Discovering Christian Holiness : The Heart of Wesleyan-Holiness Theology

by Leclerc, Diane

• ISBN13: 9780834124691
• ISBN10: 0834124696
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-09-30
• Publisher: The Foundry Publishing

Summary

Is Wesleyan-Holiness theology still relevant for the twenty-first century? Does Wesleyan-Holiness theology-as a vital, experiential, living and breathing theology-still exist? This study of the doctrine of Holiness examines its biblical, historical, and theological foundations, as well as the importance of the holiness life in the twenty-first century. Written with solid biblical evidence and historical insight, Discovering Christian Holiness will supply you with an understanding and awareness of holiness and its breadth, depth, and practicality.

Author Biography

Diane Leclerc is professor of historical theology at Northwest Nazarene University. She received her PhD from Drew University. Diane is the author of two books, including I Am Not Ashamed: Sermons by Wesleyan-Holiness Women, as well as many articles and chapters for various journals, anthologies, and compilations. She is a former pastor and a past president of the Wesleyan Theological Society. She lives in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their son.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 9
Foreword	p. 11
Introduction	p. 15
Biblical Holiness	p. 31
How to Read the Bible as a Wesleyan	p. 33
Methodological Questions	p. 35
Guiding Principles of a Wesleyan Way to Read Scripture	p. 40
Wesley's Analogy of Faith	p. 45
The Whole Holy Tenor of Scripture	p. 51
Old Testament Images of Holiness	p. 52
New Testament Images of Holiness	p. 63
Holiness History	p. 75
Holiness in History: Late Antiquity to 1700	p. 77
The Patristic Period	p. 78
The Medieval Period to Wesley	p. 98
Holiness in History: 1703-2000	p. 105
John Wesley	p. 106
Post-Wesley British Methodism	p. 107
18th-and 19th-Century American Methodism	p. 111
19th-Century Holiness Movement: A New Kind of Calvinism	p. 117
The American Holiness Movement: The Methodist "Come-Outers" of the Later 19th Century	p. 119
The Holiness Movement in Other Parts of the World	p. 123
20th-Century Holiness Theology	p. 124
Holiness Theology for Today	p. 133
The Holy God	p. 135
The Holiness of God	p. 136
The Servanthood of the Son	p. 142
The Presence of the Spirit	p. 147
Created and Fallen Humanity	p. 155
Humanity	p. 156
Sin	p. 160
Full Salvation	p. 173
Salvation	p. 174
Sanctification	p. 178
The Structure of an Experience	p. 184
The Effects of Entire Sanctification	p. 186
Excursus: "What If I've Always Been a Christian?"	p. 190
Holy Living for a New Century	p. 193
Holiness as Purity	p. 195
Defining Morality	p. 196
Purifying Grace	p. 202
Obedience	p. 206
Excursus: Embodied Holiness and Holy Sexuality	p. 212
Holiness as Perfection	p. 217
Christian Perfection Clearly Defined	p. 218
What Christian Perfection Is Not	p. 224
The Ethics of Love	p. 230
"Shall We Drop It or Make a Point of It?"	p. 234
Holiness as Power	p. 237
Power for Victory over Sin: Life in the Spirit	p. 239
The Power of Selfhood: A Holiness View of Self-Denial	p. 241
Power When Life Goes Wrong: "Power Perfected in Weakness"	p. 244
Holiness as Character	p. 255
Virtue Ethics	p. 256
Wesley's Moral Psychology	p. 258
Character Development and Christian Perfection	p. 260
Connecting the Means to the End	p. 262
Character in a Postmodern World	p. 270
Holiness as Love	p. 273
Love at the Center	p. 274
God First Loved Us	p. 279
Love as Entire Devotion to God	p. 281
Conclusion	p. 284
Notes	p. 289
Glossary	p. 308
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.