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Discovering Christian Holiness: The Heart of Wesleyan-Holiness Theology
Is Wesleyan-Holiness theology still relevant for the twenty-first century? Does Wesleyan-Holiness theology―as a vital, experiential, living and breathing theology-still exist? This study of the doctrine of Holiness examines its biblical, historical, and theological foundations, as well as the importance of the holiness life in the twenty-first century. Written with solid biblical evidence and historical insight, Discovering Christian Holiness will supply you with an understanding and awareness of holiness and its breadth, depth, and practicality.Thomas Jay Oord reviews Discovering Christian Holiness
- GenresTheologyChristianity
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 28, 2018
One of the finest books on holiness. Should not only be on every Wesleyan pastors library, it should be a continual reference. Great book!!
April 1, 2018
I bought this book while researching for a novel in which 19th century theology will be a factor, but I found the holiness theology personally relevant and read to the end past the point I needed to. I never realized Wesley put so much emphasis on transformation, an aspect of the Christian life that has great meaning for me.
January 16, 2022
Discovering Christian Holiness was designed, in part, as a textbook for university-level courses on the doctrine of holiness. It was a part of the “Centennial Initiative Textbook” project launched by Beacon Hill Press for the centennial celebration of the founding of the Church of the Nazarene.
The book contains four major sections on holiness: “Biblical Holiness,” “Holiness History,” “Holiness Theology for Today,” and “Holy Living for a New Century.” The unfolding development of the book is based “loosely” upon the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (30). The author writes “from the perspective of Wesleyan-Holiness theology to and for the generations that find themselves in today’s postmodern age” (15, cf. also 30). She attempts to make the doctrine of holiness relevant for her postmodern audience.
I have several concerns about the author’s project. First, the book portrays John Wesley as imbibing the Eastern position on the doctrine of holiness (88, 90, 98). While Wesley’s anthropology was influenced to some degree by Eastern theologians (Outler, Maddox), scholars have raised more recently some serious questions about the depth of the influence that Eastern thinkers had upon Wesley’s thought (Campbell, Collins, Heitzenrater, Noble). Eastern theologians tend to understand sin principally in terms of its effects, particularly death, whereas Western theologians, as shaped by Augustine, view sin as concupiscentia (egocentristic). Wesley’s view of sin, while it may have been shaped to some degree by Eastern theology, was fundamentally Western as reflected in his longest treatise, The Doctrine of Original Sin according to Scripture, Reason and Experience, in which he addressed the errors of John Taylor’s view of original sin. In my opinion, Leclerc does her readership a disservice in her attempt to shape the reading of Wesley as one imbibing Eastern theology.
Furthermore, I am concerned about a particular hermeneutic that Leclerc employs as she approaches Scripture. She commends reading the Bible through the “interpretive lens of soteriology” (44). Her hermeneutic is provincial: “Confusion, tension, and conflict can arise when those in a community read and interpret scriptural texts in ways inconsistent with their tradition. Reading Scripture in accord with a community’s tradition goes hand in hand with understanding that community’s theology and history” (35). Employing such a lens is, in my opinion, counterproductive to an accurate understanding of Scripture and to the inductive method, which she attributes to Wesley’s own reading of Scripture (37). She confesses, “…seeing holiness as a central theme in the Bible is an interpretative move” (34).
Additionally, Leclerc proposes another application of this interpretive lens which she calls a “hermeneutic of love” (44, 311). It entails interpreting holiness in light of God’s love (54). The hermeneutic enables one to interpret Old Testament passages subjectively in ways that do not offend postmodern sensibilities. As Leclerc states, the “hermeneutic of love eases the discomfort that comes from such disjunctive activities of God” (57).
As a result, Leclerc’s reading of the Scripture is presuppositional. Rather than deriving meaning from the text, she reads her understanding into the biblical text. Ultimately, her presuppositions undermine her desire to present a compelling doctrine of holiness. Rather than presenting a doctrine of holiness that is biblical and cogent for ecumenical and postmodern contexts, she posits a provincial and denominational doctrine.
While this book has many commendable qualities, I have seen them highlighted in other reviews, and were this a more complete review, I would mention them.
The book contains four major sections on holiness: “Biblical Holiness,” “Holiness History,” “Holiness Theology for Today,” and “Holy Living for a New Century.” The unfolding development of the book is based “loosely” upon the Wesleyan Quadrilateral (30). The author writes “from the perspective of Wesleyan-Holiness theology to and for the generations that find themselves in today’s postmodern age” (15, cf. also 30). She attempts to make the doctrine of holiness relevant for her postmodern audience.
I have several concerns about the author’s project. First, the book portrays John Wesley as imbibing the Eastern position on the doctrine of holiness (88, 90, 98). While Wesley’s anthropology was influenced to some degree by Eastern theologians (Outler, Maddox), scholars have raised more recently some serious questions about the depth of the influence that Eastern thinkers had upon Wesley’s thought (Campbell, Collins, Heitzenrater, Noble). Eastern theologians tend to understand sin principally in terms of its effects, particularly death, whereas Western theologians, as shaped by Augustine, view sin as concupiscentia (egocentristic). Wesley’s view of sin, while it may have been shaped to some degree by Eastern theology, was fundamentally Western as reflected in his longest treatise, The Doctrine of Original Sin according to Scripture, Reason and Experience, in which he addressed the errors of John Taylor’s view of original sin. In my opinion, Leclerc does her readership a disservice in her attempt to shape the reading of Wesley as one imbibing Eastern theology.
Furthermore, I am concerned about a particular hermeneutic that Leclerc employs as she approaches Scripture. She commends reading the Bible through the “interpretive lens of soteriology” (44). Her hermeneutic is provincial: “Confusion, tension, and conflict can arise when those in a community read and interpret scriptural texts in ways inconsistent with their tradition. Reading Scripture in accord with a community’s tradition goes hand in hand with understanding that community’s theology and history” (35). Employing such a lens is, in my opinion, counterproductive to an accurate understanding of Scripture and to the inductive method, which she attributes to Wesley’s own reading of Scripture (37). She confesses, “…seeing holiness as a central theme in the Bible is an interpretative move” (34).
Additionally, Leclerc proposes another application of this interpretive lens which she calls a “hermeneutic of love” (44, 311). It entails interpreting holiness in light of God’s love (54). The hermeneutic enables one to interpret Old Testament passages subjectively in ways that do not offend postmodern sensibilities. As Leclerc states, the “hermeneutic of love eases the discomfort that comes from such disjunctive activities of God” (57).
As a result, Leclerc’s reading of the Scripture is presuppositional. Rather than deriving meaning from the text, she reads her understanding into the biblical text. Ultimately, her presuppositions undermine her desire to present a compelling doctrine of holiness. Rather than presenting a doctrine of holiness that is biblical and cogent for ecumenical and postmodern contexts, she posits a provincial and denominational doctrine.
While this book has many commendable qualities, I have seen them highlighted in other reviews, and were this a more complete review, I would mention them.
May 27, 2018
I really enjoyed Diane Leclerc's treatise of wesleyan-holiness. It's a good overarching look at holiness theology. The only problem that I saw was that Leclerc never really goes in depth into sin, heaven, hell, judgment, wrath, and the other parts of the scriptures that though they may be less enjoyable than the love verses, and faith verses, are equally importance. Otherwise it was excellent, thorough, and hit the major wesleyan themes. I could've done without the social justice pushing stuff, but what can you do, people have their opinions.
June 8, 2020
Discovering Christian Holiness is a primer on the theology of Wesleyan holiness. Each chapter provides a simple structure that helps the reader digest the bite sized chunks of though. Terms are defined, the path through the chapter is defined at the start and summarized at the end, further reading suggestions are given. The writing is clear and concise. The theology is sound, with only a few openings for minor quibbles. For all the book has going for it, I do not have a specific grasp why the book seemed “thin” to me and ultimately unsatisfying.
December 10, 2018
Leclerc's book "Discovering Christian Holiness" comprehensively discusses holiness through the lens of the Wesleyan/Holiness theological tradition. She is articulate, insightful, and I had numerous "Ah Ha!" moments as I read. She answered many questions I had about the Wesleyan understanding of sanctification and cleared up much of the fogginess that clouded my head. I still have much to learn about holiness and sanctification, but this was a great start to the process!
February 9, 2022
Good content poor execution on Kindle
I was not a fan of the Kindle layout. There were no page numbers and it would have been nice to link to the glossary words in the text to the glossary definitions.
I was not a fan of the Kindle layout. There were no page numbers and it would have been nice to link to the glossary words in the text to the glossary definitions.
July 23, 2025
Great explaination of Wesleyan holiness and short history of the church. She leans very repetitive though on information. Whoever was her editor needs their eyes checked I found multiple typos and errors .
February 24, 2021
Best book I've read on Wesleyan-Holiness theology, should be required reading for every pastor in a Holiness denomination.
March 1, 2022
Overall Amanda rating: C+
This was a book used for my schooling classes. Great teaching and easy to understand my denomination and where we come from.
This was a book used for my schooling classes. Great teaching and easy to understand my denomination and where we come from.
May 17, 2021
Wonderful, well-written book, insightful on Wesley and holiness.
March 21, 2012
Helpful for understanding a Wesleyan-Holiness perspective.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews