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The
Perfection of Believers in this Life
James
Arminius
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A
brief commentary by James Arminius on his views of the perfection of
believers in this life through the experience of salvation. He is
defending his theology against the charge of Pelagianism and uses
arguments from Augustine to support his position that the grace of
Christ and the free will of man in cooperation with that grace enable
the Christian to live the life God intends.
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Christian
Perfection
John
Wesley
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A sermon by John Wesley in which he
explores the biblical concept of Christian Perfection. He addresses what
perfection IS and what it is NOT. Mr. Wesley also addresses objections
to this teaching, most of which are still brought up today. This sermon
is of great historical importance because it is one of the first logical
explanations of Christian Perfection since the time of the Apostles.
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On
Perfection
John Wesley
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A sermon by John Wesley. Wesley understands holiness
and perfection to be the same thing. He explains Christian perfection
and then answers some objections. This message supplements the original
teaching of Mr. Wesley on this topic.
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A
Plain Account of Christian Perfection
John
Wesley
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This is the final and definitive work
by John Wesley on the subject of Christian Perfection. It is a defense
and recapitulation of all the Mr. Wesley taught on the subject and it
contains extracts from various sermons and tracts that he wrote.
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Fletcher
on Christian Perfection
John
Fletcher
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John
Fletcher was the defender of John Wesley and essentially the first
theologian of the Wesleyan movement. In this tract, Mr. Fletcher
explains Christian Perfection and presents a sound biblical apology for,
not just the belief, the experience and reality of Christian Perfection.
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Christian
Perfection
Asa Mahan,
D.D.
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Written in 1839 by Dr. Mahan, whose
theological background was not Wesleyan, this book is one of the
clearest and most concise discussions of Christian Perfection (also
known as Holiness and Entire Sanctification) ever written. Dr. Mahan
discusses this subject in eight chapters giving precise scriptural
analysis to the topic and addresses the most common objections. This is
a MUST READ for anyone interested in the scriptural view of holiness.
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Christian
Perfection
Charles
G. Finney
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A sermon by Finney from 1837 dealing
with the subject of Christian Perfection. His five points are: (1) to
show what Christian Perfection is not, (2) to show what is the
perfection required, (3) to show that perfection is a duty, (4) to show
that it is attainable, and (5) to answer some objections. Finney equates
sanctification, perfection, and holiness. "Too long has the church
been in the habit of thinking that the great design of the gospel is, to
save men from the punishment of sin, whereas its real design and object
is to deliver men FROM SIN."
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A
Defense of Christian Perfection
Daniel
Steele
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Published
in 1896, this book is Daniel Steele's criticism of a book titled Growth
in Holiness Toward Perfection written by Dr. James Mudge. The
Methodist Episcopal Church was undergoing theological changes at this
time, departing from its Wesleyan-Arminian roots, Steele defends the
traditional view of Christian perfection long held by Methodism and
passed on to the new Holiness Movement in the United States.
This
is a good read and valuable lessons can be learned from Dr. Steele's
work as present day holiness churches are fighting the same battle Dr.
Steele fought over one hundred years earlier. Sadly, the Methodist
Church lost the battle in favor of modernism; let's pray that holiness
people will not follow in its steps.
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The
Call To Christian Perfection
Samuel
Chadwick
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The
term "Christian Perfection" is grossly misunderstood, even by
many in the Holiness Movement. Chadwick presents a practical and
understandable explanation in this short book.
The
doctrine and experience have been neglected and people have become
comfortable with a lesser experience with God and a lower definition of
salvation. It is possible to be evangelical without be evangelistic.
There are thousands in the churches who have not so much as heard of
Perfect Love as a present possession.
"He
works in us that which He wills to do for us. He works in us to will His
will and to do His good pleasure. The end of it all is that we so live
as to be well-pleasing in His sight. That is Christian Perfection."
(Chapter 13)
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Biblical
Perfection
Peter
Wiseman
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No
word has been the occasion of so much stumbling and controversy among
Christians,” says Dr. Thomas Cook, “as this word ‘perfect.’ But
the term is a spiritual one and is used more frequently in the Bible than
any other single term to set forth Christian experience. It occurs one
hundred and thirty-eight times in the Scriptures, and in more than fifty
of these instances it refers to human character under the operation of
grace. . . . Forty-five times the Israelites are commanded to bring
sacrifices without blemish, and every time the word should have been
translated perfect. By such impressive symbols God would teach that the
heart of the offerer must be perfect before Him.
“Opening
the New Testament we find the word ‘perfect’ dropping from the lips of
Christ, and from the pen of Paul, seventeen times as descriptive of
fitness for the kingdom of God; while the cognate noun ‘perfect’ is
twice used, and the verb ‘to perfect’ fourteen times. Instead of
finding fault with a word which the Spirit of inspiration sees fit to use
with such persistency from Genesis to the Epistle of John, should we not
rather endeavor to arrive at its true Scriptural meaning.”
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Perfect
Love
J. A. Wood
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Written
in 1880, this book is a re-write of a book by the same title that Wood
wrote in 1860. "Our work has been to systematize, state more clearly,
make stronger, enlarge, and add other important items."
Wood
wrote this book in a catechetical form with 228 questions, each followed
by an answer. The content covers Biblical, practical, and historical
support and teaching on the topic of Perfect Love, which is the essence of
Christian Perfection.
His
last question is: 228. Will you relate your experience of regeneration,
and of entire sanctification." This is his personal testimony; it is
not unlike many present day testimonies on salvation from sin and holy
living through the power of God.
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The
Present Possession of Perfection in First John
Ora
D. Lovell
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This
is an excellent and brief analysis of the concept of perfection
presented in the First Epistle of John. Lovell shows that understanding
the grammar used by John is important for understanding the doctrine,
and once understood, it makes more than a compelling case for the truth
of perfection. The atonement provides both pardon for sins committed and
cleansing from sinful corruption. There is no such thing as growth into
holiness; there is only a transformation into holiness.
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On
To Perfection
Benjamin
Franklin Neely
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In
this sermon by Dr. Neely, he points out that absolute perfection exists
only in God. This is not Christian Perfection.
Christian
Perfection is a subject little understood but plainly spoken of in the
Holy Scriptures. It is a heart condition; a condition of perfect love
introduced to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Dr.
Neely presents the simple, biblical route to Christian Perfection.
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The
Idea of Perfection in Christian Theology
R.
Newton Flew
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This
is a scholarly work unlike other works that appear on this page. The
average reader may no appreciate everything that appears in its pages.
Flew
traces the the concept of perfection through Christian theology from the
teachings of Christ in the gospels through history to what were present
days in his time (1934). He is selective in his sources, so it is not
comprehensive in scope.
A
theme that is prominent throughout this survey is that perfection in
terms of Christianity is not limited sinlessness. It has taken many
forms over 2000 years of theology. Of vital interest to modern holiness
advocates is his presentation of the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle
Paul, and the Apostle John in the first four chapters.
It
may surprise some modern readers that the idea of Christian perfection
is not unique to modern Methodist-Holiness type churches, it has been
around a long time and in forms of Christianity with which we do not
associate holiness at all.
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