Kewsick View of Progressive Sanctification: Spirit-filled or Victorious? (Series on Sanctification Part Six)

Keswick View of Progressive Sanctification: Spirit-Filled or Victorious?  
(Series on Sanctification Part Six)

Series Part One          Series Part Two          Series Part Three      Series Part Four

Evangelical Christianity begins with what the Bible calls salvation.  The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the new position is that of a "saint."  This is how Paul's epistles (letters) address his readers.  Living, breathing, walking people with a new status in God's sight.  How then are they to live?  Do they just sit in this position and do nothing?  Does the scripture actually teach our only role is to keep reminding ourselves of what Christ did for us in the past?  Are we absolved of any personal responsibility to grow?  Do we resort to name calling if others don't share our form or practice we do (think: new evangelical, legalist, antinomian, or fundamentalist)?

Here is where we turn our attention.  How do we live?  There is a vast gap for most of us between when we became a Christian and when we each meet the Lord (either via death or eschatological position).  The previous article focused on the standard Wesleyan view of progressive sanctification.  This article will focus on what is the typical pattern of progressive sanctification found with Keswick theology.

Again a chart may be helpful in providing a picture of what is happening (See previous article for possible diagram sources).

Now to add some words of explanation to the above chart and some texts of scripture used by its advocates to teach this position.  I leave it up to you the reader to determine the merits of this particular system of progressive sanctification.  Please remember this is the general pattern not the catch all to every person holding to this position.

First, if you will note as in the previous article, growth or progressive sanctification begins at the cross (think: temporal moment of salvation, faith and repentance).  The new Christian is described as "non Spirit-filled" and/or "defeated."  So in this system of thinking you can be a Christian but living in a defeated position.  I assume this also is defining a Christian who is not filled with the Spirit.  Carefully pay attention to the fact that this new believer is also identified as a "carnal man."  I also assume that a believer will stay in this status (not sure of what growth can occur here) until the next stage of sanctification: crisis.

Second, see that the status or positional change does not change till this crisis.  This crisis is also defined as a consecration event .  Many also identify this crisis event as surrendering.  Please see the identification that this crisis point is when the carnal/non Spirit-filled and defeated carnal believer actually "lets go."  This implies before this chronological act following salvation a believer is not surrendered to God and is living in a state of defeat and carnality.  Not that once a crisis decision is made there are still arrows going up and down after this act of consecration.  This crisis event can occur in any number of venues: "revival" meetings, summer camps, rallies, etc....

Consider some of the following questions concerning this diagram (and how it reflects Christianity lived).  Whether it fits the best possible exegetical understanding of proof texts is another question.

1)  Is there any evidence in scripture that all believers are filled with the Spirit?  Are there any believers in the NT who are not Spirit-filled?

2)  How can we best explain the descriptions of believers in the book of Acts who are said to be "filled with Spirit"?

3)  How do we describe believers before Pentecost (Acts 2)?

4)  Note the descriptions in 1 Cor 2-3.  Is Paul addressing different types of believers or  believers behaving like unbelievers?  Again, what does it mean to be identified as "carnal" or "fleshly"?  Also taking into account the context of each.

5) Again how does Rom 12 fit into this system?  Rom 7-8 "flesh/law" and "Spirit."  An unbeliever?  A disobedient believer?  A mature believers wrestling with sin?  flesh?

These are only some suggestions in addressing this theological position describing the process of progressive sanctification.  There are other positions yet to come and to be discussed.

Hope this helps some.