Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 203

2. It is the logical implication of what happens when an all powerful God sets his Spirit to work against sin in our lives. 3. It seems to be frequently assumed by Scripture to be what happens in the life of the believer. 4. Romans 7 – This passage is understood as describing Paul’s experience before conversion. D. Most important historical proponent: John Wesley (who learned from the Puritan writer William Law) E. Key Document: “A Plain Account of Christian Perfection.” Wesley’s key concern was to avoid conceding the possibility of perfection because he felt it impugned God’s nature and power. (Don’t say that God cannot or will not do what he clearly desires). It is an issue of faith for Wesley. Even if he had never seen this happen he would still believe in God’s ability to accomplish his desire for our holiness.

IV. Putting it together: theological common ground and key implications What Reformed and Holiness Christians agree on: A. Sanctification is becoming like Christ and is the aim of the

Christian life. [Scripture teaches us that this [holiness] is the goal of our calling- John Calvin, “Institutes of the Christian Religion]. B. Sanctification begins at the moment of salvation and faith is its sole condition (Doctrinal Minutes of the Methodist Conferences 1744-47). C. Sanctification is both imputed and imparted and comes only by the grace of God. D. Sanctification involves both a unique point of decision 1 and an on going process of living out that decision.

1 For Reformed theology this point is conversion; for Holiness theologies it is conversion and a second experience of grace with the Holy Spirit.