment that Wesley speaks off – I like the thought that it is “a God-given sense of assurance.”[13] We do need to have the assurance. It becomes a foundation upon which we build our journey. Not unlike my call to Officership. No bells sounding, but an assurance that I am called by God, an assurance that keeps my going in times of hardship. (My definition of madness – someone who has become an officer with no calling!)

Degrees of faith – I prefer to thinks of these as a journey in faith. The journey is sometimes on twisted and winding roads, up high mountains, journeying in dark weather, good weather, back down the mountains again, deciding what direction to take when the journey comes to a fork in the road.

This definition by Collins is helpful to me,

“…the guilt of sin is dealt with in justification

its power in regeneration

it’s being in entire sanctification”[14]

It reinforces for me what is emerging as a theme; salvation is the beginning of the journey of holiness – not to holiness but of holiness.

Other Sanctification thoughts[15]

Reflection on a Wesley song….. [16]

Holiness is power – Phoebe Palmer.  The Palmer story is an interesting one. In some ways her “short-cut” mirrors the quick fix that society wants today! All power – now! Having said that I do realise that God is sovereign and omnipotent, and that he treats individuals uniquely. He equips us.

Phoebe’s three-step formula known as “the altar covenant.”

1.                              A seeker of entire sanctification first consecrates all completely to God by placing everything on God’s altar.

2.                              He or she must then have faith that the “altar sanctifies the gift.”

3.                              The individual must testify to the experience.

Developments to the present[17]

There is the important need to recognise that just as with the birth of a child there is a need for growth and nourishment, so this is true for the Christian. But the adolescence for the new Christian does not have to be years. The “second blessing” or the awareness that God has created a new self means that as Christians we can live lives that are not weighed down by temptations of life, or by striving to be the better person. We need to recognise the power of the Holy Spirit is with the Christian from salvation and allow Him to work within us.

What the holiness movement has provided for us is an interpretation that allows us to understand we can have a victorious life, where we do not have to live the sin / repent / sin / repent cycle.

“In am not perfect – but at the same time I can testify to being holy”[19]

The Salvation Army could be accused of having a simple stance on the doctrine of holiness. When you consider the movement is 120 +- years old, there is not a wealth of books on the subject written by Salvationist for The Salvation Army. Brengle has for many years been seen as the source of the majority of holiness teaching and his strong influence continues to be seen in holiness seminars institutes been named after him. Whilst the teaching that happens in modern day “Brengle” is for more broader than Brengle’s viewpoints, for the average Salvationists I would suggest that when they hear their Corps Officer is going to “Brengle”, they make the assumptions that the teaching is based on Brengle.

Coutts, has made a helpful counter argument to the holiness discussion.[20] Modern day Salvation Army scholars are providing a broader framework to consider the doctrine of holiness.  The question and challenge remains – how do we move it from the classroom to practical teaching for Salvationists? What can I do?

Contemporary Issues and challenges[21]

Coutts comment: “Is holiness going to become a “relic”?  - it is up to us!

The Salvation Army has and continues to go through dramatic change. In the last 25 years the local Corps (in the western world) is evolving from Corps that were uniform in looks and programs to Corps that are wanting to engage with their local Community and fulfil the mission of The Salvation Army. With this newfound freedom there is an important need for The Salvation Army to have an understanding of its own theology. We can no longer rely on conformity to be the glue that keeps us together as a movement. We need to have a firm understanding of who we are and what we believe in.  This includes our understanding of the Doctrine of Holiness, which is very much a part of who we are. The Salvation Army was known as a Holiness movement. This needs to be reclaimed – but in a way that engages The Salvation Army to fulfil its mission – to be The Salvation Army.

The Journey for me….

It has been helpful for me to again explore the Doctrine of Holiness and to do so in so in the context of Wesleyan Holiness.  It has reaffirmed my understanding and my own experience of holiness.

As Wesley noted there is a difference between justification and entire sanctification. At the time of our conversion there is a sanctification process that takes place (Initial sanctification)[22] but as we continue to grow in faith there is an entire sanctification that takes place – a realisation that God has not only saved us from sin and the guilt of sin, but He also wants us to live a life that is moving towards (journeying to) perfect love, a sinless life.

There is a need for the process of entire sanctification to be realised and there will also be a difference in view as to how this will be experienced. Hopefully today we can approach this realisation in a mature way, in that the “second blessing” does not need to be a crisis involving strong outward emotion, but is a genuine recognising of the work of God within us. There is a need to recognise that there are two acts of God happening – but caution and wisdom is needed so Christians who have not experienced a vivid “second blessing” are left wondering and confused about their won salvation and sanctification.  (A similar argument could be used for conversion!)

Entire sanctification does not imply infallibility.[23]

In reflection on this journal, one of the key words and themes that has emerged is “journey”.  There have been so surprises for me during the course of the intensive – but this does not mean there has not been soul searching and reflection. Holiness is not about lifestyle but about being one with God in a relationship that continues to grow as we journey towards being more Christlike, (and this will result in a lifestyle that mirrors our journey.)

As Wesley suggested following his Aldersgate experience, the second blessing can be described as “a God-given sense of assurance”.  It is one that we need to be able to define in our lives, but does not have to be pinpointed to a specific time and place, or experience. As Maddox suggested we are on a journey of recovery – recovering the Christlikeness that was once mankind’s and the Scriptures call us to.

Collins, Kenneth J. John Wesley – A Theological Journey, Abingdon Press

Collins, Kenneth J, The Scripture way of salvation: the heart pf John’s Wesley’s theology, Nasvilee, Abingdon Press

Maddox, Randy L.  , Responsible grace: John Wesley’s practical theolog, Nashville: Abingdon, 1994,

Maddox, John. ‘Reading Wesley As A Theologian’ in In Heart of the Heritage: Core Themes of the Wesleyan/Holiness Tradition as Highlighted by the Wesleyan Theological Society 1965–2000, 17–70. Ed Barry L. Callen & William Kostlevy. (Salem, OH: Schmul Publishing, 2001)

Webb, Geoff with Kalie Webb. Authentic “fair dinkum” Authentic Holiness for ordinary Christians, The Salvation Army, Melbourne, 2007

Class notes: CT 208/308.15, Foundations Of The Wesleyan Holiness Tradition