A Presentation of Perfection

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THEAGESDIGITAL LIBRARY

THEOLOGY/HISTORY

A PRESENTATION

OF PERFECTIONby Mark S. F. Eckart

B o o k s Fo r Th e A g e sAGES Software Albany, OR USA

Electronic Version 1.0 1997

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A PRESENTATION OF

PERFECTIONAN HISTORICAL LOOK AT SANCTIFICATION IN THE

AMERICAN HOLINESS MOVEMENT AND

SPECIFICALLY IN THE GODS REVIVALIST

DEDICATION

Dedicated ToTwo Significant Ladies In My Life:

My Loving Wife (Debbie)And

My Godly Mother (Ella)

Text Copyright 1993, Mark Eckart

Reprinted by PermissionAll Rights Reserved

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER1 INTRODUCTIONStatement of Research Problems

Assumptions

Limitations

Definition

Research Procedure

Outcomes

CHAPTER2 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Martin Wells Knapp, 1900-1901, Gods Bible School

Knapp, Queen, and Story, 1901-1911

Meredith G. Standley, 1911-1950

Lloyd R. Day, 1950-1961

Elmer G. Marsh, 1961-1965

Samuel E. Deets, 1965-1975

Bence C. Miller, 1975-PresentSchool Personnel

TheGods Revivalist

THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT IN AMERICA

Methodist Foundations

Holiness Revival

Holiness Movement

Conservative Holiness Movement

Gods Bible School and the Holiness Movement

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CHAPTER3DOCTRINAL CONTEXT

Revival of Holiness

Holiness Scholars

Summary

CHAPTER4METHODOLOGY

Criteria for Article Selection

Interpretive Theological Data

Description of Theological Categories

Adequacy of Theological Grid as Analytic Tool

Gods Bible Schools Creedal Statement

Analysis of Behavioral and Appearance Stance

Sequence of Analysis

CHAPTER5 DATA

An Analysis Of Gods Bible SchoolsHoliness Creedal Statement

1906-1910

1930-1934

1956-1960

1980-1984

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CHAPTER6 INTERPRETATION

Pentecostal-Substantive/1906-1910

Christological-Substantive/1906-1910Pentecostal-Substantive/1930-1934

Christological-Substantive/1930-1934

Pentecostal-Substantive/1956-1960

Christological-Substantive/1956-1960

Pentecostal-Substantive/1980-1984

Christological-Substantive/1980-1984

Significant Shifts and Emphasis

CHAPTER7 CONCLUSION

APPENDIX

A. Holiness Theological Grid

B. Holiness Classification Scheme

C. Article Classification Scheme

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PREFACE

This book came about as a result of the dissertation I did for my doctoralstudies. It was interesting and insightful to study historically about thedoctrine of entire sanctification.

As the book title suggests, this study is comprehensive in that I researchedthe development of the doctrine of sanctification from the time thatMethodism started in America. This manuscript is also specific in that Istudied twenty years of articles in theGods Revivalistconcerningsanctification. The years examined were 1906-1910, 1930-1934, 1956-1960, 1980-1984. Men like Martin Wells Knapp, A. M. Hills, OswaldChambers, Samuel Brengle, E. E. Shelhammer, T. M. Anderson, LeslieWilcox, and H. E. Schmul gave some interesting truths concerning this greatdoctrine of holiness.

I have endeavored to change some of the language, so this book is not as

technical as the dissertation. My prayer is that this book will help peopleto better understand the holiness doctrine; but, more importantly, thatthey may come to know the Holy Spirit in His fullness. In other words, tobe entirely sanctified!

Mark S. F. Eckart

Cincinnati, Ohio

J uly 1993

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The American holiness movement arose in a renewal of interest in theWesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification among North AmericanMethodists which spread beyond denominational structure, to includenumerous Christians concerned with social reform and personal piety.1

Since the late 19th century, a number of denominations, fellowships,connections, schools and colleges, mission organizations, and publicationshave been created to proclaim and present the movements distinctivemessage of entire sanctification. Gods Bible School and the serialpublicationGods Revivalist are examples of these entities established touphold and promote the doctrine of entire sanctification.2

Gods Bible School was started in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1900 by MartinWells Knapp, a Methodist minister. Affectionately referred to as GBS, theSchool was among the first Bible schools founded in the United States.The original curriculum was a short diploma course of Bible and ministerialpractice. By 1936 the curriculum had developed into a regular four-yearcollegiate course. In 1986 Gods Bible School became an accreditedmember of the American Association of Bible Colleges. In addition to its

collegiate program the School since 1922 has operated a state-certified highschool and for several years has also offered a non-college creditcorrespondence program.

The official statement of institutional goals and objectives incorporatesthese various instructional programs with a ministry of publishing. Thestatement reads:

The aim of Gods Bible School, College and Missionary TrainingHome is to operate a Bible college, Christian high school, and non-collegiate correspondence course as parts of a holiness institution.It also aims to continue to publish high-quality holiness literaturein the traditions of theGods Revivalist and Bible Advocate. Thepurpose of the School includes maintaining and enlarging a

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constituency through the periodical Gods Revivalist and BibleAdvocate,which has been published since 1888.3

This statement clearly indicates the function and importance of theGods

Revivalistto the School. While the periodical was begun before the Schoolstarted, it has been the public voice of the School since 1900.

The School is interdenominational, but its creedal statement reflects itscommitment to the Wesleyan-Arminian theological position with a firmallegiance to the doctrine of entire sanctification. The spiritual heritage andcommitment of Gods Bible School is evident in all aspects of its

educational programs and regulates much of the Schools social life. Sincethe School is interdenominational, theGods Revivalist is the means bywhich ties are maintained between the School and its constituency. Therelationship of holiness doctrine, especially entire sanctification, to theimage of the School and the role of theGods Revivalist in communicatingthat image make the presentation of entire sanctification in theGodsRevivalistan important issue to study. Although theGods Revivalist has

been published for more than one hundred years, its presentation of thedoctrine of entire sanctification has not received a systematic examination.Therefore, a study of articles concerning entire sanctification in theGodsRevivalistcan provide a perspective to understand:

(1) the development of the doctrine of entire sanctification within theholiness movement, and

(2) the relationship between explication of the doctrine and the life ofGods Bible School. This project was designed and conducted toexplore these issues.

STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS

The first research problem is: To what degree has the doctrine of entiresanctification as expressed in articles in theGods Revivalistchangedtheologically during the period 1900-1990. The null hypothesis for thisproblem is: No significant theological change has taken place in thedoctrine of entire sanctification as appearing in theGods Revivalist.

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The second research problem is: To what degree has the governance, fiscal,and educational condition of Gods Bible School contributed to theexposition of the doctrine of entire sanctification in theGods Revivalist. Itis hypothesized that the condition of the School has had no materialinfluence on the exposition of the doctrine.

ASSUMPTIONS

In this study there were also three assumptions that needed to be stated.

The first assumption was that the doctrine of entire sanctification is

central to the mission and image of Gods Bible School andGodsRevivalist.

The second assumption was that theGods Revivalist is significant todeveloping and maintaining the continued existence of Gods Bible School.The constituency base for the College consists largely of the subscribers totheGods Revivalist. In fact, without the funds raised through theGodsRevivalistthe School could not exist, as a large portion of the budget is

raised annually through the Gods Revivalist.

The third assumption was that all Gods Revivalistarticles concerningentire sanctification have the approval of the editor and represent theSchools officially sanctioned views of entire sanctification.

LIMITATIONS

To help set out the perimeters for this study, there are at least twolimitations.

First, as the preface of this project suggests, only four segments from theGods Revivalistwere studied. Specific years that were examined are 1906-1910, 1931-1934, 1956-1960, and 1980-1984. It is possible that significantchanges occurred in years not examined in this study.

Secondly, the articles were evaluated in view of the doctrinal statementabout holiness that Gods Bible School adheres to today. Howev