The Shorter Way

In their book, Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Theology, Matt Ayars, Chris Bounds, and Caleb Friedman share that, in the history of the Wesleyan movement, the doctrine of “entire sanctification” has been presented at various times in terms of a longer way (Wesley) a shorter way (Phoebe Palmer) and a “middle way.” These are the typical lengths of times these individuals pictured there being between coming to Christ and entire sanctification.

These theologians argue that the middle way is most typical. The idea of the middle way is that a person is not likely to attain “perfect love” immediately after coming to Christ, but one need not wait until just before death either. In the normal course of Christian maturation, one can come to love God and neighbor with all one knows of his or her heart in this lifetime.

Read the first chapter of Phoebe Palmer’s The Way of Holiness. This chapter is called, “Is There not a Shorter Way?” Now, identify someone to interview – probably someone who is acquainted with the doctrine of entire sanctification – someone whom you think might have an interesting perspective on the topic of “The Shorter Way.” Begin your interview by setting out the three options. Indicate that Wesley often thought only a few people would be sanctified and even then probably near their end of life. Then tell about how Phoebe Palmer almost singlehandedly led the holiness movement to a sense that one could be sanctified just moments after praying to be saved. Finally, describe the idea of a middle way. 

Ask the person to share their thoughts and experiences on this topic through the lens of these three ways. Write up their thoughts and your reflections in 300-600 words. Upload them to the course. This assignment is worth 30 points.