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The Doctrine of Sanctification
▶ DESCRIPTION
Even a superficial examination of the Scriptures will reveal that holiness is the opposite of sin, yet the realization of this at once conducts us into the realm of mystery, for how can persons be sinful and holy at one and the same time? It is this difficulty which so deeply exercises the true saints: they perceive in themselves so much carnality, filth, and vileness, that they find it almost impossible to believe that they are holy. Nor is the difficulty solved here, as it was in justification, by saying, Though we are completely unholy in ourselves, we are holy in Christ. We must not here anticipate the ground which we hope to cover, except to say, the Word of God clearly teaches that those who have been sanctified by God are holy in themselves. The Lord graciously prepare our hearts for what is to follow.
▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Its Meaning
3. Its Necessity
4. Its Problems
5. Its Solution
6. Its Nature
7. Its Author
8. Its Procurer
9. It Securer
10. Its Rule
11. Its Instrument
12. Other Books
▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.
Even a superficial examination of the Scriptures will reveal that holiness is the opposite of sin, yet the realization of this at once conducts us into the realm of mystery, for how can persons be sinful and holy at one and the same time? It is this difficulty which so deeply exercises the true saints: they perceive in themselves so much carnality, filth, and vileness, that they find it almost impossible to believe that they are holy. Nor is the difficulty solved here, as it was in justification, by saying, Though we are completely unholy in ourselves, we are holy in Christ. We must not here anticipate the ground which we hope to cover, except to say, the Word of God clearly teaches that those who have been sanctified by God are holy in themselves. The Lord graciously prepare our hearts for what is to follow.
▶ CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Its Meaning
3. Its Necessity
4. Its Problems
5. Its Solution
6. Its Nature
7. Its Author
8. Its Procurer
9. It Securer
10. Its Rule
11. Its Instrument
12. Other Books
▶ AUTHOR
Arthur W. Pink was born in Nottingham England in 1886, and born again of the Spirit of God in 1908 at the age of 22. He studied at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, USA, for only six weeks before beginning his pastoral work in Colorado. From there he pastored churches in California, Kentucky, and South Carolina, before moving to Sydney Australia for a brief period, preaching and teaching. In 1934, at 48 years old, he returned to his native England. He took permanent residence in Lewis, Scotland, in 1940, remaining there 12 years until his death at age 66 in 1952.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 1999
94 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Arthur W. Pink
628 books304 followersArthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.
In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.
In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.
After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 9, 2024
A deep dive into a Biblical view of sanctification. Pink is at his best here. He unpacks Scripture after scripture to give the reader a complete view of the doctrine of sanctification, particularly contrasting it with common errors of the day (namely, the "Higher Life" movement). He is laser-focused on Christ and crystal clear in his exposition and encouragement to the believers of the objective nature of sanctification in Him and by Him. I really enjoyed his unpacking of how sanctification is accomplished through the Trinity and Pink spends extensive ink writing about how each member of the Trinity has a role in the believers sanctification.
If there is any small critique I have, there are a few moments where Pink's individualism shine through in his writing, alluding that perhaps the believers don't need each other to grow, but just themselves, the Spirit and the Bible. So, I wish he would have spent more time unpacking how sanctification is encouraged through the communion of Christ's body, the church. Sadly, this view reflects how he finished his life, in isolation from the church, writing letters and articles for the church.
That aside, you won't find a much better thorough Biblical explanation of Sanctification anywhere else. I will be referencing this one for a long time anytime I am reflecting on sanctification or talking about it with other believers.
"The great mistake made by most of the Lord's people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone."
"There are no degrees and can be no 'progress' In this sanctification: an unconverted person is absolutely unholy, and a converted person dire God as the re is absolutely holy. God's standard of holiness is not what the is shoulders and Christian becomes by virtue of the Spirit's work in us herer the what Christ is as seated at his own right hand."
If there is any small critique I have, there are a few moments where Pink's individualism shine through in his writing, alluding that perhaps the believers don't need each other to grow, but just themselves, the Spirit and the Bible. So, I wish he would have spent more time unpacking how sanctification is encouraged through the communion of Christ's body, the church. Sadly, this view reflects how he finished his life, in isolation from the church, writing letters and articles for the church.
That aside, you won't find a much better thorough Biblical explanation of Sanctification anywhere else. I will be referencing this one for a long time anytime I am reflecting on sanctification or talking about it with other believers.
"The great mistake made by most of the Lord's people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone."
"There are no degrees and can be no 'progress' In this sanctification: an unconverted person is absolutely unholy, and a converted person dire God as the re is absolutely holy. God's standard of holiness is not what the is shoulders and Christian becomes by virtue of the Spirit's work in us herer the what Christ is as seated at his own right hand."
October 1, 2022
Arthur W. Pink was born in England in 1886. He found the Lord at the age of 22 and attended Moody Bible Institute in the United States for only 6 weeks. From there he pastored churches around the United States before moving to Australia, and then back to England. For many years he edited a Christian magazine and did much of his writing. Those writings were consolidated and became this book.
Pink was mostly unknown and unappreciated during his time. He promoted Puritan thought and reformed ideas that were not popular during his time.
This is not an easy read! The style and grammar require some effort to follow. However, it is well written and very good teaching for those ready to dig deep into sanctification! The chapters are loaded with scriptural references and germane Biblical verses. It answered many of my questions and then raised more questions to consider. It will have a place on my shelves for as long as I live!
Pink was mostly unknown and unappreciated during his time. He promoted Puritan thought and reformed ideas that were not popular during his time.
This is not an easy read! The style and grammar require some effort to follow. However, it is well written and very good teaching for those ready to dig deep into sanctification! The chapters are loaded with scriptural references and germane Biblical verses. It answered many of my questions and then raised more questions to consider. It will have a place on my shelves for as long as I live!
May 10, 2020
How does God work in growing believers? Can we expect to be holy in this life? Why do we still sin? What do we do about it? Can we do anything about it? This book helped me answer many of these questions by pointing to Scripture, addressing common errors and speaking with warmth to the Christian reader.
April 11, 2023
Overall an OK read and covers the subject matter well.
I found it hard to read in places and the structure felt a little constrained. However, I did get some good bits from it, the encouragement in latter chapters to rest on faith when we feel tried is an encouraging balm.
I found it hard to read in places and the structure felt a little constrained. However, I did get some good bits from it, the encouragement in latter chapters to rest on faith when we feel tried is an encouraging balm.
September 22, 2020
This book is direct in Sanctification. It's not an easy read.
August 1, 2021
I love this book. It is well written, biblically balanced and very thorough. Highly recommended.
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August 30, 2012This was a tough book! I decided to keep reading it in hopes that there would be little nuggets that I could take, and I wasn't disappointed. It is heavy reading, maybe that is because it was written in the early 1900's. They used a different vocabulary than we do and they also didn't write so that it flowed...We like flowing prose. I'm glad I read it. I should read it again in the hopes that I can get even more out of it...but I don't know that I will.
November 25, 2010
Amazing writer. Pink's breakdown of the differences and relationship between justification (legal change) and sanctification (moral change) was as clear and concise as anything I have ever read. Pages are loaded with Scriptural references and his insight is remarkable. A true treasure.
January 5, 2013
Very good teaching. A little bit of a tough read though.
August 8, 2013
I taught through this book at one point. There are better books out there that are more explosive.
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August 9, 2014Every believer should read this book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews