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Five
Views on Sanctification by Melvin E. Dieter, Anthony A. Hoekema,
Stanley M. Horton, J. Robertson McQuilkin, and John F. Walvoord.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1987. 254 pp.
Reviewed by Mike Sullivan
Sanctification is the process of
becoming more like Christ in our conduct and character. But how
does it occur? What disciplines, habits, and ways of thinking
and living do Christians need to cultivate to become "sanctified"?
In Five Views on Sanctification, Protestant theologians
explore these questions and share their understanding of how sanctification
occurs. Melvin Dieter summarizes the Wesleyan View, the Reformed
view is presented by Anthony Hoekema, Stanley Horton presents
the Pentecostal view, J. Robertson McQuilkin reviews the Keswick
position, and John Walvoord reviews the Augustinian-Dispensational
view.
A good systematic theologian exposes
readers to the opinions of a number of scholars on any important
issue. Five Views on Sanctification goes one step further
and allows the reader to listen in as theologians debate their
views on the role of the law, the ministry of the Holy Spirit,
the importance of spiritual experience, and other matters related
to Christian growth. Contributors begin each chapter by summarizing
and defending their understanding of sanctification. The other
authors are then given a chance to respond. The give-and-take
between each contributor allows the reader to hear the debate
from the proponents themselves.
It is difficult for one writer to
speak for an entire theological tradition. Opinions are not uniform
among those who call themselves Pentecostal, Wesleyan, Reformed,
etc.. As a result, the summaries provided in this book do not
always describe the perspective of individuals within a given
tradition. Hoekema, for example, parts from traditional reformed
theology in his interpretation of Rom. 7:13-25. Most reformed
theologians say the passage is about Paul's life as a Christian.
Hoekema says it describes Paul's life prior to conversion. Horton
does a better job introducing the reader to the differing views
held by Pentecostals. He carefully explains the different ways
holiness Pentecostals and members of the Assemblies of God pursue
Christian maturity. Then he admits his own preference for the
Assemblies of God approach and spends the rest of his essay explaining
the view of sanctification taught in their churches.
The contributors, with the exception
of Hoekema, are careful to place their theological perspective
in its historical context. Horton's account of the beginnings
of the Pentecostal movement in the U.S. is especially helpful
in this regard. His own grandparents became part of the Pentecostal
renewal in Los Angeles in 1906. From them he learned the specific
events and conversations that caused the Pentecostal movement
to later divide over the nature of sanctification. Dieter also
does a fine job of presenting the history of Wesleyanism. His
fellow contributor, J. Robinson McQuilkin praises his work by
saying, "Christians of all persuasions can be grateful to
Melvin Dieter for summarizing (Wesley's) doctrine of sanctification,
giving us a biblical exposition of selected themes that are central
to that theology and tracing the development of holiness teaching..."
(p. 53).
How will you benefit from reading
this book? It will help you understand the people and theological
currents that have shaped your current view of sanctification.
You will also learn the reasoning behind the practices and doctrinal
emphases visible in today's church. Best of all, as you listen
to the authors debate how to become more like Christ, you will
be challenged to think more deeply about how to live your life
in a way that is pleasing to Him.
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