Perfect Love: Recovering Entire Sanctification—The Lost Power of the Methodist Movement

by Kevin M. Watson

Perfect Recovering Entire Sanctification?The Lost Power of the Methodist Movement is a wake-up call to the people called Methodists. According to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, God raised up Methodism in order to spread the central teaching of entire sanctification. The church has offered an unbalanced understanding of the gospel for too long. The promise of forgiveness and pardon through faith in Jesus Christ has been emphasized in many parts of the body of Christ. Initial conversion and new birth are good news indeed! But they are also just the beginning of the life that is promised to us in the Bible. Jesus came not only so that we could be forgiven, but so that we could have life abundantly.
This book calls all Methodists?the spiritual descendants of the Wesleyan revival, regardless of contemporary denominational expression?back to who we have been at our best, in times when we have been a growing, vibrant, and Spirit-filled movement. It is time to retrieve Methodism?s lost treasure, the doctrine of entire sanctification. This doctrine speaks to the radical optimism that through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can move from struggling to survive as Christians to thriving! Perfect Love provides an in-depth explanation of entire sanctification and helps readers pursue all that God has for us.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church

196 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Cale Manley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A perspective on entire sanctification based on John Wesley's understanding and the experiences of the early Methodists. The author is passionate and devoted to recovering this lost doctrine. I was surprised that the author admitted that he himself has not experienced entire sanctification. I found the book very interesting and parts of it convincing; however, I was left feeling that the author's expectations of entire sanctification are idealistic.

[Richard Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! This book challenged me right where God needed to challenge me. The book reinforced what I knew to be true but needed to live out fully. All Methodists, anyone from a Wesleyan background, and all Christians can learn a great deal from Watson's book. I encourage you to read it today!

[Nathan Marone]

There are two things here. First, the doctrine of entire sanctification itself. Second, the presentation of the doctrine.

Kevin Watson does a good job of presentation. The doctrine is clearly presented and defined. Watson is winsome and easy to read. I was especially fond of his presentation of the doctrine in the history of Methodism. So, if you're looking for a good introduction to Wesleyan-Methodist thinking on entire sanctification, Perfect Love is a good place to start.

On the doctrine, Watson's book seemed to confirm and even exacerbate some of my own frustrations with entire sanctification. In particular, the emphasis on a second experience is untenable. If Wesleyan notions of sanctification were pressing people to feel from sin, fully devote themselves to God, and to become a living sacrifice, I'd have no qualm. All of these things seem apparent and obvious from even a cursory study of scripture. But the notion of a second experience is not as apparent. The main exception would be the book of Acts, which describes the Holy Spirit coming on believers. The key is that it describes, not prescribes. In other words, while there may be a second experience to be had, the New Testament does not instruct its readers to strive after an experience. The great irony of Watson's book is that in his chapter on scriptural foundations, he never once points to anything in Acts!

It is true that Christians can be lazy, culturally oriented, and stagnant. It's true that the churches have probably had a huge hand in this through the preaching and teaching a Christian life that doesn't really require standards or accountability. But I don't think the answer is to seek after a second experience. We do not need to look for a moment in time.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a member of two different Methodist churches for a combined total of nearly 28 years, and yet have never heard a solid sermon or in-depth teaching on Methodism's "grand depositum:" entire sanctification. This unique doctrine was developed by John Wesley over 200 years ago, and it has influenced millions of believers, and undergirded multiple Christian Denominations around the world.

Yet today, it seems to be a bit of theology Wesley's current descendants would prefer to run from, as if Mr. Wesley was the crazy uncle one must put up with at family gatherings.

Kevin Watson, the author of Perfect Love, disagrees with most Methodists. He doesn't think Mr. Wesley is odd at all. Rather, he thinks John Wesley deserves the seat at the head of the table and the rest of us should pay more attention to him. After reading this book, I'm inclined to agree.

Entire Sanctification is the doctrine that says God has more for us than simply "justification ;" which is cleansing us from sin through the work of the Cross -- Jesus' suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Entire Sanctification says those who have been justified can also be made completely HOLY (entirely sanctified), in this life, here on earth -- and remain so -- through God's indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

This book explains how sanctification is actually possible. Watson explains the history of the doctrine, shares many testimonies of those who have experienced sanctification, and importantly, what sanctification is, and what it is NOT.

Watsons style is quite readable, understandable, and intuitive. Every time I had a question, within a page or two, he answered it. He offers discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which makes this book useful for small groups, Bible Studies etc. He also provides several appendices which include sermons by John Wesley about Sanctification, as well as present-day statements from various Wesley-based Denominations proving that they claim to believe in Entire Sanctification. Whether all of them live this out, I do not know, but they are on record as claiming it as valid.

I encourage anyone who is a spiritual heir of John Wesley to read this book. You will be encouraged to seek and find what God has for you.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I finally finished the appendices of the book so I could truthfully say I have completed it. 😊 This little book is an excellent little primer on beginning to understand the doctrine of “entire sanctification” the “grand depositum” of the Methodist movement. Truthfully, though what was most meaningful to me was to re-read the sermons of John Wesley after reading Kevin Watson’s review of the doctrine. Wesley’s sermons were then easier to comprehend and understand. What I found most intriguing was the contrast between Wesley’s preaching emphasis in “The Scripture Way of Salvation” and some of the doctrinal statements of faith – particularly the Nazarenes. In his sermon, Wesley says, “And by this token you may surely know whether you seek it by faith or by works. If by works, you want something to be done first, before you are sanctified. You think, I must first be or do this or that. Then you are seeking it by works unto this day. If you seek it by faith, you may expect it as you are; and expect it now. It is of importance to observe, that there is an inseparable connection between these three points: expect it by faith; expect it as you are; and expect it now! To deny one of them, is to deny them all; to allow one, is to allow them all.” By contrast, the Church of the Nazarene article 10 on “Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification” states, “Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.” Wesley’s emphasis is a saved obedient child trusting NOW by faith that God does the work. The Nazarene doctrinal statement implies that I must complete an entire consecration before I can receive the work of the Holy Spirit. This difference in emphasis can have a major impact on how one seeks after and receives the gift of entire sanctification. I think Wesley is spot on and it clarifies a lot for me. I am glad I was able to see these things juxtaposed in Kevin’s book against the backdrop of his explanations. I am grateful for the book and recommend it.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing both academically and accessibly, Watson makes a compelling case for the reclamation of the doctrine of entire sanctification by those in Methodist traditions. This is quite the 'doctrinal hot potato' even for those of us who base our theology on Wesleyan roots and I am glad that Watson was not afraid to pick this up and turn this over and look at it and wonder what we have lost and what we have to gain by a renewed commitment to closing the 'sanctification gap' that exists in our practice, if not our doctrine. I found his Scriptural case compelling, even if at times I feel that Wesley's own defense of it is not some of his strongest work. I do appreciate how Watson included both the sermons "On Christian Perfection AND "The Scripture Way of Salvation" as I believe holding these two sermons in tension gives the best picture of what Wesley was truly after. I also loved the line about Christian perfection being the experience of "giving all I know of me to all that I know of God" with the knowledge that this will grow and change on the way of Christian maturity. My problem with Christian perfection is not been questioning it's reality (which I do think is possible and Scriptural) but the necessity and value of 'claiming it'. I'm not sure Watson fully addressed my concerns on that front, but this is a definite read for any lay person in a Wesleyan tradition interested in exploring this topic further and thinking about the ramifications for the Methodist movement because I do agree with Watson that we avoid this issue at the peril of our spiritual vitality.

[Timothy Klob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good insights into the Methodist/Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification with which I was otherwise unfamiliar. I am more familiar with Wesley's theology and desire for Christian perfection during his early ministry as opposed to thereafter, and was surprised to see how many of his strict pietistic practices from his early life carried forward into these later doctrinal developments. Parts of this book read more like a workbook, which it appears to be to some degree rather than a text, and appears to be focused toward small group discussion. While the discussion of the doctrine of entire sanctification was thorough, there were also parts where it seemed to repeat the same concepts and material as opposed to developing it further. Helpful in understanding Wesleyan theology and how the other branches of the Holiness movement have applied the doctrine of entire sanctification and the concept of Christian perfection much further than traditional mainline Methodism.

[Brandon Charlton II · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good starter book on doctrine of sanctification. I think he talked too much about Methodism and not enough about sanctification itself. Would recommend for someone who is from a Wesleyan movement(chog Anderson, Wesleyan, Methodist, Nazarene, etc .) Wouldn’t necessarily recommend for someone outside the movement

[Douglas Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding view of sanctification in today's world

Kevin has provided us a review of sanctification that applies to the church, today. If we want to understand how to live in the world as sanctified Christians, Kevin provides John Wesley's understanding of sanctification that we can follow and provides direction to living in today's world as sanctified Christians.

[Sam Blades · Rating 4 out of 5]

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

— 1 Thess 5:23-24

[Joe Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and trustworthy writing on a foundational theological truth. Truly, a clarion call to those responsible for proclamation of Biblical doctrine. Highly recommended.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Watson has written an excellent and perhaps the most important book on entire sanctification authored in decades. This book doesn’t just attempt to impart information, though it imparts a lot of information. This book is transformational. This book would be an excellent choice to introduce both the doctrine of entire sanctification and class or band meetings. Watson gives a historical and biblical basis for the doctrine. He takes two chapters to examine what entire sanctification is and is not. This is a must-read book, and there aren’t many of those.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those interested in studying the doctrine of Perfect Love/Entire Sanctification then this is a good point to start! It goes over the history well, gives some examples, lays out the scriptural case. Definitely makes it clear that John Wesley wasn't pulling it from thin air, though I think a comparison to Theosis would be good to have when reading this. It list all it's sources well so gives you plenty to do follow up reading/research with, and the inclusion of John Wesley's Sermon is an amazing on hand resources!

[Michael Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watson’s primer on the doctrine Christian Perfection is powerful, convincing, and inspiring. It should be required reading for every preacher with a Methodist/Wesleyan heritage, so that we can recover the primary status of this essential Wesleyan teaching.

Watson writes in a style easily accessible to churchgoers of any background. Chapters are brief and well-organized, and so easily adapted to a small group study.