Olivet Nazarene University Digital Commons @ Olivet Wesleyan Holiness Books University Archives 3-2015 An Existential Interpretation of the Doctrine of Holiness Mildred Bangs Wynkoop Olivet Nazarene University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/arch_wesleybk Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Wynkoop, Mildred Bangs, "An Existential Interpretation of the Doctrine of Holiness" (2015). Wesleyan Holiness Books. 3. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/arch_wesleybk/3 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wesleyan Holiness Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. EXISTENTIAL INTERPRETATION of the DOCTRINE of HOLINESS by Mildred Bangs Wynkoop, Th.D. Professor of Theology Western Evangelical Seminary Portland, Oregon All Rights Reserved ■JHBBHBBHf- Portland, Oregon 1958 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION.. ......................................... 1 P r e f a c e ....................................... 1 Preliminary Definitions ......................... 3 The Problem Stated and Defined ................... 17 WHO SAID SO? . .................................... 23 BIBLICAL PREACHING ........................... 2k Wesleyan Use of Scripture ..................... 23 Taking a Text ....................... 26 What Biblical Does Not M e a n ..................... 28 What Biblical Does Mean ................... 3U Experience and Interpretation ................... 36 Flexibility of Biblical Language ................. 39 Two Approaches to Exegesis . ........ ..... hi Holiness Theology and the Bible ................. U2 Interpretation and the Interpretor............... hh Problem of Theological Words . ................. kl Interpreting Theological Words ................... h8 Is the Bible Theology?.......................... 30 A PHILOSOPHY OF HOLINESS ......... ............. 33 In Defense of the Premise . ................... 37 The Meaning of Moral ..... ................... 39 Moral is Personal ............. 39 The Personal is Moral .................... 60 The Ought ...... ....... 61 The Two-foci Relationship............... 62 Moral is Structured by L o v e ......... 66 Crisis-Decision Tensions ................. 67 Moral Integrity and Redemption ....... 68 BY FAITH ......... 73 Faith or Works ................... 79 Faith and Works .................. 8l Faith is Moral - Obedience ............ 81; Maintaining Faith . „ ................... ..... 86 Faith and Holiness ................. 87 Faith is not Irrational ....................... 88 Faith is Moral - Love ........... 89 iii THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT .......................... 95 Old Testament Concept . ................. 97 Pre-Pentecostal Teaching ......................... 100 The Promise of the Father . ..................... 101 The Function of the Holy S p i r i t ................... 10U Post-Pentecost Teaching ....... ......... 106 Results of the Holy Spirit's Coming ........ 109 Signs of the Spirit's Indwelling .......... 112 Receiving the Holy Spirit ............. 113 The Test of His Presence .............. 119 THE THEOLOGY OF HOLINESS ................. 12i* Truth and Holiness ................. 125 Perfection ..................... 132 Perfectionism ................... 132 Biblical Perfection ................ 135 Cleansing ..................... 150 Sanctification 161 Sanctification in the Old Testament ................172 New Testament use of "Sanctification".............. 173 Peculiarities in the Use of the W o r d ........... 192 Holiness Preaching in the New Testament ...... 19U Observations regarding Sanctification ....... 198 The Use of the Term, Sanctification ........ 205 SIN ........................... 211 A Biblical Study of Sin ......... 219 Jesus' Estimate of Human Nature ................. 223 Paul's Understanding of Human Nature and Sin .... 228 Personal Analysis of Sin .............. 253 Eradication .......... ................. 257 THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HOUNESS ................ 265 States of Grace .................. 267 Human Personality ................. 270 Grace and Human Freedom ......... 275 Why "Second"? ................... 285 THE PREACHING OF HOLINESS ................. 300 The Crisis Points ................. 303 Conclusions .................... 305 My Controversy with Christ ............. 306 INTRODUCTION Preface The purpose of this book is three-fold. First, to analyze and evaluate the status of the "holiness" message today. In this analysis the problems raised by the preaching of holiness will be faced squarely. Then, a fresh examination of the Scriptures will be attempted upon which the holiness message is based. Finally, a constructive theological statement will be proposed in which, it is hoped, some of the most ser­ ious questions will find a satisfactory answer. This is not a book for the scholar primarily though it is hoped he will find it worth his time to examine either to approve, or, pref­ erably to be challenged to a more adequate work in this field. It is first of all a study for the thoughtful and questioning minister and lay­ men of whom there are so many, who, desirous of maintaining theological loyalty are beset by problems raised by the preaching of holiness. Many of our most gifted young people have felt that intellectual honesty required their withdrawal from the "holiness ranks", however emotionally reluctant they may have been, because of insurmountable rational problems. It is the conviction of the author that many of these problems have acceptable solutions. It is, also, a study undertaken in the interest of a more effective and dynamic presentation of the holiness message to this generation. We have lived in that message, breathed it, eaten it, slept through it, cut our teeth on it, received it, doubted it, analyzed it, put our faith in it, loved, preached and taught it for all the years appropriate to these things. When personal reactions have been exhausted and the vicarious 2 reactions of all sorts of persons have been added, it is felt that if familiarity qualifies one to speak about a matter, at least we are qualified in that respect. Fortunately paradox has become respectable. In most responsible thinking, two or more rather widely divergent ideas must be accepted and in some measure brought into a harmony that does not violate the integrity of either truth. There is paradox in holiness preaching and also in the experience of the analyst who attempts to commend the doc­ trine. The tension between a morally transforming personal religious experience and the tremendous intellectual problems involved in it, keeps the author facinated, fearful, prayerful and restless. That tension echoes the paradox between doctrine and living experience. Paradox and tension exist in all living situations. These are not things to be deplored. Creativity can only thrive in tension. The abortive demand for pre-mature intellectual peace is death to thinking. We are not attempting to solve difficulties but to restore them so that in the wholesome contest between doctrine and life, dynamic and pro­ ductive and sanctified Christian activity may thrive and expand. Perhaps, we had better explain this. Committed as deeply as the author is to that which the doctrine of holiness means to life, there is the most painful concern growing daily in respect of the limited hearing which the doctrine receives. We do not share the opinion of some that the holiness people have all the truth, even all the truth about holiness. We do feel that the doctrine of a "Deeper Spiritual Life", or "The Life Hid with Christ in God", or whatever name one pre*- fers, is more adequately delineated by holiness doctrine. But "The Life" itself is shared by Christians in every tradition. Hence, the 3 question, Why are we not better heard? More serious yet is the fact of a growing spiritual indifference among holiness people. Perhaps others also struggle against the weight of dis-interest but, to us, who, filled with the Holy Spirit presumably, ought to be the example of the world's solution to indifference, the lack is of particular seriousness. In a word, the problem seems to resolve itself into a statement such as this, the doctrine of holiness has not made adequate provision for the human element in life. The paradox between theory and life has been too easily solved and the tension relaxed so that the normal and desirable ability to recognize problems and grapple with difficulties has been relegated to other areas of life and the religious life left all but isolated from reality. That holiness teaching recognizes the life problem is not denied, but only that the doctrinal provision of it is missing. This is a harsh, bald statement but proposed here to stimulate thinking and to provide a piece de resistance with which to engage the reader and the author. This statement may not be true, but it has served to plunge the author into a fresh examination of the Scriptures. What does the Bible say about holiness? Does it resolve all tension? Can the Scriptures speak to our delemma? Is there a directive for practical problems? The study will first analyze the problem, as we see it. That is, where is the problem and why is it a problem? It is necessary before examining